Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 16 (CCL16) is a smallcytokine belonging to the CCchemokine family that is known under severalpseudonyms, including Liver-expressed chemokine (LEC) and Monotactin-1 (MTN-1). This chemokine is expressed by theliver,thymus, andspleen and is chemoattractive formonocytes andlymphocytes.[1] Cellular expression of CCL16 can be strongly induced in monocytes byIL-10,IFN-γ and bacteriallipopolysaccharide. Itsgene is located onchromosome 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 asCCR1,CCR2,CCR5 andCCR8.[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]
^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.Bibcode:1998BBRC..247..217Y.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.
^Howard OM, Dong HF, Shirakawa AK, Oppenheim JJ (August 2000). "LEC induces chemotaxis and adhesion by interacting with CCR1 and CCR8".Blood.96 (3):840–5.doi:10.1182/blood.V96.3.840.PMID10910894.
