Chemokines
Product List
CCL16 Human
LEC/NCC-4 Human Recombinant
The CCL16 is purified by proprietary chromatographic techniques.
FAM19A5 Human
Family With Sequence Similarity 19 Member-A5 Human Recombinant
Lungkine Mouse
Lungkine (CXCL15) Mouse Recombinant
The CXCL15 is purified by proprietary chromatographic techniques.
Introduction
Chemokines are a family of small cytokines or signaling proteins secreted by cells. They induce directional movement of leukocytes and other cell types, including endothelial and epithelial cells . Chemokines are classified based on the arrangement of their cysteine residues into four main subfamilies: CXC, CC, CX3C, and C . These proteins are approximately 8–10 kilodaltons in mass and have four cysteine residues in conserved locations that are key to forming their 3-dimensional shape .
Chemokines exhibit key biological properties such as chemotaxis, which is the movement of cells in response to a chemical stimulus . They are expressed in various patterns and distributed across different tissues. For instance, inflammatory chemokines are produced in response to infection or injury, while homeostatic chemokines are involved in maintaining tissue architecture and function . Chemokines are found in all vertebrates, some viruses, and some bacteria .
The primary biological function of chemokines is to act as chemoattractants, guiding the migration of cells towards higher concentrations of chemokines . They play crucial roles in immune responses by recruiting immune cells to sites of infection or injury . Additionally, chemokines are involved in pathogen recognition and the activation of host immune responses .
Chemokines exert their effects by binding to G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) on the surface of target cells . This binding triggers intracellular signaling cascades, including calcium signaling, activation of small GTPases, and actin polymerization, leading to cell movement . Chemokines can also interact with other molecules and cells, forming dimers or heterocomplexes that modulate receptor signaling .
The expression and activity of chemokines are regulated through various mechanisms, including transcriptional regulation, post-translational modifications, and interactions with cell-surface glycosaminoglycans . Genetic polymorphisms, mRNA splice variations, and competitive binding interactions also play a role in regulating chemokine activity .
Chemokines have significant applications in biomedical research, serving as diagnostic tools and therapeutic targets . They are involved in cancer immunotherapy, where they help recruit immune cells to tumor sites and modulate the tumor microenvironment . Additionally, chemokines are used in developing treatments for inflammatory diseases and as biomarkers for various conditions .
Throughout the life cycle, chemokines play essential roles in development, aging, and disease . They regulate lymphoid organ development, T-cell differentiation, and tissue maintenance . In aging, chemokines are involved in the clearance of senescent cells and the regulation of immune responses . In diseases, dysregulation of chemokine expression can contribute to chronic inflammation, cancer progression, and other pathological conditions .
