The role of CXC chemokines in pulmonary fibrosis

J Clin Invest. 2007 Mar;117(3):549-56. doi: 10.1172/JCI30562.

Abstract

The CXC chemokine family is a pleiotropic family of cytokines that are involved in promoting the trafficking of various leukocytes, in regulating angiogenesis and vascular remodeling, and in promoting the mobilization and trafficking of mesenchymal progenitor cells such as fibrocytes. These functions of CXC chemokines are important in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis and other fibroproliferative disorders. In this Review, we discuss the biology of CXC chemokine family members, specifically as it relates to their role in regulating vascular remodeling and trafficking of circulating mesenchymal progenitor cells (also known as fibrocytes) in pulmonary fibrosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Chemokines, CXC / physiology*
  • Fibroblasts / pathology
  • Fibroblasts / physiology
  • Humans
  • Lung / blood supply*
  • Lung / pathology*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / etiology*
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis / etiology*
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis / pathology
  • Stem Cells / pathology
  • Stem Cells / physiology

Substances

  • Chemokines, CXC