Background |
Monocyte chemotactic and activating factor (MCAF) is also called monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2). It is primarily secreted by monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells. This cytokine displays chemotactic activity for monocytes, T-cells, and basophils, but not for neutrophils or eosinophils. MCAF causes the degranulation of basophils and mast cells, and augments the activity of monocyte and macrophage. MCAF plays an important role in inflammation, angiogenesis, auto-immune diseases, renal diseases, chronic infection and granuloma formation. |