CXCL17

C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 17 (CXCL17, also called DMC for dendritic cell- and macrophage-derived chemokine, or VCC-1 for vascular endothelial growth factor co-regulated chemokine 1) is a mucosa-restricted chemokine that is the smallest-ligand member of the CXC family and is structurally atypical, lacking the canonical ELR motif and standard chemokine fold conservation. CXCL17 is abundantly expressed in the mucosal epithelia of lung, stomach, colon, oral cavity and tongue, positioning it as a sentinel chemokine of mucosal surfaces. Its documented functions are dual: it is strongly chemotactic for dendritic cells and macrophages, promoting mucosal dendritic cell accumulation, and it possesses angiogenic activity, co-regulated with VEGF in tumor vasculature, supporting neovascularization. CXCL17 expression is upregulated in gastric, colorectal, oral and pancreatic cancers, generally associated with dendritic cell infiltration but often with tumor progression through angiogenesis and immunosuppressive macrophage recruitment. CXCL17 additionally exhibits antimicrobial properties, contributing to the innate defense shield of mucosal surfaces.