RANTES antibody [53405.111]

RANTES is a member of the beta (C-C) chemokine subfamily, which also includes the human proteins MCP1, MCP2, MIP1 alpha, MIP1 beta, I309, and their murine counterparts. Mouse RANTES cDNA encodes a 91 amino acid residue precursor polypeptide with a 23 amino acid residue hydrophobic signal peptide that is cleaved to produce the 68 amino acid residue mature protein (approximately 7.9 kDa). Human and mouse RANTES share approximately 85 % amino acid identity. RANTES (Regulated upon Activation, Normal T cell Expressed and presumably Secreted) was first discovered by subtractive hybridization as a transcript expressed in T cells but not B cells. Eosinophillic chemotactic substances released by thrombin stimulated human platelets is identical to RANTES. In addition to T cells and platelets, RANTES is expressed by renal tubular epithelium , synovial fibroblasts, and selected tumor cells (rhabdomyosarcoma cells and MG63 osteosarcoma cells). The mouse RANTES gene maps to chromosome 11. The chemokine RANTES is a chemoattractant for monocytes, T lymphocytes , and NK (natural killer) cells. RANTES selectively attracts T cells of the CD4+/CD45RO+ phenotype in vitro. RANTES can also chemoattract and degranulate eosinophils , as well as chemoattract and induce histamine release from basophils. RANTES has been shown to inhibit HIV-1 entry via human CCR5. RANTES and MIP alpha bind to chemokine receptors (CCR1, CCR4, and CCR5) and induce activation of STAT signaling pathways. Because of its in vitro biological activities, RANTES may play an important role in mediating immune and inflammatory responses.