Atypical chemokine receptor that controls chemokine levels and localization via high-affinity chemokine binding that is uncoupled from classic ligand-driven signal transduction cascades, resulting instead in chemokine sequestration, degradation, or transcytosis. Also known as interceptor (internalizing receptor) or chemokine-scavenging receptor or chemokine decoy receptor. Acts as a receptor for chemokines CCL2, CCL8, CCL13, CCL19, CCL21 and CCL25. Chemokine-binding does not activate G-protein-mediated signal transduction but instead induces beta-arrestin recruitment, leading to ligand internalization. Plays an important role in controlling the migration of immune and cancer cells that express chemokine receptors CCR7 and CCR9, by reducing the availability of CCL19, CCL21, and CCL25 through internalization. Negatively regulates CXCR3-induced chemotaxis. Regulates T-cell development in the thymus and inhibits spontaneous autoimmunity. Forms heteromers with CXCR3. Interacts with ARRB1 and ARRB2 (By similarity). Predominantly localizes to endocytic vesicles, and upon stimulation by the ligand is internalized via caveolae. Once internalized, the ligand dissociates from the receptor, and is targeted to degradation while the receptor is recycled back to the cell membrane (By similarity). Expressed in lung, heart, spleen, skeletal muscle, testis, astrocytes and microglia. Expressed by cortical thymic epithelial cells. The Ser/Thr residues in the C-terminal cytoplasmic tail may be phosphorylated. Mice have a larger thymus with relatively fewer cortical thymic epithelial cells and this is associated with severe reductions in cortical CCL25 distribution and accumulation of DN2 thymocyte precursor cells in the medulla. The downstream effects materialize in reduced proportions of DN3 cells and significantly reduced numbers of cortical DN3 cells. Aberrant thymocyte development culminates in increased prevalence of spontaneous autoimmune-like disease, characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of peripheral organs. Belongs to the G-protein coupled receptor 1 family. Atypical chemokine receptor subfamily.