Description
Interleukin 16 (IL-16) is a cytokine that released by a variety of cells (including lymphocytes and some epithelial cells) that has been characterized as a chemoattractant for certain immune cells expressing the cell surface molecule CD4. It is mapped to 15q25.1. IL-16 was originally described as a factor that could attract activated T cells in humans. It was previously called lymphocyte chemoattractant factor (LCF), and the augmentation of IL16 stimulation by CCR5 plays a role in regulation of Th1 cell recruitment and activation at sites of inflammation