Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 20 (CCL20) (CCL20)

Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 20 (CCL20), also known as macrophage inflammatory protein-3 alpha (MIP-3α) or CC20, is a small cytokine belonging to the CC chemokine family. It is the sole ligand for the CC chemokine receptor 6 (CCR6) and plays a critical role in the chemoattraction of immature dendritic cells, effector/memory T-cells, and B-cells. In the context of disease, the CCL20-CCR6 axis is frequently upregulated in various cancers, including colorectal, hepatocellular, and prostate cancer, where it promotes tumor progression, metastasis, and the recruitment of immunosuppressive cells like regulatory T cells (Tregs). It is also a key mediator in inflammatory and autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease. Therapeutic strategies targeting this axis include neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against CCL20 and small molecule inhibitors of CCR6, although clinical development has faced challenges such as unexpected vascular toxicity in preclinical models.

Other names

Macrophage inflammatory protein-3 alpha (MIP-3α)Liver and activation-regulated chemokine (LARC)Exodus-1CC20Small inducible cytokine A20 (SCYA20)ST38CKb4

Neutralization of the CCL20 ligand to prevent its binding to the CC chemokine receptor 6 (CCR6), thereby inhibiting the recruitment of Th17 cells, regulatory T cells (Tregs), and other CCR6-expressing immune cells to sites of inflammation or the tumor microenvironment.