CCL2 (MCP-1)

Alias: Monocyte Chemotactic Protein 1, C-C motif chemokine 2

MCP-1 is a member of the ß (CC) subfamily of chemokines. MCP-1 is mainly expressed by macrophages in response to a wide range of cytokines that include IL-1β, IL-6, and TNFα, but can also be produced by a variety of other cells and tissues, such as fibroblasts, endothelial cells, or certain tumor cells. MCP-1 functions as a chemoattractant protein for monocytes, T lymphocytes, and NK cells where it helps to regulate their adhesion molecule and cytokine expression patterns. MCP-1 has also been shown to activate monocytes to be cytostatic for some human tumor cell lines and attracting, activating, and inducing basophils to release histamine. Elevated levels of MCP-1 have also been found in connection with inflammation, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), myocardial ischemia, and viral infections.