CXCR3 antagonist NBI-74330 attenuates atherosclerotic plaque formation in LDL receptor-deficient mice.
OBJECTIVE
The chemokine receptor CXCR3 is implicated in migration of leukocytes to sites of inflammation. Antagonizing CXCR3 may be a strategy to inhibit inflammation-induced leukocyte migration and subsequently reduce atherosclerosis. We used the CXCR3 specific antagonist NBI-74330 to block CXCR3-mediated signaling in peritonitis and diet-induced atherosclerosis.


RESULTS
Antagonizing CXCR3 with NBI-74330 resulted in a significant reduction in CD4+ T cell and macrophage migration to the peritoneal cavity, which was as shown in ex vivo migration studies totally CXCR3 dependent. Atherosclerotic lesion formation in the aortic valve leaflet area and the entire aorta was significantly inhibited in NBI-74330 treated mice. Lymph nodes draining from the aortic arch were significantly smaller in treated mice and were enriched in regulatory T cells and contained fewer activated T cells, whereas the markers for regulatory T cells within the lesion were enhanced after NBI-74330 treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows for the first time that treatment with a CXCR3 antagonist results in attenuating atherosclerotic lesion formation by blocking direct migration of CXCR3+ effector cells from the circulation into the atherosclerotic plaque and by beneficially modulating the inflammatory response in the lesion and the lymph nodes draining from the atherosclerotic lesion.
van Wanrooij
Eva J A
EJ
Division of Biopharmaceutics, Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands.
de Jager
Saskia C A
SC
van Es
Thomas
T
de Vos
Paula
P
Birch
Helen L
HL
Owen
David A
DA
Watson
Robbert J
RJ
Biessen
Erik A L
EA
Chapman
Gayle A
GA
van Berkel
Theo J C
TJ
Kuiper
Johan
J
D000081:Acetamides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects*; D004036:Diet, Atherogenic; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D054367:Receptors, CXCR3 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011973:Receptors, LDL / Q000172:deficiency*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000187:drug effects
D000081:Acetamides; C515188:Cxcr3 protein, mouse; C501976:NBI-74330; D011743:Pyrimidines; D054367:Receptors, CXCR3; D011973:Receptors, LDL