CXCL10
Description
The CXCL10 (C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 4.
CXCL10, also known as Interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10) or small-inducible cytokine B10, is an 8.7 kDa protein encoded by the CXCL10 gene in humans. It belongs to the CXC chemokine family and is a small cytokine secreted by various cell types, including monocytes, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts, in response to IFN-γ. CXCL10 has several roles: attracting monocytes/macrophages, T cells, NK cells, and dendritic cells; promoting T cell adhesion to endothelial cells; exhibiting antitumor activity; and inhibiting bone marrow colony formation and angiogenesis. It exerts its effects by binding to the cell surface chemokine receptor CXCR3. The three-dimensional crystal structure of CXCL10 has been determined under three different conditions to a resolution of up to 1.92 Å. CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11 are valid biomarkers for the development of heart failure and left ventricular dysfunction, indicating a link between their levels and adverse cardiac remodeling. Elevated baseline pre-treatment plasma levels of CXCL10 are observed in patients chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) of genotypes 1 or 4 who do not achieve sustained viral response (SVR) after antiviral therapy.
CXCL10 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays a role in a variety of processes, including chemotaxis, differentiation, and activation of peripheral immune cells, regulation of cell growth, apoptosis, and modulation of angiostatic effects. CXCL10 plays a significant role during viral infections by stimulating the activation and migration of immune cells to infected sites. Mechanistically, binding of CXCL10 to the CXCR3 receptor activates G protein-mediated signaling and results in downstream activation of the phospholipase C-dependent pathway, an increase in intracellular calcium production, and actin reorganization. This leads to the recruitment of activated Th1 lymphocytes to sites of inflammation. The CXCL10/CXCR3 axis also plays a crucial role in neurons in response to brain injury by activating microglia, the resident macrophages of the central nervous system, and directing them to the lesion site. This recruitment is essential for neuronal reorganization.
CXCL10 is also known as C7, IFI10, INP10, IP-10, SCYB10, crg-2, gIP-10, mob-1.
