title: CCL25/CCR9 interactions regulate the function of iNKT cells in oxazolone-induced colitis in mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Natural killer T (NKT) cells share phenotypic and functional properties with both conventional natural killer cells and T cells. These cells might have an important role in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC). The interaction of chemokine ligand 25 (CCL25) with chemokine receptor 9 (CCR9) is involved in gut-specific migration of leukocytes and induces regulatory T cells (Tregs) to migrate to the intestine in chronic ileitis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In UC patients, NKT receptor CD161, CCL25, and CCR9 expression levels were evaluated by qRT-PCR. A murine model of oxazolone-induced colitis was induced in BALB/c mice. The mRNA levels of NK1.1, CCL25 and CCR9, and pro-inflammatory cytokines in mice were evaluated. The CCR9 expression on Type I or invariant NKT (iNKT) cells, and the iNKT cells chemotaxis are observed according to flow cytometry. NKT receptor CD161, CCL25 and CCR9 expression levels were significantly increased in UC patients. And, the mRNA expression levels of NK1.1, CCL25 and CCR9 were increased in oxazolone-induced colitis in mice. The production of pro-inflammatory cytokines was significantly increased, especially interleukin 4 (IL-4), IL-10 and IL-13. We observed significantly increased CCR9 expression on iNKT cells. Furthermore, we found an increased iNKT population and enhanced chemotaxis during oxazolone-induced colitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study suggests that CCL25/CCR9 interactions may promote the induction and function of iNKT cells during oxazolone-induced colitis. These findings may have important implications for UC treatment and suggest a role for CCR9 inhibitors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, P. R. China; The Hubei Clinical Center & Key Laboratory of Intestinal & Colorectal Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Siying
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: The Hubei Clinical Center & Key Laboratory of Intestinal & Colorectal Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Yuntao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bing
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, P. R. China; The Hubei Clinical Center & Key Laboratory of Intestinal & Colorectal Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Xiaobing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: The Hubei Clinical Center & Key Laboratory of Intestinal & Colorectal Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Qiao
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Yipeng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, P. R. China; The Hubei Clinical Center & Key Laboratory of Intestinal & Colorectal Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Shufang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, P. R. China; The Hubei Clinical Center & Key Laboratory of Intestinal & Colorectal Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Lu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, P. R. China; The Hubei Clinical Center & Key Laboratory of Intestinal & Colorectal Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Xintao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, P. R. China; The Hubei Clinical Center & Key Laboratory of Intestinal & Colorectal Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, P. R. China; The Hubei Clinical Center & Key Laboratory of Intestinal & Colorectal Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Youqing
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, P. R. China; The Hubei Clinical Center & Key Laboratory of Intestinal & Colorectal Diseases, Wuhan, Hubei, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zhou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019742:Chemokines, CC / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003092:Colitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008875:Middle Aged; D055611:Natural Killer T-Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D010081:Oxazolone / Q000633:toxicity*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D054388:Receptors, CCR / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C119309:CC chemokine receptor 9; C491541:Ccl25 protein, mouse; D019742:Chemokines, CC; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D054388:Receptors, CCR; D010081:Oxazolone