C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 12
CXCL12proteinCXCL12 activates endothelial NF-κB signaling, recruits immune cells to atherosclerotic plaques, and mediates platelet–thrombosis interactions.
Pathway placement
Cascade stepPlaque inflammation
Confidencehigh
RationaleNF-κB-mediated endothelial inflammation; platelet-derived mediator; atherosclerotic chemokine axis.
Also acts inPlatelet activation, Endothelial activation/erosion, Systemic / off-pathway
Druggability
DruggableYes
Known drugs / candidates1
Small-molecule tractableYes
Antibody tractableYes
EnsemblENSG00000107562
Type I vs Type II discrimination
ScoresType-II-associated
R — rupture / Type-I33
C — confounder / Type-II67
A — assay feasibility72
E — evidence strength75
T1DI (composite)18
Specificity differential (R−C)-33.4
Confounder panel (Type-II drivers)
1sepsis / systemic inflammationmag 2
2anemia / acute blood lossn/a
3hypovolemia / dehydrationn/a
4tachyarrhythmian/a
5hypoxemia / respiratory failuremag 2
6hypertensive emergencyn/a
7high-demand / peri-operative stressmag 2
Coverage: 3/7 confounders with evidence
Tier: deep-scored (abstract-extracted) · 14 supporting references. See the discrimination table for all markers.
Assay & specimen
Class-level default (no specific cleared assay)— generic method inferred from analyte class; confirm against a specific product insert before use.
Specimen
Serum or plasma
Collection tube
Serum separator (gold/red-top, SST) · K2/K3-EDTA (lavender-top)
Method / principle
Sandwich immunoassay (ELISA) — research-grade unless a cleared assay exists
Reagent / substrate
Matched anti-target antibody pair (capture + labeled detection)
Platform
ELISA microplate or multiplex (Luminex/MSD)
Turnaround · availability
Send-out / research · Research-grade (no universal clinical assay)
Literature evidence(9)
- Genetic Variation in the Chemokine Network and Atherosclerosis Risk.Current atherosclerosis reports · 2026 · PMID 41824188 · doi
- Atypical Roles of the Chemokine Receptor ACKR3/CXCR7 in Platelet Pathophysiology.Cells · 2022 · PMID 35053329 · doi
- Modified Taohong Siwu decoction improves cardiac function after myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion in rats by promoting endogenous stem cell mobilization and regulating metabolites.Pharmaceutical biology · 2022 · PMID 36086864 · doi
- Down-regulated RGS5 by genetic variants impairs endothelial cell function and contributes to coronary artery disease.Cardiovascular research · 2021 · PMID 31605122 · doi
- Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha enhances the secretome to rejuvenate adult cardiosphere-derived cells.The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery · 2021 · PMID 34465468 · doi
- Regulation of oxidized platelet lipidome: implications for coronary artery disease.European heart journal · 2017 · PMID 28431006 · doi
- Platelet-derived CXCL12 (SDF-1α): basic mechanisms and clinical implications.Journal of thrombosis and haemostasis : JTH · 2013 · PMID 24024928 · doi
- Endothelial progenitor cells in acute myocardial infarction and sleep-disordered breathing.American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine · 2012 · PMID 23155141 · doi
- Increased number of circulating endothelial cells and plasma markers of endothelial damage in chronic cocaine users.Thrombosis research · 2011 · PMID 21601240 · doi