Background:

CXCL13, also known as B-lymphocyte chemoattractant (BLC), is a CXC chemokine that is constitutively expressed in secondary lymphoid organs. BCA-1 cDNA encodes a protein of 109 amino acid residues with a leader sequence of 22 residues. Mature human BCA-1 shares 64% amino acid sequence similarity with the mouse protein and 23 - 34% amino acid sequence identity with other known CXC chemokines. Recombinant or chemically synthesized BCA-1 is a potent chemoattractant for B lymphocytes but not T lymphocytes, monocytes or neutrophils. BLR1, a G protein-coupled receptor originally isolated from Burkitt’s lymphoma cells, has now been shown to be the specific receptor for BCA-1. Among cells of the hematopoietic lineages, the expression of BLR1, now designated CXCR5, is restricted to B lymphocytes and a subpopulation of T helper memory cells. Mice lacking BLR1 have been shown to lack inguinal lymph nodes. These mice were also found to have impaired development of Peyer’s patches and defective formation of primary follicles and germinal centers in the spleen as a result of the inability of B lymphocytes to migrate into B cell areas.