kemokiineina

Kemokineina, or chemokines, are a family of small cytokines, or signaling proteins, secreted by cells. They play a crucial role in the immune system by mediating the migration of leukocytes (white blood cells) to sites of inflammation, infection, or injury. Chemokines are classified into four main groups based on the arrangement of their cysteine residues: CXC, CC, CX3C, and XC. The CXC chemokines contain a single amino acid between the first two cysteines, the CC chemokines have adjacent cysteines, the CX3C chemokines have three amino acids between the first two cysteines, and the XC chemokines lack the second cysteine.

Chemokines bind to specific G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) on the surface of target cells, triggering intracellular signaling pathways that regulate cell movement, adhesion, and activation. This process is essential for immune surveillance, tissue homeostasis, and the body’s response to pathogens. For example, CXCL8 (interleukin-8) is a well-known CXC chemokine that recruits neutrophils to infection sites, while CCL5 (regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted) is a CC chemokine involved in the recruitment of lymphocytes and monocytes.

Beyond their role in immunity, chemokines are also implicated in non-immune processes, including angiogenesis, tissue development, and neural signaling. Dysregulation of chemokine signaling has been linked to various pathological conditions, such as autoimmune diseases, cancer metastasis, and chronic inflammatory disorders. For instance, elevated levels of certain chemokines have been associated with rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis, while others may promote tumor progression by facilitating the infiltration of immune cells into cancerous tissues.

Research into chemokines continues to advance our understanding of immune regulation and disease mechanisms, offering potential targets for therapeutic intervention. Monoclonal antibodies, small-molecule inhibitors, and chemokine receptor antagonists are among the strategies being explored to modulate chemokine activity in diseases where their signaling is dysregulated.