Chemokines in allergic aspergillosis--from animal models to human lung diseases

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a frequent syndrome in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) or asthma. Animal models revealed distinct roles for the chemokines CCL2, CCL3, CCL5, CCL6, CCL17 and CCL22 and their receptors in the pathogenesis of allergic aspergillosis. In humans, serum levels of the CCR4 ligand CCL17 identified ABPA in patients with CF or asthma, suggesting CCL17 as novel diagnostic marker and future therapeutical target in ABPA. This review illustrates the manifold role of chemokines in animal models of allergic aspergillosis and translates these findings to human lung diseases.