Chemokine and chemokine receptor structure and interactions: implications for therapeutic strategies. Issue 4 (24th February 2015) - Kufareva, Irina
Abstract : The control of cell migration by chemokines involves interactions with two types of receptors: seven transmembrane chemokine‐type G protein‐coupled receptors and cell surface or extracellular matrix‐associated glycosaminoglycans. Coordinated interaction of chemokines with both types of receptors is required for directional migration of cells in numerous physiological and pathological processes. Accumulated structural information, culminating most recently in the structure of a chemokine receptor in complex with a chemokine, has led to a view where chemokine oligomers bind to glycosaminoglycans through epitopes formed when chemokine subunits come together, while chemokine monomers bind to receptors in a pseudo two‐step mechanism of receptor activation. Exploitation of this structural knowledge has and will continue to provide important information for therapeutic strategies, as described in this review. Abstract : The April 2015 issue contains a Special Feature on "Chemokines in cellular positioning and human disease". Chemokines serve as critical extracellular mediators of cell migration and retention. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of how cells are positioned within peripheral and lymphoid tissues for the development of timely effector and memory responses. In addition, advances in structural determination of chemokine receptor‐ligand complexes and the identification of genetic mutations that impact cell migration have brought us closer to targeting this system for the development of new anti‐inflammatory and anti‐tumor based drugs. Immunology and Cell Biology thanks the coordinator of this Special Feature ‐ Joanna Groom ‐ for her planning and input.