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Evaluation of CHI3L-1 and CHIT-1 Expression in Differentiated and Polarized Macrophages

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Abstract

Chitinase 3-like protein 1 (CHI3L-1) and chitotriosidase (CHIT-1) are members of the chitinase family. CHI3L-1 is a newly recognized protein that is secreted by activated macrophages and neutrophils and expressed in a broad spectrum of inflammatory conditions and cancers. In human plasma, CHIT-1 activity has been proposed as a biochemical marker of macrophage activation. Although CHI3L-1 expression in inflammation is under examination, little is known regarding its regulation during macrophages’ full maturation and polarization. In this study, we compared CHI3L-1 and CHIT-1 modulation during monocyte to macrophage transition and polarization. Gene expression analysis was investigated by real-time PCR. We found that during the maturation of monocytes into macrophages, the expression of both CHI3L-1 and CHIT-1 increased exponentially over time. Additionally, we observed a different regulation of CHI3L-1 and CHIT-1 in undifferentiated monocytes under stimulation with lipopolysaccharide, interferon-γ, and interleukin-4, at the same concentration used to polarize macrophages. Our finding suggests that in the immune response, the role of CHI3L-1 and CHIT-1 is not restricted to innate immunity, but they are also protagonists in acquired immunity.

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Acknowledgments

Giulia Malaguarnera is supported by the International Ph.D. Program in Neuropharmacology (Coordinator Prof. Filippo Drago), University of Catania Medical School, Catania, Italy. We thank Dr. Filomena Biazzo and Dr. Michele Tuttobene of the Transfusional Centre “Garibaldi” Hospital, Catania, S. Immuno-Haematology and Transfusional Medicine, for providing the buffy coats.

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The authors state that they do not have conflict of interest to declare.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Bio-medical Sciences, University of Catania, Via Androne, 83, 95124, Catania, Italy

    Michelino Di Rosa, Corinne De Gregorio & Lucia Malaguarnera

  2. Department of Clinical and Molecular Biomedicine, Section of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, University of Catania, Catania, Italy

    Giulia Malaguarnera & Filippo Drago

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  1. Michelino Di Rosa
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  2. Giulia Malaguarnera
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Di Rosa, M., Malaguarnera, G., De Gregorio, C. et al. Evaluation of CHI3L-1 and CHIT-1 Expression in Differentiated and Polarized Macrophages. Inflammation 36, 482–492 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10753-012-9569-8

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