Human C-C Chemokine Receptor Type 7 (CCR7) Protein

Background

C-C Chemokine Receptor Type 7 (CCR7) is a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) expressed on naïve T cells, central memory T cells, dendritic cells, and B cells, playing a central role in immune surveillance and lymphocyte trafficking. CCR7 interacts with its ligands CCL19 and CCL21, which are expressed in secondary lymphoid organs, such as lymph nodes and spleen. This receptor directs homing of lymphocytes and dendritic cells to the lymph nodes, enabling efficient antigen presentation, T-cell activation, and adaptive immune responses. CCR7 is critical for lymphocyte recirculation, guiding naïve T cells from the bloodstream into the lymph nodes where they encounter antigens presented by dendritic cells. In the context of cancer, CCR7 is overexpressed on tumor cells in cancers like breast cancer, gastric cancer, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), facilitating lymph node metastasis through chemotactic signaling. Additionally, CCR7 promotes T-cell positioning within the thymus, playing a key role in T-cell development and immune tolerance. Dysregulation of CCR7 signaling is associated with autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis, where improper lymphocyte migration contributes to chronic inflammation. Given its role in immune regulation, CCR7 has emerged as a promising therapeutic target in cancer immunotherapy and autoimmune disease treatment, where modulating its activity could restore immune homeostasis or inhibit metastasis.