C-C motif chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5) (CCL5)

CCL5, also known as RANTES, is an 8 kDa proinflammatory CC chemokine encoded by the CCL5 gene on chromosome 17q11.2-q12. It acts as a chemoattractant for various immune cells including monocytes, T cells, eosinophils, basophils, NK cells, dendritic cells, and mast cells, promoting leukocyte recruitment to inflammation sites, basophil histamine release, eosinophil activation, and NK cell proliferation. It binds primarily to CCR5 (highest affinity), and also CCR1, CCR3, CCR4, with possible activity at GPR75. CCL5 exhibits HIV-suppressive activity from CD8+ T cells by blocking R5 HIV strains via CCR5, though high levels may enhance replication. Expressed by T cells, monocytes, epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and platelets, it drives inflammation, fibrosis, angiogenesis, and tumor progression in diseases like cancer, asthma, fibrosis, and atherosclerosis

Other names

RANTESregulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secretedeosinophil chemotactic cytokineSCYA5SISdSmall Inducible Cytokine Subfamily A (Cys-Cys) Member 5

Chemokine receptor antagonism (e.g., CCR5 blockade by maraviroc inhibits cell migration, tumor growth, metastasis); neutralization of CCL5 (antibodies block migration, proliferation, fibrosis, angiogenesis); inhibition of HIV entry via CCR5 coreceptor blockade