Expression and regulation in the brain of the chemokine CCL27 gene locus

The chemokine CCL27 has chemoattractant properties for memory T cells and has been implicated in skin allergic reactions. The present study reports the expression in the brain of two CCL27 splice variants localized in the cerebral cortex and limbic regions. CCL27-like immunoreactivity was identified mainly in neurons. Variant 1 was found elevated in the olfactory bulbs during allergic inflammation induced by intranasal challenge with allergen. This was accompanied by the presence of T cells in the olfactory bulbs. Intranasal administration of neutralizing antibodies against CCL27 reduced the presence of T cells in the olfactory bulbs suggesting a function in T cell activity in the brain.