RANTES (Regulated on Activation, Normal T Cell Expressed and Secreted), also known as CCL5. is a chemokine belonging to the CC subfamily. It is produced by various cell types, including T cells, macrophages, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts, and plays a critical role in immune responses by recruiting leukocytes such as T cells, monocytes, and eosinophils to sites of inflammation. RANTES binds to multiple receptors, including CCR1. CCR3. and CCR5. and is implicated in chronic inflammatory diseases, viral infections (e.g., HIV), cancer progression, and autoimmune disorders.
Antibodies targeting RANTES are essential tools for studying its expression, localization, and function in both physiological and pathological contexts. These antibodies, available as monoclonal or polyclonal forms, are widely used in techniques like ELISA, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry. They enable researchers to quantify RANTES levels in biological samples, visualize its distribution in tissues, and investigate its role in disease mechanisms. For example, RANTES antibodies help elucidate its dual role in HIV pathogenesis—acting both as a chemoattractant and as a competitor for viral entry via CCR5 receptor blockade. In cancer research, such antibodies aid in exploring RANTES' contribution to tumor microenvironment modulation, angiogenesis, and metastasis.
When selecting RANTES antibodies, specificity validation (e.g., using knockout controls) and cross-reactivity checks across species are critical. Some antibodies target distinct epitopes or post-translational variants, influencing experimental outcomes. Therapeutic applications, such as blocking RANTES-receptor interactions in inflammatory diseases, further highlight the antibody's translational relevance.