Upregulation of CCL2
Upregulation of chemokine ligand (CCL2) genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
Protein levels of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and chemokine ligand-2 (CCL2) were shown to be elevated in Indian Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) patients in our previous studies. Here, we report the mRNA levels of VEGF-A and CCL2 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 50 ALS patients. Their levels were adjusted for possible confounders like cigarette smoking, alcohol and meat consumption.
Real Time PCR indicates that VEGF-A expression is 77- fold higher in ALS than controls while CCL2 mRNA has shown an increment of 9.5-fold in ALS PBMCs. Definite ALS revealed higher VEGF-A mRNA expression as compared to probable and possible ALS while CCL2 mRNA levels showed no significant difference. In patients with respiratory dysfunction VEGF-A and CCL2 levels were elevated as compared to patients without respiratory dysfunction. No association of cigarette smoking, alcohol and meat consumption with VEGF-A and CCL2 mRNA was observed upon univariate and multivariate analysis. The investigations of these molecules in cross ethnic groups can help in determining their role in enhancing the mean survival time of Indian ALS patients.
Gupta P K, Prabhakar S, Abburi C, Sharma N K, and Anand A. Vascular endothelial growth factor-A and chemokine ligand (CCL2) genes are upregulated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in Indian amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. Journal of Neuroinflammation. 2011; 8:114.
