We previously showed that both high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) and natural killer (NK) cells contribute to respiratory
syncytial virus (RSV)-induced persistent airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). Meanwhile,
Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 12 (CXCL12) and its specific receptor (chemokine receptor 4, CXCR4) play important
roles in recruitment of immune cells. CXCL12 has been reported to form a complex with HMGB1 that binds to CXCR4 and
increases inflammatory cell migration. The relationship between HMGB1, NK cells and chemokines in RSV-infected model
remains unclear. An anti-HMGB1 neutralizing antibody and inhibitor of CXCR4 (AMD3100) was administered to observe
changes of NK cells and airway disorders in nude mice and BALB/c mice. Results showed that the mRNA expression and
protein levels of HMGB1 were elevated in late stage of RSV infection and persistent airway inflammation and AHR were
diminished after administration of anti-HMGB1 antibodies, with an associated significant decrease in CXCR4+
NK cells. In
addition, CXCL12 and CXCR4 were reduced after HMGB1 blockade. Treatment with AMD3100 significantly suppressed
the recruitment of NK cells and alleviated the airway disorders. Thus, CXCL12/CXCR4 axis is involved in the recruitment
of NK cells by HMGB1, contributing to persistent airway inflammation and AHR during the late stage of RSV infection.
Citations
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