title: The peptide analogue of MCP-1 65-76 sequence is an inhibitor of inflammation.
abstract: Inflammation plays an important role in vessel wall remodeling that occurs in atherosclerosis and postangioplasty restenosis. Monocytic chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is one of the main attractors of monocytes and some lymphocyte subsets to the damaged vessel. The aims of the study were to confirm MCP-1 participation in the development of acute coronary syndromes, to produce the potential MCP-1 peptide antagonist, and to investigate its effects in vitro and in vivo in different animal models of inflammation. MCP-1 plasma concentration was measured by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Chemokine receptor expression by cells isolated from human atherosclerotic lesions was assessed by direct immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. MCP-1 sequence was analyzed with Peptide Companion software and peptides were synthesized using Fmoc strategy. The peptide resistance to degradation was checked by 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The peptide effect on MCP-1-stimulated cell migration was studied in Boyden chamber and in mouse air pouch model, and its influence on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory cell recruitment was investigated in models of subcutaneous inflammation in rats and nonhuman primates. We revealed nearly a 2-fold increase of MCP-1 plasma level in patients with unstable angina in comparison with patients with stable angina. The atherosclerotic plaque specimens obtained from patients with unstable angina contained a significant amount of chemokine receptor-expressing leukocytes. Peptide from MCP-1 C-terminal 65-76 sequence (peptide X) inhibited MCP-1-stimulated monocytic cell migration in vitro and in vivo. Peptide X labeled with 99mTc accumulated specifically at sites of inflammation in rats. Peptide X administrated i.m and i.v. suppressed monocyte and granulocyte recruitment induced by subcutaneous injection of LPS in the back of rats and non-human primates. Our data demonstrate that MCP-1-mediated chemotaxis could be responsible for atherosclerotic plaque "destabilization". Peptide X may represent a new class of anti-inflammatory drugs to be used in cardiology.
authors.affiliation: Russian Cardiology Research Complex, 3 Cherepkovskaya, 15a, Moscow 121552 Russia.
authors.forename: Evgeny I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Chazov
authors.forename: Janna D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Bespalova
authors.forename: Tatiana I
authors.initials: TI
authors.lastname: Arefieva
authors.forename: Nadezhda B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Kukhtina
authors.forename: Maria V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Sidorova
authors.forename: Sergey I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Provatorov
authors.forename: Tatiana L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Krasnikova
mesh_terms: D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000097:blood; D000789:Angina, Unstable / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002460:Cell Line; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D002633:Chemotaxis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; C111835:CCL2 protein, human; D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D010446:Peptide Fragments