protein_function: Interleukin-16 stimulates a migratory response in CD4+lymphocytes, monocytes, and eosinophils. Primes CD4+ T-cells forIL-2 and IL-15 responsiveness. Also induces T-lymphocyteexpression of interleukin 2 receptor. Ligand for CD4.
Interleukin 16(IL-16) is a cytokine that released by a variety of cells(including lymphocytes and some epithelial cells) that has been characterized as a chemoattractant for certain immune cells expressing the cell surface molecule CD4. By Southern blot analysis and PCR using a human,rodent somatic cell hybrid mapping panel, The human IL16 is encoded by a single-copy gene on chromosome 15. Using a combination of STS-content mapping, radiation-hybrid mapping, and genetic mapping, it was refined the assignment to 15q26.1. The mouse Il16 gene was mapped to chromosome 7 in a region showing homology of synteny to human 15q26.1. IL-16 was originally described as a factor that could attract activated T cells in humans, it was previously called lymphocyte chemoattractant factor(LCF), and the augmentation of IL16stimulation by CCR5 plays a role in regulation of Th1 cell recruitment and activation at sites of inflammation.