G protein-coupled chemokine receptors induce both survival and apoptotic signaling pathways

Stacey R. Vlahakis, Angelina Villasis-Keever, Timothy Gomez, Maria Vanegas, Nicholas Vlahakis, Carlos V. Paya

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

147 Scopus citations

Abstract

Chemokine receptors are essential for triggering chemotaxis to immune cells; however, a number of them can also mediate death when engaged by nonchemokine ligands. When the chemokine receptor CXCR4 is engaged by stromal cell-derived factor (SDF1)α, it triggers cells to chemotax, and in some cell types such as neurons, causes cell death. To elucidate this dual and opposing receptor function, we have investigated whether CXCR4 activation by its chemokine SDF1α could lead to the simultaneous activation of both anti- and proapoptotic signaling pathways; the balance ultimately influencing cell survival. CXCR4 activation in CD4 T cells by SDF1α led to the activation of the prosurvival second messengers, Akt and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase. Selective inhibition of each signal demonstrated that extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase is essential for mediating SDF1α-triggered chemotaxis but does not confer an antiapoptotic state. In contrast, Akt activation through CXCR4 by SDF1α interactions is necessary to confer resistance to apoptosis. The proapoptotic signaling pathway triggered by SDF1α-CXCR4 interaction involves the G protein-independent activation of the proapoptotic MAPK (p38). Furthermore, other chemokines and chemokine receptors also signal chemotaxis and proapoptotic effects via similar pathways. Thus, G protein-coupled chemokine receptors can function as death prone receptors and the balance between the above signaling pathways will ultimately mandate the fate of the activated cell.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)5546-5554
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Immunology
Volume169
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 15 2002

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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