RANTES (CCL5)

Overview

RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted), also known as CCL5, measures circulating levels of this CC chemokine produced by T cells, macrophages, and platelets. It functions to recruit immune cells including T cells, eosinophils, and basophils to sites of inflammation through CCR1, CCR3, and CCR5 receptor binding. Elevated levels indicate active inflammatory, allergic, or autoimmune processes, while low levels lack established clinical significance; it serves primarily as a research biomarker for immune activation in HIV progression, transplant rejection, and inflammatory diseases, with limited routine clinical utility.

Clinical Use Cases

  • Research marker of immune activation in HIV/AIDS progression.
  • Assessing allograft rejection risk in transplantation.
  • Investigating inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis and asthma.
  • Studying cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis.
  • Evaluating chemokine storm in severe infections.

Specimen Types

  • Serum.
  • Plasma (EDTA preferred).
  • Whole blood (for mRNA expression).

Measurement Methods

  • Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
  • Multiplex bead-based immunoassays.
  • Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

Test Preparation and Influencing Factors

  • No fasting required.
  • Avoid prolonged tourniquet use during venipuncture.
  • Acute inflammation, infections, or trauma elevate levels.
  • Corticosteroids and immunosuppressants decrease production.
  • Sample processing: centrifuge promptly, freeze at -80°C.

Synonyms

  • CCL5.
  • Eosinophil chemotactic factor.
  • SIS-delta (small inducible cytokine).

Further Reading