Cxcl10

Function

Pro-inflammatory cytokine that is involved in a wide variety of processes such as chemotaxis, differentiation, and activation of peripheral immune cells, regulation of cell growth, apoptosis and modulation of angiostatic effects (PubMed:7540647, PubMed:11157474, PubMed:22652417). Plays thereby an important role during viral infections by stimulating the activation and migration of immune cells to the infected sites (By similarity). Mechanistically, binding of CXCL10 to the CXCR3 receptor activates G protein-mediated signaling and results in downstream activation of phospholipase C-dependent pathway, an increase in intracellular calcium production and actin reorganization (PubMed:12750173, PubMed:19151743). In turn, recruitment of activated Th1 lymphocytes occurs at sites of inflammation (PubMed:12750173, PubMed:12663757). Activation of the CXCL10/CXCR3 axis plays also an important role in neurons in response to brain injury for activating microglia, the resident macrophage population of the central nervous system, and directing them to the lesion site. This recruitment is an essential element for neuronal reorganization (By similarity).

Post-translational modifications

Several proteases can mediate post-secretion cleavages. DPP4 cleaves CXCL10 on its N-terminal 2 amino acids leading to an antagonist form of CXCL10. This dominant negative form is capable of binding CXCR3 but does not induce signaling. MMP9 cleaves 9 amino acids instead.

Sequence similarities

Belongs to the intercrine alpha (chemokine CxC) family.

Tissue specificity

Mainly secreted by monocytes, endothelial cells as well as fibroblasts. Expressed by epithelial cells in thymus (PubMed:11157474). Microglial cells produce CXCL10 in response to viral stimulation (PubMed:12663757).

Cellular localization

• Secreted

Alternative names

• C-X-C motif chemokine 10
• 10 kDa interferon gamma-induced protein
• Small-inducible cytokine B10
• Gamma-IP10
• IP-10
• CXCL10
• INP10
• SCYB10

Database links

• entrezGene:3627
• omim:147310
• omim:147310
• swissprot:P02778

Target type

Proteins

Primary research area

Immunology & Infectious Disease

Other research areas

• Immuno-oncology
• Neuroscience
• Oncology

Molecular weight

10881Da