Chemokines: leucocyte recruitment and activation cytokines.
Chemokines are a family of structurally related proteins that share the ability to induce migration of specific subsets of leucocytes. These specialised cytokines play a critical part in the generation of cellular inflammation, both in the protective responses to invading pathogens and in the pathological processes associated with infection and immune-mediated diseases. Chemokines are more than simple chemotactic factors, since they are also implicated in leucocyte activation, angiogenesis, and antimicrobial functions, including a protective role in HIV infection. These molecules provide potentially valuable targets for therapeutic intervention in a wide range of diseases.
Adams
D H
DH
Liver Reseach Laboratories, University of Birmingham, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, UK. dh.adams@bham.ac.uk
Lloyd
A R
AR
D018925:Chemokines / Q000502:physiology*; D002630:Chemotactic Factors / Q000502:physiology; D002634:Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / Q000502:physiology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000502:physiology; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*
D018925:Chemokines; D002630:Chemotactic Factors; D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators