Targeting Chemokine Receptors in Allergy

Abstract

Allergic and asthmatic diseases stubbornly plague a growing number of Americans and the clinical cost of treating these diseases shows no sign of abating. Persistent peribronchial inflammation (consisting primarily of eosinophils and mononuclear cells) and airway hyperresponsiveness to various stimuli (either antigen-specific or nonspecific) are key features of asthma. Despite concerted efforts in this regard, the mechanisms that lead to the initiation and chronicity of allergic airway inflammation during asthma remain poorly understood. Consequently, the development of inflammation-specific therapeutic interventions for this disorder have proved challenging, but necessary, in light of the fact that the anti-inflammatory effects of corticosteroids diminish with continual use and may not eliminate the airway remodeling features associated with asthma. Recent clinical and basic research suggests that targeting chemokines and/or chemokine receptors shows promise in the treatment of asthma and asthma-like diseases.