Chemokine and Chemokine Receptor in Human Physiological and Pathological Processes
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Immunology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2025 | Viewed by 110
Special Issue Editor
Interests: host/pathogens interactions; intracellular pathogens; new therapeutic treatments
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Chemokines are a large family defined by the presence of four cysteines that form two disulfide bridges: one between the first and third cysteines, and another between the second and fourth cysteines. This arrangement of cysteines allows for the identification of four subfamilies.
Chemokines act through membrane receptors that belong to the rhodopsin-like receptor family. These receptors are characterized by seven transmembrane domains associated with heterotrimeric G proteins. Activation of these receptors causes an increase in intracellular calcium concentration and membrane phospholipid metabolism by phospholipases C, D, and A2.
Chemokines and chemokine receptors are primarily involved in human physiology and in pathological processes by regulating the inflammatory process, chemotaxis, and immune response. They are involved in the formation and maintenance of lymphoid tissue, embryonic development, wound healing, and regulation of tissue homeostasis. Moreover, they regulate cellular trafficking of immune system cells, guiding immune cells to sites of infection or inflammation and contributing to an effective immune response. However, changes in the production or activity of chemokines, as well as genetic mutations of their receptors, can contribute to the development of a wide range of pathological conditions. An alteration of the chemokine–chemokine receptor axis has been shown to be involved in chronic inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease), and psoriasis, and autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus and multiple sclerosis.
Bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis are conditions that involve an excessive immune response to allergens. Chemokines may contribute to inflammation of the respiratory tract with the attraction of immune cells involved in allergic reactions.
Additionally, chemokines and their receptors may play a role in tumor progression by facilitating tumor metastasis, the formation of new tumor sites, and interaction with the tumor microenvironment through the angiogenesis process and tumor cell attraction.
Finally, chemokines may attract immune cells involved in the response against pathogens during viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections. Some pathogens can manipulate chemokines and their receptors to favor their spread and survival in the host organism.
In summary, chemokines and their receptors constitute a highly regulated and interconnected system that plays a central role in orchestrating the immune and inflammatory response of the human body. Understanding the mechanisms involved in their action may be crucial for developing new therapeutic strategies for a wide range of medical pathological conditions.
This Special Issue invites authors to submit original and review articles that offer insights into the chemokine–chemokine receptor system to better understand the mechanisms of human pathologies and to open up new therapeutic strategies.
I look forward to receiving your valuable contributions.
Dr. Cinzia Giagulli
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- chemokines
- chemokine receptors
- cancer
- inflammatory disease
- pathogens
- immune system
- homeostasis
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