CCL20

Definition

CCL20, also known as chemokine C-C motif ligand 20, is a small cytokine that plays a critical role in immune responses by guiding the migration of immune cells, particularly lymphocytes and dendritic cells, to sites of inflammation. This chemokine is primarily produced by epithelial cells in tissues such as the skin and mucosal surfaces, where it helps maintain the balance of immune cell populations and facilitates the body's response to pathogens.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. CCL20 is particularly important in the recruitment of CCR6-expressing T helper 17 (Th17) cells to sites of inflammation or infection.
2. This chemokine is involved in skin-associated lymphoid tissue (SALT) dynamics, helping to attract immune cells to the skin for effective local immune surveillance.
3. In addition to its role in normal immune responses, CCL20 has been implicated in various inflammatory diseases, including psoriasis and multiple sclerosis.
4. The production of CCL20 can be induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha and IL-1, amplifying its effects during immune responses.
5. CCL20 also plays a role in the development and maintenance of mucosal immunity, influencing the behavior of immune cells within the gut and other mucosal surfaces.

Review Questions

• How does CCL20 influence the migration of immune cells to sites of inflammation?
  • CCL20 acts as a signaling molecule that attracts specific immune cells, particularly those expressing the CCR6 receptor, such as Th17 cells and dendritic cells. When tissues are inflamed or infected, epithelial cells produce CCL20 in response to pro-inflammatory cytokines. This increased concentration of CCL20 creates a gradient that guides the movement of these immune cells toward the site of inflammation, enhancing the local immune response.
• Discuss the relationship between CCL20 and skin-associated lymphoid tissue (SALT).
  • CCL20 plays a vital role in the functioning of skin-associated lymphoid tissue (SALT) by promoting the recruitment of immune cells to the skin. SALT serves as an important site for initiating immune responses against pathogens that breach the skin barrier. The presence of CCL20 helps ensure that appropriate immune cells are brought to SALT during an inflammatory response, thereby supporting effective surveillance and defense mechanisms against infections at this crucial entry point.
• Evaluate the implications of CCL20 dysregulation in inflammatory diseases, particularly regarding therapeutic approaches.
  • Dysregulation of CCL20 can lead to excessive recruitment of immune cells to inflamed tissues, contributing to chronic inflammatory diseases like psoriasis and multiple sclerosis. Understanding the mechanisms behind CCL20 production and its interactions with receptors like CCR6 opens potential therapeutic avenues. Targeting CCL20 or its receptor could help modulate immune responses, providing strategies to reduce inflammation and improve outcomes for patients suffering from these conditions by restoring balance within the immune system.

Related terms

Chemokines: A family of small signaling proteins that induce chemotaxis in nearby responsive cells, playing essential roles in immune responses and inflammation.

Dendritic Cells:

Specialized antigen-presenting cells that process and present antigens to T cells, playing a key role in initiating and modulating immune responses.

CCR6: A receptor for CCL20 found on the surface of certain immune cells, including T helper 17 (Th17) cells, that mediates their migration toward areas where CCL20 is produced.