Chemokines and Chemokine Receptors in the Brain

Abstract

Besides their well-established role of inducing cell migration in the immune system, it is now proven that chemokines and their receptors also play a role in the central nervous system (CNS). The best known central action is the ability of chemokines to act as immunoinflammatory mediators. Indeed, they regulate leukocyte infiltration in the brain during inflammatory and infectious diseases. Recent studies, however clearly demonstrate that chemokines and their receptors are expressed by glial and neuronal cells in the CNS, where they are involved in neurotransmission. The purpose of this chapter is to summarize the latest information concerning the role of chemokines in various central functions. The first part will focus on the expression of chemokines and their receptors in the CNS with the emphasis on neuronal expression. In the second part, we will discuss the involvement of chemokines and their receptors in different spinal and supraspinal mechanisms. In conclusion, a better understanding of the implication of chemokines in cell communication will lead to: (1) the identification of new pathways for neuron-neuron and/or glia-glia and/or neuron-glia cross-talk relevant to both normal brain function and neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative pathologies; (2) the development of new therapeutic approaches for yet untreatable nervous diseases.