Objective and design: CHRFAM7A is a unique human gene that encodes a dominant negative inhibitor of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. We have recently shown that CHRFAM7A is expressed in human leukocytes, increases cel-cell adhesion, and regulates the expression of genes associated with leukocyte migration.
Material: Human THP-1, RAW264.7 and HEK293 cells.
Methods: Cell migration, cell proliferation and colony formation in soft agar to compare the biological activity of vector vs. CHRFAM7A-transduced cells.
Results: We show that gene delivery of CHRFAM7A into the THP-1 human monocytic cell line reduces cell migration, reduces chemotaxis to monocyte chemoattractant protein, and reduces colony formation in soft agar.
Conclusion: Taken together, the findings demonstrate that CHRFAM7A regulates the biological activity of monocytes/macrophages to migrate and undergo anchorage-independent growth in vitro.
Keywords: Dup α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor; Human-specific genes; Monocyte migration; Myeloid cell self-renewal; α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.