C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 14 (CXCL14)

C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 14 (CXCL14) is a small, secreted protein of the CXC chemokine family, also known as BRAK, that serves key homeostatic and immunoregulatory functions[1][4]. Unlike most CXC chemokines, its natural receptor remains uncharacterized, though there is evidence CXCL14 can interact with CXCR4 and ACKR2 as a decoy ligand, modulating immune and tumor microenvironments[4]. CXCL14 is constitutively expressed in epithelial tissues and fibroblasts, is a potent chemoattractant for dendritic cells, monocytes, and NK cells, and is generally downregulated in many solid tumors, where loss of CXCL14 correlates with poor prognosis and impaired immune surveillance[1][4]. However, in some tumor contexts, high stromal CXCL14 can have protumorigenic effects by promoting angiogenesis and invasion, highlighting its complex and context-dependent biology[4]. CXCL14 exerts anti-angiogenic activities in most settings, inhibits the CXCL12-CXCR4 axis (implicated in tumorigenesis and metastasis), and regulates other homeostatic processes including body weight, glucose metabolism, and epithelial cell migration[4][5]. There are currently no approved drugs that directly target or mimic CXCL14 clinically, but its roles in immunosurveillance and cancer immunology make it an emerging candidate for drug discovery and biomarker development[4].

Other names

BRAKMIP-2gMIP2GNJACSCYB14PSEC0212UNQ240/PRO273bolekineKecBMACKS1Chemokine BRAKSmall-inducible cytokine B14tumor-suppressing chemokinebreast and kidney-expressed chemokine

Competitive inhibition of CXCR4 signaling (as a potential decoy ligand) Inhibition of CXCL12-CXCR4 axis in cancer microenvironment Inhibition of angiogenesis (by direct interaction with growth factors and endothelial cell chemotaxis inhibition)