The BLR1 / CXCR5 gene is specifically expressed in Burkitt's lymphoma and lymphatic tissues, such as follicles in lymph nodes as well as in spleen. The gene plays an essential role in B cell migration. Through CXCL13 secretions B cells are able to locate the lymph node. Additionally, some recent studies have suggested that CXCL13, through CXCR5, is capable of recruiting hematopoietic precursor cells which would cause the development of lymph nodes and Peyer's Patches. Other studies highlight the role of CXCR5 in T cells, as they are unable to access B cell follicles without CXCR5 expression. This is a key step in the production of high affinity antibodies as B cells and T cells need to interact in order to activate the Ig class switch. CXCR5 has been shown to be expressed on both CD4 and CD8 T cells, though it is often regarded as the defining marker for T Follicular Helper cells.
Role in cancer development
Recently, it was shown that CXCR5 overexpression in breast cancer patients highly correlates with lymph node metastases, and elevated CXCR5 expression may contribute to abnormal cell survival and migration in breast tumors that lack functional p53 protein. Minor allele of SNP rs630923, located in the area of CXCR5 gene promoter and associated with the risk of multiple sclerosis, is responsible for appearance of MEF2C-binding site resulted in reduced CXCR5 gene promoter activity in B-cells during activation, that could lead to decreased autoimmune response While chemokines and chemokine receptors have been thought to be involved in cancer development and maintenance, recently CXCR5 has come under investigation for its role in metastatic progression of prostate cancer. A recent study has indicated that prostate cancer tissue as well as cell lines express higher non-basal levels of CXCR5. Furthermore, the study found a correlation between the level of CXCR5 and Gleason score. CXCR5 location was additionally considered and higher Gleason scores correlated with nuclear CXCR5 while cytoplasmic and membrane CXCR5 correlated with benign and early prostate cancers.
