(C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL)10 (CXCL10), also known as IP-10, belongs to the ELR(-) CXC subfamily chemokine. CXCL10 was originally identified as an IFN-gamma -inducible gene in monocytes, fibroblasts and endothelial cells. It has since been shown that CXCL10 mRNA is also induced by LPS, IL-1 beta, TNF- alpha, IL-12 and viruses. CXCL10 was originally identified as an IFN-gamma -inducible gene in monocytes, fibroblasts and endothelial cells. CXCL10/IP-10 exerts its function through binding to chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 3 (CXCR3), a seven trans-membrane receptor coupled to G proteins. CXCL10/IP-10 and its receptor, CXCR3, appear to contribute to the pathogenesis of many autoimmune diseases, organ specific (such as type 1 diabetes, autoimmune thyroiditis, Graves' disease and ophthalmopathy), or systemic (such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, mixed cryoglobulinemia, Sjögren syndrome, or systemic sclerosis). In adition, CXCL10 has been reported to be a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis and to display a potent thymus-dependent antitumor effect.
