Identification of a chicken "C" chemokine related to lymphotactin

In this study we describe the isolation and characterization of a new chick en (Gallus gallus) chemokine, This molecule belongs to the C or gamma-chemo kine family and is related to the mouse and human lymphotactin (Lptn). Mous e and human Lptn are distinguished from alpha and beta chemokines by the ab sence of two cysteines (Cys 1 and 3) that form a disulfide bridge; the nove l chicken chemokine shows the same cysteine pattern, but replaces a long ca rboxy-terminal tail found in the other Lptn proteins with a short extension rich in Arg residues. The 1-kb mRNA is mainly expressed in spleen, althoug h weaker signals have been detected in liver and colon. It is interesting t o note that the chicken chemokine seems to preferentially induce the migrat ion of spleen B cells over T cells or B cells from the bursa of Fabricius.