Extracellular cyclophilin A possesses chemotaxic activity in cattle

Abstract

Inflammation occurs when tissues are injured by exposure to pathogens (e.g., bacteria, viruses) or foreign substances (e.g., toxins, chemicals) [1]. Chemokines, which are small cytokines sharing a basic structure composed of three anti-parallel ?-strands and an overlying ?-helix, play a key role in regulating leucocyte trafficking into inflammatory tissues [2]. So far, nearly 50 kinds of chemokine belonging to either the CXC, CC, C or CX3C families have been identified; all have important roles, not only in inflammation but also homeostatic responses [3]. However, recent studies have shown that, in addition to chemokines, other factors without the structural characteristics peculiar to the chemokines, are also involved in leucocyte trafficking as they also possess potent chemotactic activity [4].