Description
CCL18, is a novel CC chemokine that is highly homologous to MIP-1α (61% amino acid sequence identity). CCL18 cDNA encodes an 89 aa residue precursor protein with a 20 aa putative signal peptide that is cleaved to generate a 69 aa residue mature protein which lacks potential glycosylation sites. In vitro, CCL18 mRNA expression is induced in alternatively activated macrophages by Th2 cytokines such as IL-4, IL-10 and IL-13, and inhibited by IFN-γ. CCL18 mRNA is also expressed by GM-CSF/IL-4-induced monocyte-derived dendritic cells. In vivo, CCL18 is highly expressed in lung and placenta but is not expressed in epidermal Langerhans cells. Recombinant CCL18 has been shown to chemoattract naive T cells, but not monocytes or neutrophils.