Description
Fractalkine (FKN) is a transmembrane mucin-chemokine hybrid molecule expressed on activated endothelium1 that mediates attachment and firm adhesion of T cells, monocytes and NK cells.2 FKN plays an important proinflammatory role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis as characterized by induction of synovial angiogenesis, chemotaxis, activation of monocytes and T cells as well as the stimulation of proliferation and synthesis of matrix degrading enzymes (matrix metalloproteinases, MMP) in synovial fibroblasts. Fractalkine thus may represent a novel target molecule for therapeutic intervention in RA.3 FKN is also an essential biomarker for predicting the prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).4