CCL21 is encoded by CCL21 gene that is located in Chr. 9 and shows 21-33 % identity to other CC chemokines. This chemokine contains the four conserved cysteines characteristic of β chemokines plus two additional cysteines in its unusually long carboxylterminal domain. CCL21 is highly expressed in lymph nodes of certain endothelial cells, and in the spleen and appendix. It elicits effects by binding with CCR7, having functions of T and B lymphocytes chemotaxis and inhibiting hematopoiesis.
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