G-protein coupled receptor 183 (GPR183) also known as Epstein-Barr virus-induced gene 2 (EBI2), is a chemotactic receptor that participates in the migratory capability of cells ². It belongs to the rhodopsin-like subfamily of class A transmembrane spanning (7TM) G protein-coupled receptors and its most potent ligand is oxysterol 7α-25-OHC ¹.

Dihydroxycholesterols, such as oxysterol 7α-25-OHC, are generated from cholesterol in steady state but also in the context of inflammation. GPR183 senses these oxysterols and induces chemotactic migration of immune cells towards higher concentrations of these ligands and hence cells that express GPR183 are trafficking through an oxysterol gradient dependent manner acting like chemokine processes. The migratory function of this receptor affects several important immune processes, in particular, GPR183 is involved in the T-dependent antibody response in the germinal centers. This puts GPR183 in a unique position to effect autoimmunity and inflammatory bowel diseases ^3,4.

In addition, GPR183 is highly expressed by type 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3) and its oxysterol ligand was shown to be essential for the localization and the migration of ILC3s and to have a critical role for the formation of lymphoid tissues in the mouse colon during colitis ².