Anti-CCL11 monoclonal antibody, clone T2

Eotaxins are C-C motif chemokines first identified as potent eosinophil chemoattractants. They facilitate eosinophil recruitment to sites of inflammation in response to parasitic infections as well as allergic and autoimmune diseases such as asthma, atopic dermatitis, and inflammatory bowel disease. The eotaxin family currently includes three members: eotaxin-1 (CCL11), eotaxin-2 (CCL24), and eotaxin-3 (CCL26). Despite having only similar to 30% sequence homology to one another, each was identified based on its ability to bind the chemokine receptor, CCR3. Beyond their role in innate immunity, recent studies have shown that CCL11 and related molecules may directly contribute to degenerative processes in the central nervous system (CNS). CCL11 levels increase in the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid of both mice and humans as part of normal aging. In mice, these increases are associated with declining neurogenesis and impaired cognition and memory. In humans, elevated plasma levels of CCL11 have been observed in Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease, and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis when compared to age-matched, healthy controls. Since CCL11 is capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier of normal mice, it is plausible that eotaxins generated in the periphery may exert physiological and pathological actions in the CNS. Here, we briefly review known functions of eotaxin family members during innate immunity, and then focus on whether and how these molecules might participate in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Background: There is increasing appreciation for sexually dimorphic effects, but the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects are only partially understood. In the present study, we explored transcriptomics and epigenetic differences in the small intestine and colon of prepubescent male and female mice. In addition, the microbiota composition of the colonic luminal content has been examined. Methods: At postnatal day 14, male and female C57BL/6 mice were sacrificed and the small intestine, colon and content of luminal colon were isolated. Gene expression of both segments of the intestine was analysed by microarray analysis. DNA methylation of the promoter regions of selected sexually dimorphic genes was examined by pyrosequencing. Composition of the microbiota was explored by deep sequencing. Results: Sexually dimorphic genes were observed in both segments of the intestine of 2- week- old mouse pups, with a stronger effect in the small intestine. Amongst the total of 349 genes displaying a sexually dimorphic effect in the small intestine and/or colon, several candidates exhibited a previously established function in the intestine (i. e. Nts, Nucb2, Alox5ap and Retnl.). In addition, differential expression of genes linked to intestinal bowel disease (i. e. Ccr3, Ccl11 and Tnfr) and colorectal cancer development (i. e. Wt1 and Mmp25) was observed between males and females. Amongst the genes displaying significant sexually dimorphic expression, nine genes were histone- modifying enzymes, suggesting that epigenetic mechanisms might be a potential underlying regulatory mechanism. However, our results reveal no significant changes in DNA methylation of analysed CpGs within the selected differentially expressed genes. With respect to the bacterial community composition in the colon, a dominant effect of litter origin was found but no significant sex effect was detected. However, a sex effect on the dominance of specific taxa was observed. Conclusions: This study reveals molecular dissimilarities between males and females in the small intestine and colon of prepubescent mice, which might underlie differences in physiological functioning and in disease predisposition in the two sexes.