C-C chemokine receptor type 7 (CCR7) (CCR7)

C-C chemokine receptor type 7 (CCR7) is a pivotal G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that mediates the migration of immune cells, particularly mature dendritic cells and naive T cells, into secondary lymphoid organs (UniProt P32248). It is activated by the lymphoid chemokines CCL19 and CCL21, which guide CCR7-expressing cells along a chemotactic gradient into the lymph nodes (Forster et al., 2008). In the specific context of alpha-type-1 polarized dendritic cells (αDC1), CCR7 expression is a critical determinant of therapeutic efficacy, as these cells are engineered to produce high levels of IL-12 and must home to lymph nodes to effectively prime anti-tumor T-cell responses (Kalinski et al., 2018). While CCR7 is essential for protective immunity, its aberrant expression on cancer cells is strongly associated with lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis in various malignancies (Legler et al., 2014). Consequently, CCR7 is a target of interest for both cancer vaccines, where its expression is enhanced on αDC1, and for antagonistic therapies, such as the monoclonal antibody CAP-100, which aim to block metastatic spread.

Other names

CD197C-C CKR-7EBV-induced G-protein coupled receptor 1EBI1BLR2CMKBR7

Modulation of leukocyte trafficking and homing to secondary lymphoid organs via interaction with CCL19 and CCL21 ligands.