TNF‐α and IL‐4 regulate expression of fractalkine (CX3CL1) as a membrane‐anchored proadhesive protein and soluble chemotactic peptide on human fibroblasts

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Abstract
The CX3C chemokine, fractalkine (FKN, CX3CL1), has multiple functions and exists as two distinct forms, a membrane‐anchored protein and a soluble chemotactic peptide that cleaves from the cell surface FKN. In this study, we first demonstrated the expression of FKN in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α‐ and interleukin (IL)‐4‐stimulated human fibroblasts. The induction of FKN was observed for both forms. We also demonstrated monocyte chemotactic activity in the culture supernatant from the fibroblasts stimulated with these cytokines. These results suggest that TNF‐α‐ and IL‐4‐stimulated fibroblasts may play an important role in accumulation of monocytes at inflammatory sites.