Recombinant Human CCL20 protein

CCL20 (Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 20), also known as macrophage inflammatory protein-3α (MIP-3α) or liver-activated regulated chemokine (LARC), is a small cytokine belonging to the CC chemokine family. It plays a critical role in immune regulation by recruiting lymphocytes, dendritic cells, and other immune cells to sites of inflammation or infection through its interaction with the chemokine receptor CCR6. This receptor-ligand pair is particularly vital in mucosal immunity, facilitating the homing of CCR6-expressing cells like Th17 cells and regulatory T cells to epithelial tissues.

Recombinant CCL20 protein is engineered using expression systems (e.g., *E. coli* or mammalian cells) to produce a purified, bioactive form of the chemokine. It typically retains the native structure and function, enabling researchers to study its role in inflammatory diseases, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. For instance, CCL20 is implicated in pathologies such as psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease due to its overexpression in affected tissues. In cancer, it exhibits dual roles—either promoting tumor progression by recruiting immunosuppressive cells or enhancing anti-tumor immunity depending on the microenvironment.

The recombinant protein is widely used in *in vitro* and *in vivo* studies to investigate immune cell migration, signaling pathways, and therapeutic targeting. Its production involves stringent quality controls (e.g., SDS-PAGE, endotoxin testing) to ensure batch consistency and biological activity, often verified via chemotaxis assays. As a research tool, recombinant CCL20 aids in unraveling disease mechanisms and developing CCR6/CCL20 axis inhibitors or agonists for potential clinical applications.