Skip to main content

Function

Inhibits hemopoiesis and stimulates chemotaxis. Chemotactic in vitro for thymocytes and activated T-cells, but not for B-cells, macrophages, or neutrophils. Shows preferential activity towards naive T-cells. May play a role in mediating homing of lymphocytes to secondary lymphoid organs. Binds to atypical chemokine receptor ACKR4 and mediates the recruitment of beta-arrestin (ARRB1/2) to ACKR4.

Sequence similarities

Belongs to the intercrine beta (chemokine CC) family.

Tissue specificity

Highly expressed in high endothelial venules of lymph nodes, spleen and appendix. Intermediate levels found in small intestine, thyroid gland and trachea. Low level expression in thymus, bone marrow, liver, and pancreas. Also found in tonsil, fetal heart and fetal spleen.

Cellular localization

  • Secreted

Alternative names

SCYA21, UNQ784/PRO1600, CCL21, C-C motif chemokine 21, 6Ckine, Beta-chemokine exodus-2, Secondary lymphoid-tissue chemokine, Small-inducible cytokine A21, SLC

Target type

Proteins

Molecular weight

14646Da