IDENTIFICATION THROUGH BIOINFORMATICS OF 2 NEW MACROPHAGE PROINFLAMMATORY HUMAN CHEMOKINES - MIP-3-ALPHA AND MIP-3-BETA

An increasing number of proinflammatory peptides, known as chemokines, are constantly being described and characterized. Because of their pr oven biologic functions in allergy, AIDS and, in general, inflammatory processes, these proteins have recently gained more attention. In thi s study we report the identification through bioinformatics of two new human chemokines: MIP-3 alpha and MIP-3 beta. Both of them belong to the beta- or CC chemokine family. Expression studies indicate that MIP -3 alpha is predominantly expressed in lymph nodes, appendix, PBL, fet al liver, fetal lung and several cell lines. However, MIP-3 beta expre ssion is restricted to lymph nodes, thymus and appendix. Interestingly enough, both chemokines manifested a pattern of expression strongly r egulated by IL-10. In contrast with other CC chemokines, MIP-3 beta ma ps to chromosome 9. Here we show the importance of bioinformatics to d iscover new molecules with possible therapeutic effects and regulatory functions.