Chemokine

Chemokines are a class of low-molecular-weight, chemotactic cytokines that, by binding to G protein-coupled receptors, directionally guide immune cells to migrate toward inflammatory sites or lymphoid organs. They play a decisive role in immune cell homing, tissue localization, and inflammatory response regulation. Major subfamilies include the CC, CXC, CX3C, and XC classes, and play important roles in infection, autoimmunity, and tumor metastasis.