CXCL

CXCL refers to a family of chemokine proteins characterized by the presence of two conserved cysteine residues separated by one amino acid. These molecules play a crucial role in the immune system, primarily acting as chemoattractants, guiding the migration of various immune cells, such as neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes, to sites of inflammation or infection.

The CXCL family is further classified based on the arrangement of these characteristic cysteine residues. For instance, CXC chemokines with a specific amino acid motif (glutamate-leucine-arginine, or ELR) at the N-terminus are known as ELR+ chemokines and typically attract neutrophils. Conversely, ELR- chemokines generally recruit lymphocytes and monocytes.

CXCL proteins bind to specific G protein-coupled receptors on the surface of target cells, initiating intracellular signaling pathways that mediate cell movement and other biological responses. Dysregulation of CXCL chemokine expression or receptor function has been implicated in a variety of inflammatory diseases, autoimmune disorders, and even cancer, where they can influence tumor growth and metastasis. Research into CXCL chemokines and their receptors is ongoing, with potential therapeutic applications being explored for modulating immune responses and treating disease.