Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 16 (CCL16) is a small cytokine belonging to the CC chemokine family that is known under several pseudonyms, including Liver-expressed chemokine (LEC) and Monotactin-1 (MTN-1). This chemokine is expressed by the liver, thymus, and spleen and is chemoattractive for monocytes and lymphocytes.[1] Cellular expression of CCL16 can be strongly induced in monocytes by IL-10, IFN-γ and bacterial lipopolysaccharide. Its gene is located on chromosome 17, in humans, among a cluster of other CC chemokines.[2] CCL16 elicits its effects on cells by interacting with cell surface chemokine receptors such as CCR1, CCR2, CCR5 and CCR8.[3][4]
C-C motif chemokine ligand 16 has been found in high levels in the blood plasma of humans.[5]
CCL16 may be useful for trafficking eosinophils. This ligand has been found to have a functional affinity for H4 receptors that are expressed by eosinophils and mast cells.[5]
This chemokine has been shown to suppress rapid proliferation of myeloid progenitor cells.[6]
References
^Youn BS, Zhang S, Broxmeyer HE, Antol K, Fraser MJ, Hangoc G, Kwon BS (June 1998). "Isolation and characterization of LMC, a novel lymphocyte and monocyte chemoattractant human CC chemokine, with myelosuppressive activity". Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 247 (2): 217–22. doi:10.1006/bbrc.1998.8762. PMID9642106.
^Nomiyama H, Fukuda S, Iio M, Tanase S, Miura R, Yoshie O (March 1999). "Organization of the chemokine gene cluster on human chromosome 17q11.2 containing the genes for CC chemokine MPIF-1, HCC-2, HCC-1, LEC, and RANTES". Journal of Interferon & Cytokine Research. 19 (3): 227–34. doi:10.1089/107999099314153. PMID10213461.
