CCL4L1

CCL4L1 is a gene that encodes a chemokine ligand, specifically chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 4-like 1. It belongs to the CC chemokine family.

Chemokines are a family of small cytokines, or signaling proteins secreted by cells, that act to induce directed chemotaxis in nearby responsive cells. They are crucial for immune cell trafficking and inflammatory responses.

CCL4L1 is a close homolog of CCL4 (also known as MIP-1β), sharing high sequence similarity. It is thought to have arisen through gene duplication. The CCL4L1 gene is found within a cluster of CC chemokine genes on chromosome 17q12.

Differences in the copy number of CCL4L1 alleles have been associated with varying susceptibility to certain diseases, including HIV infection. Higher copy numbers of CCL4L1 have been correlated with slower disease progression in HIV-infected individuals, potentially due to competition with HIV for the CCR5 receptor. CCL4L1, like CCL4, can bind to CCR5, which is a major coreceptor used by HIV to enter cells. The precise mechanisms by which CCL4L1 copy number influences HIV pathogenesis are still being investigated.

CCL4L1 has also been implicated in other inflammatory and immune-related conditions. Further research is ongoing to fully elucidate its role in various disease processes.