Predictive Role of CC-Chemokine Ligand 2 in Digestive System Cancers: A Meta-Analysis

Background: CC-chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) expression as a prognostic factor in digestive system cancers (DSCs) is inconclusive. Methods:Thus, our aim was to summarize the prognostic role of CCL2 in DSCs. Electronic database was carefully searched. Studies focusing on CCL2 expression as a prognostic marker in DSCs were included for analysis. Pooled data for survival outcomes and clinical features were recorded in terms of the hazard ratio (HR) or odds ratio (OR) and the 95% confidence interval (CI).Results: In all,1,458 patients with DSCs from 11 studies were included for analysis.The pooled data revealed that high CCL2 expression group was more easy to occur the presence of distal metastases (OR = 3.83, 95% CI: 1.98–7.38, P < 0.001), severer tumor invasion (OR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.31–4.34, P = 0.005), and advanced Tumor Nodal Metastasis stages (OR = 2.47, 95% CI: 1.12–5.45, P = 0.02). Moreover, poorer overall survival (HR = 2.09, P < 0.001) were observed in the group with high CCL2 expression. High levels of CCL2 also indicated dismay disease-free survival (HR = 1.87, P = 0.005) .Conclusions: Our findings indicate that CCL2 can serve as a prognostic indicator in DSCs.

The anti-inflammatory peptide Catestatin blocks chemotaxis

Increased levels of the anti-inflammatory peptide catestatin (CST), a cleavage product of the pro-hormone chromogranin A, correlates with less severe outcomes in hypertension, colitis and diabetes. However, it is unknown how CST reduces the infiltration of monocytes and macrophages in inflamed tissues. Here, we report that CST blocks leukocyte migration towards inflammatory chemokines. By in vitro and in vivo migration assays, we show that although CST itself is weakly chemotactic, it blocks migration of monocytes and granulocytes to inflammatory attracting factor CC-chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) and macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP-2). Moreover, it directs CX3CR1+ macrophages away from pancreatic islets. These findings support the emerging notion that CST is a key anti-inflammatory modulator.

Study on plasma CC chemokine ligand 2 level and its promoter region 2518A/G polymorphism in MS patients

The increase of CC chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) is associated with multiple sclerosis (MS), but the relationship between gene promoter region 2518A/G and the pathogenesis of MS is still not obvious. Collected 54 cases of relapsing-remitting MS patients and 54 healthy controls. By detecting the CCL2-2518A/G polymorphism of MS patients and analyzing the plasma CCL2 level. High levels of A/A genotype and A allele frequency in serum CCL2 and PBMC were found in MS patients. The serum CCL2 of MS patients with A/A genotype is higher than other genotypes. Lipopolysaccharide stimulated PBMC, CCL2 levels in the supernatant of all genotypes were higher, and the A/A genotype levels of MS patients were the highest. Finally, CCL2-2518A/G polymorphism is related to the pathogenesis of MS.