CXCL13
CXCL13 (C-X-C motif chemokine 13) is a secreted CXC chemokine that attracts B lymphocytes, also known as BLC, BCA-1 and ANGIE. It binds the receptor CXCR5 (BLR1) and is thought to contribute to the homing of B cells to lymphoid follicles. Browse Assay Genie's current range of CXCL13 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
CXCL13 is a chemokine with a selective chemotactic action. It attracts B lymphocytes but not T lymphocytes, monocytes or neutrophils, and it preferentially promotes B-cell migration compared with T cells and macrophages. It acts by binding BLR1, also called CXCR5 or Burkitt's lymphoma receptor 1, on responsive cells. Because of this selectivity, CXCL13 is proposed to function in the homing of B lymphocytes to follicles.
The CXCL13 gene encodes a secreted protein that belongs to the intercrine alpha (chemokine CxC) family and is classed by HGNC among the chemokine ligands. It is strongly expressed in the follicles of the spleen, lymph nodes and Peyer's patches, which fits its proposed role in organising B-cell positioning within secondary lymphoid tissue. RefSeq also describes it as an antimicrobial peptide. The mouse ortholog is Cxcl13, which allows the CXCL13-CXCR5 axis to be studied in murine models.
The naming of this chemokine reflects its independent discovery. It was cloned as B lymphocyte chemoattractant (BLC) and, separately, as Angie, which explains the aliases ANGIE and ANGIE2. Other symbols include BCA-1, BLR1L and SCYB13, and earlier HGNC names were small inducible cytokine B subfamily (Cys-X-Cys motif), member 13 (B-cell chemoattractant) and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 13. Researchers working on the CXCL13 protein or CXCL13 gene may meet any of these names in the literature.
CXCL13 attracts B lymphocytes but not T lymphocytes, monocytes or neutrophils, making it a selective tool for studying B-cell migration.
Strong expression in follicles of the spleen, lymph nodes and Peyer's patches links CXCL13 to B-cell homing within lymphoid tissue.
CXCL13 binds BLR1/CXCR5, so it is central to work on how this chemokine receptor pair directs responsive cells.
RefSeq describes CXCL13 as an antimicrobial peptide as well as a chemokine, pointing to roles beyond leukocyte guidance.
CXCL13 is a secreted chemokine that is chemotactic for B lymphocytes but not for T lymphocytes, monocytes or neutrophils. It binds BLR1/CXCR5 and is thought to help home B cells to follicles in lymphoid tissues such as the spleen, lymph nodes and Peyer's patches.
The chemokine was cloned independently as B lymphocyte chemoattractant (BLC) and as Angie, giving aliases such as BCA-1, BLR1L, ANGIE, ANGIE2 and SCYB13. Older HGNC names describe it as small inducible cytokine B subfamily member 13 and as chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 13.
Yes, the mouse ortholog is Cxcl13, so the chemokine can be studied in murine systems. CXCL13 belongs to the intercrine alpha (CXC) chemokine family. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity before choosing a species.
Other CXC chemokine ligands that share the intercrine alpha family with CXCL13.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt O43927; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.