HCC-1/CCL14, Human

HCC-1/CCL14 is a member of the chemokine family, which are small chemotactic proteins that regulate cell migration under inflammatory and steady state conditions. HCC-1 is expressed in epithelial and decidual cells and is unique among chemokines due to its high abundance in normal human plasma. HCC-1 can bind to chemokine receptors CCR1 and CCR5, however full length HCC-1 is a weak agonist of CCR1 and only becomes potent after removal of its eight N-terminal residues. Chemokine decoy receptor D6 can bind HCC-1 and promote its degradation as a means to regulate its level in vivo. Functionally HCC-1 promotes trophoblast migration by regulating extracellular matrix components as well as specific adhesion molecules.