title: Role of the SDF-1/CXCR4 system in myocardial infarction.
abstract: Myocardial infarction (MI) is accompanied by an inflammatory response, leading to the recruitment of leukocytes and subsequent myocardial injury and healing. Chemokines are potent chemoattractant cytokines that regulate leukocyte trafficking in inflammatory processes. Recent evidence indicates that chemokines play a role not only in leukocyte trafficking but also in angiogenesis and cardioprotection. In particular, stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha) has generated considerable interest for its role in the pathophysiology of MI. This review will focus on the role of SDF-1 and its receptor CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4; ie, the SDF-1/CXCR4 system) in the pathophysiology of MI and discuss their potential as therapeutic targets for MI.
authors.affiliation: Division of Bioimaging Sciences, Center for Molecular Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan. masafumi2@jichi.ac.jp
authors.forename: Masafumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takahashi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D054377:Chemokine CXCL12 / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4 / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C515255:CXCL12 protein, human; C527276:CXCR4 protein, human; D054377:Chemokine CXCL12; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4