Chemokine binding proteins: An immunomodulatory strategy going viral

Chemokines are small, basic cytokines that orchestrate the migration of leukocytes during development, homeostasis, tissue damage and infection [1]. Deregulation of chemokine function plays a key role in cancer development, immunopathologies and induction of pain [2,3]. Chemokines are secreted, with the exception of CXCL16 and CX3CL1, which are transmembrane proteins and can be shed following cleavage (reviewed in [4]). Interaction with glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) on the cell surface is required for chemokine retention on the endothelium, presentation to the chemokine receptor and thereby activity in vivo [5,6].
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Tags: Mini review Source Type: research