The Chemokine Receptors

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute a large superfamily of proteins that have been historically well represented as drug targets. As such, many of the volumes within The Receptors series have focused their attention on rec- tor subfamilies in the GPCR superfamily (e. g. , adrenergic, serotonergic, do- minergic). While chemokine receptors are relatively young, in terms of the knowledge that has accumulated regarding their roles in physiology and pat- logy, it is clear that this GPCR subfamily is dwar? ng all others with respect to the total number of receptors and their functional diversity. The breadth of the chemokine ? eld was not fully appreciated in the early days of chemokine d- covery, when the characterization of these molecules was largely a curiosity of a small set of biologists primarily interested in in? ammation. Presently, the ? eld of chemokinology is quite diverse, and it is nearly impossible to stay informed on all aspects of chemokine biology. Nonetheless, this book seeks to distill information regarding the molecular and cell biology, physiology, and pathology of chemokines and their receptors into a single volume, providing an excellent resource for those entering the ? eld or the most experienced c- mokinologist seeking new insights. In the chapters, leading authorities consider structural and cellular aspects of chemokines and chemokine receptors, and more notably, discuss the roles of these molecules in a variety of disease states that transcend their classically de? ned role(s) in in? ammation.

To date, there are over twenty different chemokine receptors, binding nearly fifty unique ligands that have been identified. In Chemokine Receptors, leading investigators attempt to distill the large body of literature ranging from basic molecular and cellular mechanism of chemokine receptors, to physiological and pathological roles of chemokines. Chemokines exhibit a tremendous functional diversity and participate in a wide variety of processes that include inflammation, innate and adaptive immunity, immune cell differentiation, angiogenesis, tumorigenesis, development, neurobiology and viral pathogenesis. Chemokine Receptors targets the pharmaceutical industry, provides an authoritative perspective on the future direction of this field, and insights into areas of active development of novel therapeutics.

The Birth and Maturation of Chemokines and Their Receptors.- The Structural Biology of Chemokines.- Chemokine Receptors: A Structural Overview.- Chemokine Signaling in T-Lymphocyte Migration: The Role of Phosphoinositide 3-kinase.- Chemokine Receptors and Neutrophil Trafficking.- Chemokine Receptors and Dendritic Cell Trafficking.- Chemokine Receptors and Lymphocyte Trafficking.- Chemokines in Trafficking of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells and Hematopoiesis.- Chemokines in Transplantation Biology.- The Chemokine System and Arthritis.- Chemokine Receptors in Atherosclerosis.- Chemokine Receptors in Allergic Lung Disease.- Chemokine Receptors and HIV/AIDS.- Chemokines and Their Receptors in Fibrosis.- Chemokines and Angiogenesis.- Chemokine Receptors in Cancer: Pathobiology and Potential Therapeutic Targets.- Chemokine Receptors in Neuroinflammation.- Pharmaceutical Targeting of Chemokine Receptors.