CCL5

Definition

CCL5, also known as RANTES (Regulated upon Activation, Normal T Expressed and Secreted), is a chemokine involved in the recruitment and activation of immune cells, particularly T cells, eosinophils, and basophils. It plays a crucial role in immune responses by guiding these cells to sites of inflammation or infection, thereby influencing the overall adaptive immune response.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. CCL5 is produced by various cell types including macrophages, T cells, and fibroblasts in response to inflammatory stimuli.
2. The interaction between CCL5 and its receptor CCR5 is critical for the migration of immune cells to areas of tissue damage or infection.
3. CCL5 also has antiviral properties, helping to inhibit viral replication and enhance the immune response against infections.
4. In addition to its role in inflammation, CCL5 is implicated in chronic conditions such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis due to its persistent recruitment of immune cells.
5. Research has shown that CCL5 is involved in cancer progression by promoting the migration of tumor-associated immune cells that can either suppress or enhance tumor growth.

Review Questions

• How does CCL5 contribute to the recruitment of immune cells during an inflammatory response?
  • CCL5 acts as a chemotactic agent that attracts immune cells like T cells, eosinophils, and basophils to sites of inflammation. When tissues are damaged or infected, various cells release CCL5, which then binds to its receptors on target immune cells. This interaction prompts those cells to migrate toward the source of CCL5, amplifying the immune response and promoting tissue repair.
• Discuss the dual role of CCL5 in both inflammation and chronic disease states.
  • CCL5 is crucial for initiating acute inflammatory responses by recruiting immune cells to fight infections. However, in chronic diseases like asthma and rheumatoid arthritis, CCL5 contributes to persistent inflammation by continually attracting immune cells to affected tissues. This ongoing recruitment can lead to tissue damage and exacerbation of symptoms in these conditions, illustrating how CCL5's role can shift depending on the context.
• Evaluate the implications of CCL5's role in cancer progression and its potential as a therapeutic target.
  • CCL5 has been shown to influence cancer progression by recruiting immune cells that can either support tumor growth or inhibit it. The complex interplay of CCL5 with the tumor microenvironment suggests that targeting this chemokine could have therapeutic potential. By modulating CCL5 levels or blocking its receptors, treatments might reduce tumor-associated inflammation or alter the immune landscape to favor anti-tumor responses, highlighting its importance in cancer therapy strategies.

Related terms

Chemokine: A type of cytokine that induces chemotaxis in nearby responsive cells, playing a key role in the immune response and inflammatory processes.

Cytokine: Small proteins that are important in cell signaling, particularly in immune responses, mediating and regulating immunity, inflammation, and hematopoiesis.

CCR5: A receptor for CCL5 and other chemokines, primarily expressed on T cells and macrophages; it plays an essential role in HIV entry into host cells.