Chemokines: Types, Functions, & Structural Characteristics

Chemokines are a family of small cytokines, or proteins secreted by cells. Their name is derived from their ability to induce directed chemotaxis in nearby responsive cells. The major role of chemokines is to act as a chemoattractant to guide the migration of cells. Cells that are attracted by chemokines follow a signal of increasing chemokine concentration towards the source of the chemokine. This book presents current research in the study of chemokines from across the globe, including such topics as development of chemokine network targeting agents for the treatment of allergic, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases and cancers; chemokines in teleost fish species; gene regulation of chemokines in response to bacterial enterotoxins; and the role of chemokines in colorectal cancer and metastasis.