Crosstalk between purinergic receptor P2Y11 and chemokine receptor CXCR7 is regulated by CXCR4 in human macrophages

P2Y(11) is a G protein-coupled ATP receptor that activates IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) in a cyclic AMP dependent manner. In human macrophages, P2Y(11)/IL-1R crosstalk with CCL20 as a prime target is controlled by phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4), which mediates breakdown of cyclic AMP. Here, we used gene expression analysis to identify activation of CXCR4 and CXCR7 as a hallmark of P2Y(11) signaling. We found that PDE4 inhibition with rolipram boosts P2Y(11)/IL-1R-induced upregulation of CXCR7 expression and CCL20 production in an epidermal growth factor receptor dependent manner. Using an astrocytoma cell line, naturally expressing CXCR7 but lacking CXCR4, P2Y(11)/IL-1R activation effectively induced and CXCR7 agonist TC14012 enhanced CCL20 production even in the absence of PDE4 inhibition. Moreover, CXCR7 depletion by RNA interference suppressed CCL20 production. In macrophages, the simultaneous activation of P2Y(11) and CXCR7 by their respective agonists was sufficient to induce CCL20 production with no need of PDE4 inhibition, as CXCR7 activation increased its own and eliminated CXCR4 expression. Finally, analysis of multiple CCL chemokines in the macrophage secretome revealed that CXCR4 inactivation and CXCR7 activation selectively enhanced P2Y(11)/IL-1R-mediated secretion of CCL20. Altogether, our data establish CXCR7 as an integral component of the P2Y(11)/IL-1R-initiated signaling cascade and CXCR4-associated PDE4 as a regulatory checkpoint.