title: Targeting chemokine receptors in disease--a case study of CCR4.
abstract: Since their early 1990s, the chemokine receptor family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) has been the source of much pharmacological endeavour. Best known for their key roles in recruiting leukocytes to sites of infection and inflammation, the receptors present themselves as plausible drug targets for therapeutic intervention. In this article, we will focus our attention upon CC Chemokine Receptor Four (CCR4) which has been implicated in diseases as diverse as allergic asthma and lymphoma. We will review the discovery of the receptors and their ligands, their perceived roles in disease and the successful targeting of CCR4 by both small molecule antagonists and monoclonal antibodies. We will also discuss future directions and strategies for drug discovery in this field.
authors.affiliation: Airway Disease Infection Section, MRC-Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Solari
authors.affiliation: Leukocyte Biology Section, MRC-Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom. Electronic address: j.pease@imperial.ac.uk.
authors.forename: James E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Pease
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004194:Disease; D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D054398:Receptors, CCR4 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D054398:Receptors, CCR4
keywords: Antagonist; Asthma leukaemia; Chemokine; Inflammation; Receptor; Signaling