Recombinant Mouse Ccl21a protein

Supplementary information

This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.

C-C motif chemokine ligand 21a also known as Ccl21a or Exodus-2 is a chemokine with a molecular mass of approximately 16 kDa. It functions mechanically by acting as a ligand for the CCR7 receptor which plays a significant role in immune responses. Ccl21a is mainly expressed in lymphoid tissues such as the lymph nodes and the spleen where it guides naive T-cells and dendritic cells to these regions by creating a chemotactic gradient.

Biological function summary

The actions of Ccl21a are important for the immune system's homeostasis and surveillance. It helps maintain the organized structure of lymphoid tissues by ensuring the correct positioning of lymphocytes. Ccl21a operates as part of the network that forms the microenvironment necessary for immune cell interactions and antigen presentation. There are no notable reports of it forming part of a larger protein complex but its receptor CCR7 is an essential player in its function.

Pathways

Ccl21a is involved in the chemokine signaling pathway and the regulation of immune cell trafficking. It interacts heavily within the pathway that involves the engagement of CCR7 a receptor that Ccl21a primarily activates alongside its counterpart ligand CCL19. Through these interactions Ccl21a influences processes related to lymphocyte migration and adaptive immune responses.

Disruptions in Ccl21a expression or function associate with conditions like autoimmune diseases and chronic inflammation. Abnormalities in its signaling can result in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis due to inappropriate recruitment and positioning of immune cells. Ccl21a's interaction with proteins like CCR7 links it to these disorders as aberrant CCR7 engagement influences immune cell dynamics in diseased states.