CCL13

CCL13, also known as monocyte chemotactic protein MCP-4, is a small cell factor belonging to the CC chemokine family and is located on human chromosome 17. At the amino acid level, human CCL13 shares 65% identity with human CCL2. CCL13 can act as a chemoattractant for monocytes, macrophages, T lymphocytes, immature DCs, eosinophils, and basophils by binding to cell surface G protein-linked chemokine receptors such as CCR1, CCR2, CCR3, CCR5, and CCR11. CCL13 also induces histamine release from basophils and eosinophil degranulation, and causes expression of adhesion molecules and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in endothelial cells, epithelial cells and muscle cells^[1]. CCL13 plays a role in leukocyte accumulation on both sides of allergic and non-allergic inflammation. Studies have shown that CCL13 is upregulated in asthma and allergic rhinitis and is associated with the number of monocytes/macrophages and eosinophils recruited in the airways of patients. It may be involved in the recruitment of monocytes to the arterial wall during atherosclerotic disease and plays a role in the attraction of monocytes in tissues chronically exposed to exogenous pathogens. ccl13 may also contribute to the development of drug resistance in tumor cells by promoting apoptosis and drug resistance^[2].