Description
Macrophage inflammatory protein-3-beta (MIP3β) (CCL19), also known as EBI1 ligand chemokine (ELC), directs chemotaxis of dendritic cells, and certain B- and T- lymphocytes, but not monocytes or granulocytes. It is constituitively expressed in thymus and lymph nodes and binds specifically to target cells expressing the receptor CCR7. Being a homeostatic chemokine, its primary physiological role is considered to be in the normal recirculation and homing of lymphocyte. However, MIP-3β could also be proinflammatory, and is implicated in the post-HIV infection responses