Primary sensory neurons migrate in response to the chemokine RANTES.

We examined the potential for the C-C chemokine RANTES to stimulate dorsal root ganglia (DRG) cell migration. Embryonic day 12 (E12.5) mouse DRG cells migrated in response to RANTES, in vitro, differentiating to the nociceptive phenotype within 18 h. In addition, RANTES stimulated intracellular calcium mobilization in DRG cells. RANTES expression was demonstrated by polymerase chain reaction analysis to be present in E10.5 limb bud, E12.5 DRG, Schwann cells, spinal cord and skin. RANTES protein was detected immunohistochemically in E12.5 DRG and the cutaneous layers of the developing hind limb. Thus, RANTES expression is spatially and temporally consistent with an effector molecule in sensory neuropoiesis, potentially expanding the role of this chemokine to include neurotropism.