mac·ro·phage in·flam·ma·to·ry pro·tein (MIP),
a member of the chemokine family that is chemotactic for certain lymphocyte subsets such as T-cytotoxic cells.
macrophage inflammatory protein Either of two chemokines—CCL3 (formerly MIP 1α) and CCL4 (formerly MIP 1β)—that are ligands for the CCR5 receptor. Both are produced by macrophages in response to bacterial endotoxins; activate granulocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils), leading to acute (neutrophilic) inflammation; and induce the synthesis and release of other pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-1, IL-6 and TNFalpha) from fibroblasts and macrophages. CCL3 and CCL4 block the entry of M-tropic strains of HIV into various white cells.