Fig. 10: CXCR2 is expressed in human DRG neurons and CXCL5 is elevated in serum of acute gout arthritis patients.

A CXCR1 and CXCR2 gene expression in human DRG by PCR. The experiment has been repeated three times. B Immunostaining showing co-expression of CXCR2 with NeuN in human DRG. Scale bar = 100 µm. White dashed box area is further enlarged and shown in the right panel. The data is summarized from six observational fields. C–F Ca²⁺ imaging using HEK293T cells transfected with plasmids containing empty vector (C), human CXCR2 (D), human TRPA1 (E), or human CXCR2+human TRPA1 (F). Recombinant human CXCL5 (rhCXCL5, 100 nM) and AITC (100 μM) were used to challenge the cells. Ionomycin (10 μM) was applied at the end to light up all live cells. G Summary of the effects of rhCXCL5 on HEK293T cells. **p < 0.01. H, I Serum IL-1β and CXCL5 levels in healthy control and gout arthritis patients. **p < 0.01. J and K Correlation of serum CXCL5 level with serum levels of uric acid or IL-1β from gout arthritis patients. One-way ANOVA with Bonferroni’s post hoc test for panel (G). Student’s unpaired t-test (two-tailed) for panels (I and J). Linear regression analysis for panels (J and K). Data are shown as mean ± SEM. The n number, exact p-value, and statistical results are provided as a Source Data file.