Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 14 (CXCL14) is a small cytokine belonging to the CXC chemokine family that is also known as BRAK (for breast and kidney-expressed chemokine).[1] Mature CXCL14 has many of the conserved features of the CXC chemokine subfamily but has some differences too, such as a shorter N-terminus and five extra amino acids in the region between its third and fourth cysteines.[1] CXCL14 is constitutively expressed at high levels in many normal tissues, where its cellular source is thought to be fibroblasts.[2]
However, it is reduced or absent from most cancer cells.[1][3] This chemokine is chemotactic for monocytes and can activate these cells in the presence of an inflammatory mediator called prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2).[2] It is also a potent chemoattractant and activator of dendritic cells, is implicated in homing of these cells,[4] and can stimulate the migration of activated NK cells.[5] CXCL14 also inhibits angiogenesis, possibly as a result of its ability to block endothelial cellchemotaxis.[6] The gene for CXCL14 contains four exons and is located on chromosome 5 in humans.[1]
References
^ abcdHromas R, Broxmeyer HE, Kim C, Nakshatri H, Christopherson K, Azam M, Hou YH (February 1999). "Cloning of BRAK, a novel divergent CXC chemokine preferentially expressed in normal versus malignant cells". Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 255 (3): 703–6. doi:10.1006/bbrc.1999.0257. PMID10049774.
