The chemokine family. Potential therapeutic targets from allergy to HIV infection.

Basal trafficking and homing of leukocytes is controlled by a large subfamily of cytokines, the chemokines. The initiation and perpetuation of an inflammatory response is also mediated by the chemokines. The chemokine family acts through a sub-family of the seven transmembrane, G-protein-coupled receptor class. Despite the large number of chemokine proteins, several factors such as regulated expression of the ligands and their receptors, glycosoaminoglycan interactions and their signaling mechanisms introduce the required selectivity in vivo. Recently, chemokine receptors have been identified as an essential component for the infection of host cells by HIV. Chemokine receptors thus present an attractive therapeutic target for inflammatory disorders and HIV infection, and evidence for their validation using antibodies and receptor antagonists is discussed.