CCL5 (RANTES)

Alias: Regulated upon Activation Normal T cell Expressed and Secreted,C-C motif chemokine 5

RANTES belongs to the CC-family of chemokines, and along with other family members, plays an important role in the immune response by initiating the recruitment of leukocytes to the site of inflammation by acting as a chemoattractant for T cells, eosinophils, monocytes, and dendritic cells. The activity of the chemokine RANTES however is not restricted merely to chemotaxis. RANTES is also known to be involved in the proliferation and activation of certain immune cell types. RANTES has further been shown to play a role in HIV replication and elevated expression of RANTES has been shown in early pregnancy, suggesting a role in preparing the uterus for blastocyst implantation. RANTES is also involved in the progression and metastasis of some forms of cancer, and constitutive expression has been demonstrated in some malignant tumors.