IL8 Receptor alfa, CD181

Chemokine (Chemoattractant Cytokines) are small peptides that are potent activators and chemo-attractants for leukocyte subpopulations and other non-hemopoietic cells.  Chemokine receptors (CXCR) belong to the superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR), which regulate the trafficking and activation of leukocytes, and operate as co-receptors in the entry of HIV-1 and directing the proliferation and migration of immature neurons, glia and their precursors (1). Furthermore, chemokine receptors participate in the etiology and progression of various brain disorders, including AIDS dementia, neuro-inflammatory disease and neuroplasia, making them important potential therapeutic targets in these cases.  Induction of chemokines and infiltration of chemokine receptor-bearing cells has also been shown in a variety of animal models of renal diseases, as well as in human diseases and allograft rejection (2)

	Type	Cat #	Expression
1	CXCR1	CXC-101AP	Melanoma, leukocytes, microglia, EC, podocytes
2	CXCR2	CXC-201AP	Intestinal microvascular cells
3	CXCR3	CXC-301AP	Microglia, podocytes
4	CXCR4	CXC-401AP	Inflammatory cells
5	CXCR5	CXC-501AP	Podocytes,

Activation of naïve T cells by specific antigen and cytokines, up-regulate cell adhesion molecules (CAM) as well as chemokine receptors on their surface, which directs them to migrate towards the inflamed tissues.  Several subtypes of CXCR have been characterized (Table1).

CXCR1 has been implicated in IL8 induced chemotaxis of melanoma cells.  The nonresponsive WM35 melanoma cells when stimulated by TNFexpress higher levels of CXCR1 and exhibit chemotactic towards interleukin-8 (3).  Stimulation of CXCR1 also induce focal adhesion kinase (FAK) phosphorylation, that regulate the chemotactic activities of the migrating cells (4).  On the contrary, glucocorticoid/dexamethasone has potent anti-inflammatory effects, yet it up-regulates expression of CXCR4 but not that of CXCR1 and CXCR3 (4). 

The CXCR receptor protein is approximately 45-55 kDa (405 amino acids) protein which has 7 transmembrane domains, characteristic of G-protein coupled receptors.  The all CXCR sequence analyses suggest the presence of 7 transmembrane domains, a characteristic feature of GPCR.  The protein has putative N-glycosylation sites near the extra cellular N-terminal end of the proteins.  The protein has a large 3^rd intra cellular loop which interacts with G-proteins.  The short carboxy terminal is intracellular and has putative post-translational sites.  The Anti-CXCR-selective antibodies were generated against conserved but unique sequences on various CXCR receptors that are expressed only in a particular CXCR receptor subtype.  The polyclonal antibodies were affinity purified on an immobilized antigen based affinity chromatography.  These epitope-spcific antibodies strongly label particular chemokine receptors in their respective western blot positive controls.  Anti-CXCR-selective antibodies are also available in the form of fluorescent conjugates for direct application in IHC upon request at extra charge. FabGennix Int. Inc. also provides antibodies against several other GPCRs including orphan receptors.  FabGennix, Inc., will also provide Western blot positive controls for most of these antibodies in ready-to-use buffer for easy identification of respective proteins.  Limited quantities of antigenic peptides are also available.  Please enquire for their availability before ordering.

For research use only, not for diagnostic or therapeutic use.