Rat MIP-3α Assay

CCL20, also known as MIP-3α, is a small secreted chemokine encoded by the CCL20 gene. It is the only chemokine that binds exclusively to the chemokine receptor CCR6. CCL20/CCR6 signaling plays critical roles in mucosal immunity, inflammation, and cancer. CCL20 is constitutively expressed in the liver, lung, and intestinal epithelium, and is potently induced by inflammatory stimuli (e.g., IL-1β, TNF-α) and bacterial components. It acts as a chemoattractant for dendritic cells, effector/memory T cells (particularly Th17 cells), and B cells, orchestrating immune cell trafficking to sites of inflammation and lymphoid tissues. Elevated CCL20 levels are associated with autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease), and many cancers (colorectal, pancreatic, breast), where it promotes tumor progression, metastasis, and immune evasion via recruitment of regulatory T cells. CCL20 is a promising therapeutic target for inflammatory disorders and cancer immunotherapy.