Secondary lymphoid tissue chemokine (SLC/CCL21)/CCR7 signaling regulates fibrocytes in renal fibrosis

N Sakai, T Wada, H Yokoyama… - Proceedings of the …, 2006 - National Acad Sciences
N Sakai, T Wada, H Yokoyama, M Lipp, S Ueha, K Matsushima, S Kaneko
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2006National Acad Sciences
Fibrocytes are a distinct population of bloodborne cells that share markers of leukocytes as
well as mesenchymal cells. We hypothesized that CCR7-positive fibrocytes migrate into the
kidney in response to secondary lymphoid tissue chemokine (SLC/CCL21) and contribute to
renal fibrosis. To investigate this hypothesis, renal fibrosis was induced by unilateral ureteral
obstruction in mice. A considerable number of fibrocytes dual-positive for CD45 and type I
collagen (ColI) or CD34 and ColI infiltrated the interstitium, reaching a peak on day 7. Most …
Fibrocytes are a distinct population of bloodborne cells that share markers of leukocytes as well as mesenchymal cells. We hypothesized that CCR7-positive fibrocytes migrate into the kidney in response to secondary lymphoid tissue chemokine (SLC/CCL21) and contribute to renal fibrosis. To investigate this hypothesis, renal fibrosis was induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction in mice. A considerable number of fibrocytes dual-positive for CD45 and type I collagen (ColI) or CD34 and ColI infiltrated the interstitium, reaching a peak on day 7. Most fibrocytes were positive for CCR7, and CCL21/CCR7 blockade reduced the number of infiltrating fibrocytes. CCL21 and MECA79 dual-positive vessels were also detected in the interstitium. The blockade of CCL21/CCR7 signaling by anti-CCL21 antibodies reduced renal fibrosis, which was confirmed by a decrease in fibrosis in CCR7-null mice with concomitant reduction in renal transcripts of pro α1 chain of ColI and TGF-β1. The number of F4/80-positive macrophages decreased along with renal transcripts of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1/CCL2) after the blockade of CCL21/CCR7 signaling. These findings suggest that CCR7-positive fibrocytes infiltrate the kidney via CCL21-positive vessels, thereby contributing to the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis. Thus, the CCL21/CCR7 signaling of fibrocytes may provide therapeutic targets for combating renal fibrosis.
National Acad Sciences