CCL11
Encyclopedia
Chemokine ligand 11 (CCL11) is a small cytokine
belonging to the CC chemokine
family that is also known as eotaxin-1. CCL11 selectively recruits eosinophils by inducing their chemotaxis
, and therefore, is implicated in allergic responses. The effects of CCL11 are mediated by its binding to a G-protein-linked receptor known as a chemokine receptor
. Chemokine receptors for which CCL11 is a ligand
include CCR2,CCR3 and CCR5. However, it has been found that eotaxin-1 (CCL11) has high degree selectivity for its receptor, such that they are inactive on neutrophils and monocytes, which do not express CCR3. The gene
for human CCL11 (scya11) is encoded on three exon
s and is located on chromosome 17.
Increased CCL11 levels in blood plasma are associated with aging in mice. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that exposing old mice to cytokines such as CCL11 from the blood plasma of younger mice increases their neurogenesis and cognitive performance and vice versa.
Cytokine
Cytokines are small cell-signaling protein molecules that are secreted by the glial cells of the nervous system and by numerous cells of the immune system and are a category of signaling molecules used extensively in intercellular communication...
belonging to the CC chemokine
Chemokine
Chemokines are a family of small cytokines, or proteins secreted by cells. Their name is derived from their ability to induce directed chemotaxis in nearby responsive cells; they are chemotactic cytokines...
family that is also known as eotaxin-1. CCL11 selectively recruits eosinophils by inducing their chemotaxis
Chemotaxis
Chemotaxis is the phenomenon in which somatic cells, bacteria, and other single-cell or multicellular organisms direct their movements according to certain chemicals in their environment. This is important for bacteria to find food by swimming towards the highest concentration of food molecules,...
, and therefore, is implicated in allergic responses. The effects of CCL11 are mediated by its binding to a G-protein-linked receptor known as a chemokine receptor
Chemokine receptor
Chemokine receptors are cytokine receptors found on the surface of certain cells, which interact with a type of cytokine called a chemokine. There have been 19 distinct chemokine receptors described in mammals...
. Chemokine receptors for which CCL11 is a ligand
Ligand
In coordination chemistry, a ligand is an ion or molecule that binds to a central metal atom to form a coordination complex. The bonding between metal and ligand generally involves formal donation of one or more of the ligand's electron pairs. The nature of metal-ligand bonding can range from...
include CCR2,CCR3 and CCR5. However, it has been found that eotaxin-1 (CCL11) has high degree selectivity for its receptor, such that they are inactive on neutrophils and monocytes, which do not express CCR3. The gene
Gene
A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...
for human CCL11 (scya11) is encoded on three exon
Exon
An exon is a nucleic acid sequence that is represented in the mature form of an RNA molecule either after portions of a precursor RNA have been removed by cis-splicing or when two or more precursor RNA molecules have been ligated by trans-splicing. The mature RNA molecule can be a messenger RNA...
s and is located on chromosome 17.
Increased CCL11 levels in blood plasma are associated with aging in mice. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that exposing old mice to cytokines such as CCL11 from the blood plasma of younger mice increases their neurogenesis and cognitive performance and vice versa.