CCR3 (CD193) is a seven-transmembrane chemokine receptor encoded by the CCR3 gene on chromosome 3p21. It binds ligands such as eotaxin (CCL11), eotaxin-3 (CCL26), RANTES (CCL5), and MCP-3 (CCL7) with varying affinities . This receptor is highly expressed on eosinophils, basophils, mast cells, Th2 lymphocytes, and airway epithelial cells .
CCR3 antibodies block receptor-ligand interactions, inhibiting downstream signaling (e.g., PI3K/AKT pathway) and cellular responses . Key effects include:
Reduced eosinophil migration: Anti-CCR3 antibodies diminish eosinophil recruitment from bone marrow to inflamed tissues .
Modulation of Th2 immunity: CCR3 knockout or antibody treatment lowers IL-4 and IL-5 (Th2 cytokines) while increasing IFN-γ (Th1 cytokine) .
Mast cell interaction: Murine studies show minimal impact on mast cell accumulation but potential inhibition of IgE-mediated activation .
In allergic cutaneous reactions, anti-CCR3 antibody reduced eosinophil infiltration by 80% without affecting CD4+ T cells or basophils .
CCR3 antibodies are explored for:
Allergic diseases: Asthma, rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis via eosinophil pathway inhibition .
Gastrointestinal inflammation: Mitigating eosinophilic gastroenteritis .
Parasitic infections: Targeting eosinophil-driven immune responses .
Partial efficacy: Despite reducing eosinophil counts, symptom relief in models like EGE remains modest, implicating mast cells or other pathways .
Species-specific effects: Murine mast cells show negligible CCR3 dependency compared to humans .
Dosing variability: Efficacy in AR models depended on administration route (intraperitoneal > intranasal) .
Here’s a structured FAQ collection for CCR3 antibody research, synthesized from peer-reviewed studies and patents:
Methodology:
Use Western blotting with CCR3-transfected cell lysates to confirm target binding (e.g., studies demonstrated specificity using HEK293 cells expressing CCR3) .
Employ flow cytometry with CCR3-knockout cells or competitive binding assays using CCR3 ligands (e.g., CCL11/eotaxin) .
Validate via immunohistochemistry in tissues with known CCR3 expression (e.g., eosinophil-rich lung sections in allergic asthma models) .
Approach:
Ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized mice: Standard for allergic asthma/rhinitis, enabling assessment of eosinophil infiltration, mucus hypersecretion, and cytokine profiles .
Key endpoints:
Troubleshooting:
Dose optimization: Test multiple concentrations (e.g., 5–20 µL/mg in murine models) .
Administration route: Compare intraperitoneal (systemic) vs. intranasal (localized) delivery .
Model heterogeneity: Standardize allergen exposure protocols (e.g., OVA challenge duration, adjuvant use) .
Critical residues: Alanine scanning revealed Ala2, Phe3, Asn4, Thr5 in the N-terminus are essential for antibody binding .
Functional implications:
Antibody Clone | Epitope Region | Impact on CCR3 Function |
---|---|---|
C3Mab-3 | N-terminal | Blocks ligand binding (CCL11/CCL5) |
C3Mab-4 | N-terminal | Partial inhibition of chemotaxis |
J073E5 | N-terminal | Reduces eosinophil migration by 80% |
Context-dependent effects:
Mechanistic overlap: CCR3 antibodies may concurrently upregulate regulatory T-cells (Tregs), complicating cytokine profiles .
Adjuvant immunotherapy: Co-administer CpG oligonucleotides to shift Th2/Th1 balance .
Dual cytokine targeting: Pair with anti-IL-5 antibodies to amplify eosinophil suppression .
Dosage schedule:
Combination Partner | Timing Relative to CCR3 mAb | Outcome Improvement |
---|---|---|
Dexamethasone | 24 hours post-mAb | ↓ Mucus production |
Anti-IL-4Rα | Concurrent administration | ↓ IL-13 by 40% |
Use species-matched antibodies: Murine CCR3 mAbs (e.g., C3Mab-3) show <10% cross-reactivity with human CCR3 .
Validate in primary cells: Test eosinophils from atopic donors to confirm clinical relevance .