Chemokines in allergic airway disease

Expression of chemokine receptors on T helper 2 cells and eosinophils has been postulated to be the mechanism by which these cells are selectively recruited to the lung during allergic inflammatory reactions. Mouse models have provided evidence to show that blocking the ligands for these receptors is successful in abrogating the pathophysiological effects of allergen challenge. However, recent studies describing the effect of genetic deletions of these chemokine receptors have not confirmed the results obtained with ligand knockouts or neutralising antibodies. Coupled with the realisation that, because of a lack of species cross-reactivity, it is not possible to test small molecule antagonists against human receptors in the original in vivo animal models, the future of chemokine receptor therapeutics is in question. However, recent advances have been made regarding the therapeutic potential of blocking the chemokine receptors CCR3, CCR4 and CCR8 in allergic airway disease.