The Monocyte chemotactic protein 1 is from the chemotactic cytokines family. Monocytes, smooth muscle cells, osteoblastic cells and vascular endothelial cells are known to express monocyte chemotactic protein 1. In human genome, chromosome 17 is where the chemokines are located. Monocyte chemotactic protein is also known as chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2. This was the first CC chemokine discovered in humans and is studied the most in comparison to other chemokines. A cleavage by metalloproteinase is required for the activation of Monocyte chemotactic protein 1 which anchors to the endothelial plasma membrane. Monocyte chemotactic protein 1 is responsible for chemotactic activity for basophils and monocytes and attracts eosinophils once its N-terminal residue is deleted. Monocyte chemotactic protein 1 is also expressed in astrocytes, various locations in neurons which includes globus pallidus, facial nuclei, cerebral cortex, hippocampus, Purkinje cells in cerebellum, and lateral hypothalamus etc.

The presence of Monocyte chemotactic protein 1 is observed in various clinical conditions like psoriasis, atherosclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Increase in monocyte chemotactic protein 1 is also observed in neurodegenerative diseases which include Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, brain injury and brain ischemia. Monocyte chemotactic protein 1 is a regulator and activator of basophils in humans and also lead to induction of degranulation which leads to histamine release. Monocyte chemotactic protein 1 plays a major role in regulation of monocytes, T lymphocytes migration and infiltration. A pivotal role of monocyte chemotactic protein 1 is demonstrated in atherosclerosis development. In patients with asthma, monocyte chemotactic protein 1 induction is carried out in the epithelial cells of the bronchi by IL-4 and IL-13. Monocyte chemotactic protein 1 is known to have important role in many inflammatory diseases. Various proinflammatory cytokines, which include IL-6, BDNF, TNF-α play a big role in initiation of the cascade.