Ccl23

Chemokines (C-C Motif) Ligand 23, SCYA23, Small Inducible Cytokines Subfamily A (Cys-Cys), Member 23, Myeloid Progenitor Inhibitory Factor 1, Macrophage Inflammatory Protein 3, CK-BETA-8, MPIF-1, Ckb-8, MIP-3, C6 Beta-Chemokines, Ckb-8-1, Hmrp-2a

Chemokines, a subgroup of cytokines, are small (size between 8 and 10 kDa), chemotactically active proteins (signal proteins). They are common in all vertebrates, some virus types and bacteria. In humans, about 50 chemokines are currently known. A strongly conserved structural feature of all chemokines is a fixed group of cysteine residues that is stabilized by 1 or 2 disulfide bridges. This key structural position in the molecule is responsible for its fixed 3-dimensional structure.

In the CC chemokines, the cysteines follow each other directly, in the CXC chemokines they are separated (CC = acronym for cysteine-cysteine) by 1, in the CXXXC chemokines by 3 other amino acids. Chemokines are produced and secreted by a variety of immune cells, but also by parenchymatous cells (e.g. hepatocytes, myocytes). They transmit their signals by binding to chemokine receptors via G-proteins. Some chemokines have a pro-inflammatory effect, others have a regulatory effect on the development and homeostasis of tissues.

CCL23 (CC-chemokine ligand 23) is a small cytokine of the CC chemokine family, also known as "Macrophage inflammatory protein 3", MIP-3 or "Myeloid progenitor inhibitory factor 1", MPIF-1.

In humans, the gene encoding CCL23 is located on chromosome 17q11.2, a gene locus located in the vicinity of other CC chemokines. CCL develops its activity by binding to the CCR1 receptor.

Chemokine is expressed in the lung and liver parenchyma, bone marrow and placenta. Eosinophilic granulocytes also form and secrete CCL23 (and CCL23mRNAs) after stimulation with the growth factor GM-CSF and with interleukin-5.

The chemokine has a chemotactic effect on resting T cells and monocytes as well as on neutrophil granulocytes. CCL23 potentiates VEGF-induced proliferation and migration of human endothelial cells and promotes angiogenesis.

CCL23 was found to be elevated in the mucosal epithelia in eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (J32.0).

Furthermore, CCL23 was found to be elevated in an early phase of systemic scleroderma (M34.0). Associations with arterial pulmonary hypertension (I27.28) were detectable. CCL23 can serve as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for systemic scleroderma.

1. Hwang J et al, (2005) Human CC chemokine CCL23, a ligand for CCR1, induces endothelial cell migration and promotes angiogenesis. Cytokines 30:254-263.
2. Matsumoto K et al (2011) Human eosinophils produce and release a novel chemokine, CCL23, in vitro. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 155 Suppl 1:34-9.
3. Poposki JA et al (2011) Increased expression of the chemokine CCL23 in eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. J Allergy Clin Immunol 128:73-81.
4. Shoji M et al (2016) Clinical Severity and Tear Biomarkers, Eosinophil Cationic Protein and CCL23, in Chronic Allergic Conjunctival Diseases. Semin Ophthalmol 8:1-6.