Chemokine RANTES in brain infarction

Abstract

Chemokine is a group of cytokines related with chemotaxis and is important for the evolution of inflammation. RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted), also called CCL5, is generally secreted from various cells such as T cell, platelet, macrophage, endothelium and so on. And it can induce migration of T cell, monocyte, etc. through its receptor such as CCR1, CCR3, CCR5. In the infarcted tissue, RANTES is secreted from astrocyte and microglia by the stimuli of proinflammatory mediators, leading to activation and migration of inflammatory cells. In the blood, plasma RANTES is shed mainly from platelet and deposited on glycosaminoglycans along the lining of endothelium like a “sign post” followed by infiltration of macrophage and T cell. However, on the other hand, in the perifocal site, RANTES is reported to have a neuroprotective potential through its receptor CCR3, CCR5. Emerging reports are supporting the possibility that RANTES can play both proinflammatory and neuroprotective role, and the understanding of its pleiotropic effect is needed for the future therapy against brain infarction.