Description
This gene is one of several Cys-Cys (CC) cytokine genes clustered on the q arm of chromosome 16. Cytokines are afamily of secreted proteins involved in immunoregulatory and inflammatory processes. The CC cytokines areproteins characterized by two adjacent cysteines. The cytokine encoded by this gene displays chemotactic activityfor monocytes, dendritic cells, natural killer cells and for chronically activated T lymphocytes. It alsodisplays a mild activity for primary activated T lymphocytes and has no chemoattractant activity for neutrophils,eosinophils and resting T lymphocytes. The product of this gene binds to chemokine receptor CCR4. This chemokinemay play a role in the trafficking of activated T lymphocytes to inflammatory sites and other aspects ofactivated T lymphocyte physiology