title: Evaluation of CHI3L-1 and CHIT-1 expression in differentiated and polarized macrophages.
abstract: Chitinase 3-like protein 1 (CHI3L-1) and chitotriosidase (CHIT-1) are members of the chitinase family. CHI3L-1 is a newly recognized protein that is secreted by activated macrophages and neutrophils and expressed in a broad spectrum of inflammatory conditions and cancers. In human plasma, CHIT-1 activity has been proposed as a biochemical marker of macrophage activation. Although CHI3L-1 expression in inflammation is under examination, little is known regarding its regulation during macrophages' full maturation and polarization. In this study, we compared CHI3L-1 and CHIT-1 modulation during monocyte to macrophage transition and polarization. Gene expression analysis was investigated by real-time PCR. We found that during the maturation of monocytes into macrophages, the expression of both CHI3L-1 and CHIT-1 increased exponentially over time. Additionally, we observed a different regulation of CHI3L-1 and CHIT-1 in undifferentiated monocytes under stimulation with lipopolysaccharide, interferon-γ, and interleukin-4, at the same concentration used to polarize macrophages. Our finding suggests that in the immune response, the role of CHI3L-1 and CHIT-1 is not restricted to innate immunity, but they are also protagonists in acquired immunity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bio-medical Sciences, University of Catania, Via Androne, 83, 95124, Catania, Italy. mdirosa@unict.it
authors.forename: Michelino
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Rosa
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Malaguarnera
authors.forename: Corinne
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: De Gregorio
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Drago
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Malaguarnera
mesh_terms: D054392:Adipokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001483:Base Sequence; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D000071451:Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1; D015870:Gene Expression; D006596:Hexosaminidases / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000494:pharmacology; D037102:Lectins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008262:Macrophage Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D050794:STAT1 Transcription Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D054392:Adipokines; C084533:CHI3L1 protein, human; D000071451:Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1; D037102:Lectins; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D050794:STAT1 Transcription Factor; C494079:STAT1 protein, human; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D006596:Hexosaminidases; C086400:chitotriosidase