The product of this gene is a cytokine. Cytokines are small proteins that have an essential role in the immune and inflammatory responses. This gene is one of several chemokine-like factor genes located in a cluster on chromosome 16. The protein encoded by this gene is a potent chemoattractant for neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocytes. It also can stimulate the proliferation of skeletal muscle cells. This protein may play important roles in inflammation and in the regeneration of skeletal muscle. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been identified. Naturally occurring read-through transcription occurs between this locus and the neighboring locus CMTM1 (CKLF-like MARVEL transmembrane domain containing 1).[provided by RefSeq, Feb 2011]