Description
CXCL10, also known as IP-10 and CRG-2, is a small cytokine belonging to the CXC chemokine family. Binding of this protein to the cell surface chemokine receptor CXCR3, results in pleiotropic effects, including stimulation of monocytes, natural killer and T cell migration and modulation of adhesion molecule expression. CXCL10 is secreted by several cell types in response to IFN-γ including monocytes, endothelial cells and fibroblasts (1). CXCL10 has been attributed to several roles, such as chemoattraction for monocytes/macrophages, T cells, NK cells, and dendritic cells, promotion of T cell adhesion to endothelial cells, antitumor activity and inhibition of bone marrow colony formation and angiogenesis (2-3). Additionally, it is angiostatic and mitogenic for vascular smooth muscle cells. CXCL10 plays a role in the regulation of tubular cell proliferation following renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (4). CXCL10 shows anti-microbial and anti-bacterial activity (5-6)