Chemokine RANTES is upregulated in monocytes from patients with hyperhomocysteinemia.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the changes in plasma level of the chemokine RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T cells expressed and secreted) and the responsiveness of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RANTES secretion from monocytes in patients with hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy).


METHODS
The plasma levels of homocysteine (Hcy), folate, and RANTES were measured in 38 control patients with normal Hcy levels and 40 patients with HHcy and the mRNA synthesis of RANTES in isolated human monocytes was determined by RNase protection assays.


RESULTS
The plasma level of RANTES was elevated in HHcy patients compared with controls (median 5.3 vs 3.5 ng/mL, P<0.01). LPS-induced RANTES production from monocytes of HHcy patients was also increased significantly. In addition, Hcy directly increased the mRNA level of RANTES in isolated normal human monocytes in a time- and dose-dependent manner.


CONCLUSIONS
Upregulated RANTES from monocytes in HHcy patients may be involved in the atherogenesis of HHcy-induced atherosclerosis.
Sun
Wei
W
Institute of Vascular Medicine, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China.
Wang
Guang
G
Zhang
Zhen-min
ZM
Zeng
Xiao-kun
XK
Wang
Xian
X
D000328:Adult; D018946:Chemokine CCL5 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics
D018946:Chemokine CCL5; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D006710:Homocysteine; D005492:Folic Acid