PLoS ONE · 2014 · 37 citations · 41 references
Ccl20-ccr6 AxisLeukocyte AttractionImmunologyInnate ImmunityImmune SystemNeuroinflammationInflammationInflammatory MarkerPneumococcal MeningitisImmune MediatorBacterial MeningitisNeuroimmunologyCcl20 LevelsAutoimmune DiseaseGranulocyteAutoimmunityBrain-immune InteractionReceptor Ccr6CytokineMedicineCsf Pleocytosis
We previously identified CCL20 as an early chemokine in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with pneumococcal meningitis but its functional relevance was unknown. Here we studied the role of CCL20 and its receptor CCR6 in pneumococcal meningitis. In a prospective nationwide study, CCL20 levels were significantly elevated in the CSF of patients with pneumococcal meningitis and correlated with CSF leukocyte counts. CCR6-deficient mice with pneumococcal meningitis and WT mice with pneumococcal meningitis treated with anti-CCL20 antibodies both had reduced CSF white blood cell counts. The reduction in CSF pleocytosis was also accompanied by an increase in brain bacterial titers. Additional in vitro experiments showed direct chemoattractant activity of CCL20 for granulocytes. In summary, our results identify the CCL20-CCR6 axis as an essential component of the innate immune defense against pneumococcal meningitis, controlling granulocyte recruitment.
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Many chemokines including CCL20/MIP-3α display antimicrobial activity
De Yang, Qian Chen, David M. Hoover et al. · Journal of Leukocyte Biology · 2003 · 455 citations