Duffy antigen receptor for chemokines (Darc) polymorphism regulates circulating concentrations of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and other inflammatory mediators

Renate B. Schnabel, Jens Baumert, Maja Barbalic, Josée Dupuis, Patrick T. Ellinor, Peter Durda, Abbas Dehghan, Joshua C. Bis, Thomas Illig, Alanna C. Morrison, Nancy S. Jenny, John F. Keaney, Christian Gieger, Cathy Tilley, Jennifer F. Yamamoto, Natalie Khuseyinova, Gerardo Heiss, Margaret Doyle, Stefan Blankenberg, Christian HerderJeremy D. Walston, Yanyan Zhu, Ramachandran S. Vasan, Norman Klopp, Eric Boerwinkle, Martin G. Larson, Bruce M. Psaty, Annette Peters, Christie M. Ballantyne, Jacqueline C.M. Witteman, Ron C. Hoogeveen, Emelia J. Benjamin, Wolfgang Koenig, Russell P. Tracy

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

94 Scopus citations

Abstract

To identify the genetic basis of circulating concentrations of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), we conducted genome-wide association analyses for MCP-1 in 3 independent cohorts (n = 9598). The strongest association was for serum MCP-1 with a nonsynonymous polymorphism, rs12075 (Asp42Gly) in DARC, the gene for Duffy antigen receptor for chemokines, a known vascular reservoir of proinflammatory cytokines (minor allele frequency, 45.6%; P < 1.0 * 10-323). This association was supported by family-based genetic linkage at a locus encompassing the DARC gene (genome-wide P = 8.0 * 10-13). Asp42Gly accounted for approximately 20% of the variability in serum MCP-1 concentrations and also was associated with serum concentrations of interleukin-8 and RANTES. While exploring a lack of association between this polymorphism and EDTA plasma MCP-1 concentrations (P = .82), we determined that both clotting and exogenous heparan sulfate (unfractionated heparin) released substantial amounts of MCP-1 from Darc. Quantitative immuno-flow cytometry failed to identify meaningful Asp42Gly-associated differences in Darc expression, suggesting that a functional change is responsible for the differential cytokine binding. We conclude that Asp42Gly is a major regulator of erythrocyte Darc-mediated cytokine binding and thereby the circulating concentrations of several proinflammatory cytokines. We have also identified for the first time 2 mechanisms for the release of reservoir chemokines with possible clinical implications.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)5289-5299
Number of pages11
JournalBlood
Volume115
Issue number26
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1 2010

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Immunology
  • Hematology
  • Cell Biology

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