Allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1) is a 17 kDa cytokine-inducible calcium-binding protein that in vertebrates plays an important role in allografts immune response and vasculopathy. . Its expression is mostly limited to the monocyte/macrophage lineage, and augmented by cytokines such as IFN-gamma. Recently it was assumed that AIF-1 was a novel molecule involved in inflammatory responses, allograft rejection, as well as in the activation of macrophages. To better clarify these aspects in the present study we investigated activation of AIF-1 in macrophage of injured medicinal leech (Hirudo medicinalis), and its potential role in wound healing. We focused our studies on this invertebrate since it has a relative anatomical simplicity and is a reliable model for studying a variety of basic events, such as inflammation or tissue repair, which have a striking similarity with vertebrate responses. The analysis of an EST library from medicinal leech CNS, revealed the presence of a gene, named HmAif-1, showing a high homology with vertebrate AIF-1. Immunohistochemistry using an anti AIF-1 polyclonal antibody showed that HmAif-1 is constitutively present in spread, CD68+ macrophage-like cells. A few days after experimental wounding of the body wall, the amount of these immunopositive cells increases at the lesion site. Our data suggest that in leech this factor is involved in immune response and in inflammation events like its vertebrate counterparts.
Identification and expression of an Allograft Inflammatory Factor-1 (AIF-1) homologous in Hirudo medicinalisthe (medicinal leech).
DE EGUILEOR, MAGDA ANNA;VALVASSORI, ROBERTO;GRIMALDI, ANNALISA
2012-01-01
Abstract
Allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1) is a 17 kDa cytokine-inducible calcium-binding protein that in vertebrates plays an important role in allografts immune response and vasculopathy. . Its expression is mostly limited to the monocyte/macrophage lineage, and augmented by cytokines such as IFN-gamma. Recently it was assumed that AIF-1 was a novel molecule involved in inflammatory responses, allograft rejection, as well as in the activation of macrophages. To better clarify these aspects in the present study we investigated activation of AIF-1 in macrophage of injured medicinal leech (Hirudo medicinalis), and its potential role in wound healing. We focused our studies on this invertebrate since it has a relative anatomical simplicity and is a reliable model for studying a variety of basic events, such as inflammation or tissue repair, which have a striking similarity with vertebrate responses. The analysis of an EST library from medicinal leech CNS, revealed the presence of a gene, named HmAif-1, showing a high homology with vertebrate AIF-1. Immunohistochemistry using an anti AIF-1 polyclonal antibody showed that HmAif-1 is constitutively present in spread, CD68+ macrophage-like cells. A few days after experimental wounding of the body wall, the amount of these immunopositive cells increases at the lesion site. Our data suggest that in leech this factor is involved in immune response and in inflammation events like its vertebrate counterparts.
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