Human glioma tumors express high levels of the chemokine receptor CX3CR1.
The chemokine receptor CX3CR1 and its cognate ligand CX3CL1 (also known as fractalkine), are involved in central nervous system pathophysiology, in particular, in the cross-talk between neurons and microglia. It was therefore important to investigate the expression of CX3CR1 in gliomas, the most frequently occurring, malignant brain tumors. In a consecutive series of 70 patients with primary, central nervous glial tumors, CX3CR1 was highly expressed in tumor cells as assessed by RT-PCR mRNA and protein levels, and by immunohistochemistry, while the corresponding normal cells were negative. Receptor immuno-positivity did not correlate with histology, grade, chromosomal (1p,19q) deletion, or with methylation of the DNA repair gene promoter MGMT (O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase). Thus, CX3CR1 expression is a frequent event in gliomas, irrespective of tumor classification and clinical severity. The molecular basis underlying CX3CR1 up-regulation and its functional biological significance remain to be determined.
Locatelli
Marco
M
Neurosurgery, Fondazione IRCCS, Ca'Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Mangiagalli e Regina Elena, Milan, Italy.
Boiocchi
Leonardo
L
Ferrero
Stefano
S
Martinelli Boneschi
Filippo
F
Zavanone
Mario
M
Pesce
Samantha
S
Allavena
Paola
P
Maria Gaini
Sergio
S
Bello
Lorenzo
L
Mantovani
Alberto
A
D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000073883:CX3C Chemokine Receptor 1; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D005910:Glioma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D000073883:CX3C Chemokine Receptor 1; C095235:CX3CR1 protein, human; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine