The chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1), previously called GROα, is a small cytokine belonging to the CXC chemokine family. In humans, this protein is encoded by the CXCL1 gene. CXCL1 is secreted by human melanoma cells, has mitogenic properties and is implicated in melanoma pathogenesis. CXCL1 is expressed by macrophages, neutrophils and epithelial cells, and has neutrophil chemoattractant activity.[6][7] CXCL1 plays a role in spinal cord development by inhibiting the migration of oligodendrocyte precursors and is involved in the processes of angiogenesis, arteriogenesis, inflammation, wound healing, and tumorigenesis. The gene for CXCL1 is located on human chromosome 4 amongst genes for other CXC chemokines. An initial study in mice showed evidence that CXCL1 decreased the severity of multiple sclerosis and may offer a neuro-protective function.