Chemokine C-X-C motif ligand 10 (CXCL10)

Chemokine C-X-C motif ligand 10 (CXCL10), also known as Interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10) or small-inducible cytokine B10, is a small pro-inflammatory chemokine belonging to the CXC chemokine family. It plays a central role in immune cell trafficking and inflammation by binding primarily to the CXCR3 receptor. CXCL10 expression is strongly induced by interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in various cell types. Elevated levels or dysregulation of CXCL10 have been implicated in numerous diseases, including cancer, viral infections, autoimmune diseases and renal diseases.

Other names

IP-10Interferon gamma-induced protein 10small-inducible cytokine B10small-inducible cytokine B-cell-derived molecule B-BDF/BDF2

CXCL10 exerts its effects mainly through binding to the G-protein coupled receptor CXCR3 on target leukocyte subsets. This triggers downstream signaling cascades leading to calcium influx and cytoskeletal rearrangement required for directed migration ("chemotaxis"). Additional effects include modulation of apoptosis pathways via caspase activation.