CCL3 (MIP-1 alpha)

Alias: MIP-1α, Macrophage Inflammatory Protein 1-alpha, C-C motif chemokine 3

MIP-1α, along with the closely related MIP-1β (CCL4), is a member of the CC-subfamily of chemokines. These proteins play critical roles in the recruitment of leukocytes to the site of inflammation and signal through CCR1, CCR4, and CCR5. MIP-1α and MIP-1β are involved in the response to cellular and humoral immune response. MIP-1α stimulates strong antigen specific responses, while MIP-1β promotes antibody responses. While both CCL3 and CCL4 are both chemoattractant for monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells, they differ in their responses with T cells. While MIP-1α preferentially attracts CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells are more responsive to MIP-1β. In addition to its chemotactic and co-activator functions, MIP-1α also induces inflammatory cytokine secretion, mast cell degranulation, and NK cell activation. MIP-1 protein expression levels have been shown to be important regarding numerous diseases such as multiple myeloma, asthmatic disorders, EAE, HIV, and sepsis.