Chemokine signaling regulates apoptosis as well as immune cell traffic in host defense

In the struggle for optimal host defense against infection with viruses, two major events are critical: death of the infected host cell and proper immune cell activation at the site of infection. Here we summarize our recent work indicating that chemokines exhibit a distinct capacity to regulate both of these events. We put particular emphasis on a recently completed study indicating that chemokine CCL5 may prevent cell death and thereby preserve innate immune cell function in the setting of viral infection. In addition, we introduce new work to support the more traditional role of CCL5 in mediating adaptive immune cell traffic and activation in this same setting.