title: Chemokines and their receptors in allergic disease.
abstract: Mechanisms of chemoattraction underlie the spatial organization of the cells of the immune system under basal conditions and the localization of these cells to sites of inflammation. The chemokines, a family of around 50 small proteins, play a major role in these processes. Leukocytes are equipped with cell-surface sensors for chemokines. There are 19 such receptors that are differentially expressed on leukocytes: the repertoire of receptor expression depending on the type of leukocyte and its stage in maturation. From observations in animal models, clinical studies, in vitro cell biology, and molecular analysis, a working hypothesis has been established to explain the cellular interactions underlying allergic responses and the chemokines-chemokine receptors involved. Chemokines signal through G protein-coupled receptors that are used typically for sensory functions (eg, detection of olfactory signals in the nose). This type of receptor can be blocked selectively by small-molecule antagonists. This provides the opportunity for the development of therapeutic compounds designed to suppress the recruitment of particular leukocyte types in allergic reactions.
authors.affiliation: Leukocyte Biology Section, National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, South Kensington Campus, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ. j.pease@imperial.ac.uk
authors.forename: James Edward
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Pease
authors.forename: Timothy John
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018925:Chemokines / Q000276:immunology*; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D018925:Chemokines; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine