Cytokines, chemokines, RANTES, and eotaxin.
Over the past several years, a number of cytokines with chemoattractive properties (chemokines) have been identified. These low molecular weight molecules have been shown to be important leukocyte chemical attractants to sites of inflammation and infection. Chemokines act on leukocytes through selective receptors and are now known to function also in leukocyte maturation, trafficking, and homing of these cells. RANTES and eotaxin (among other chemokines) are important chemoattractants for eosinophils. Since eosinophils seem to play a critical role in the production of allergic inflammation, an understanding of the mechanism of action of these chemokines may lead to new therapies for asthma and other allergic processes.
Graziano
F M
FM
Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Hospital and Clinics, Madison 53792-3244, USA.
Cook
E B
EB
Stahl
J L
JL
D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000503:physiopathology*; D054413:Chemokine CCL11; D018946:Chemokine CCL5 / Q000502:physiology*; D018925:Chemokines / Q000502:physiology*; D019742:Chemokines, CC; D002631:Chemotactic Factors, Eosinophil / Q000502:physiology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans
C515456:CCL11 protein, human; D054413:Chemokine CCL11; D018946:Chemokine CCL5; D018925:Chemokines; D019742:Chemokines, CC; D002631:Chemotactic Factors, Eosinophil; D016207:Cytokines