title: Human C-C chemokine receptor 3 monoclonal antibody inhibits pulmonary inflammation in allergic mice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of C-C chemokine receptor 3 (CCR3) blockade on pulmonary inflammation and mucus production in allergic mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used the synthetic peptide of the CCR3 NH2-terminal as the immunizing antigen and generated murine monoclonal antibody against the human CCR3. In addition, the generated antibody was administered to mice sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin. The inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage, cytokine levels, pulmonary histopathology, and mucus secretion were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Western blotting analysis indicated that the generated antibody bound to CCR3 specifically. The allergic mice treated with the antihuman CCR3 antibody exhibited a significant reduction of pulmonary inflammation accompanied with the alteration of cytokine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The antibody we generated was specific to CCR3. The inhibition of airway inflammation and mucus overproduction by the antibody suggested that the blockade of CCR3 is an appealing therapeutical target for asthma. The present research may provide an experimental basis for the further study of this agent.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Medical School of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China. doctorhuxi@163.com
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Hua-hao
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Wen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hua-qiong
authors.initials: HQ
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009093:Mucus / Q000378:metabolism; D010047:Ovalbumin; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism*; D054397:Receptors, CCR3 / Q000276:immunology*; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016207:Cytokines; D054397:Receptors, CCR3; D010047:Ovalbumin