Background
CCR8, a Chemokine Receptor, binds the CC-chemokine I-309, which is secreted by umbilical vein endothelial cells. CCR8 also binds viral monocyte inflammatory protein-I (vMIP-I), which is induced by Kaposi sarcoma-related human herpesvirus-8. CCR8 induces endothelial chemotaxis and may function as an HIV-1 co-receptor on primary human cells, contributing to HIV-1-induced thymic pathogenesis (Lee et al., 2000). CCR8 expression has been reported in spleen and thymus, natural-killer cells, monocytes, and T cells, and at lower levels in peripheral blood leukocytes. Increased expression has been seen in allergen-challenged atopic asthma. No CCR8 expression was found in mesangial cells of the kidney cortex. ESTs have been isolated from human normal kidney, eye, and B cell/lung/testis libraries and from human brain, germ cell, and pancreas cancer libraries. |
