Chemokines are tiny, uncomplicated proteins belonging to the group of cytokines. They are secreted by various types of cells found in our body. They play an important role in the body's immune processes. How do chemokines work? When does their concentration in the body increase?

Chemokineshave been discovered relatively recently. The term "chemokines" was introduced into the language of science only in 1992. Intensive research is still ongoing on them, in the process of discovering new substances belonging to this group. Today we know that chemokines are found in the body of all vertebrates, some viruses and bacteria.

The name "chemokines" comes from the English language. It is derived from the phrase " chemoattractant cytokines ", meaning chemically attracting cytokines. This formulation determines to some extent the nature of this group of substances. Chemokines have the ability to trigger a process called chemotaxis in the cells they attach to.

Contents:

  1. Chemokines: what is chemotaxis?
  2. Chemokines: role in the inflammatory process
  3. Chemokines: other tasks
  4. Chemokines: chemokine concentration disturbances
  5. Chemokines: chemokine research

Chemokines: what is chemotaxis?

Chemotaxis is the movement of a cell or organism towards a chemical stimulus. This is a very primal mechanism. Simple organisms such as bacteria and protozoa have the ability to perform this kind of movement.

The chemotaxis movement is also characteristic of human leukocytes. When the body is attacked by microbes or other irritating external factors, immune cells travel through the tissues towards the threat. When choosing the migration route, they are guided by chemical information. The role of chemokines in this process is to stimulate the leukocytes to start their journey.

Chemokines: role in the inflammatory process

Chemokines are proteins involved in causing inflammation in our body. This means that they put the immune cells on high alert. The mechanism of this action is based on the ability of these molecules to attach to receptors on cell membranes.

By attaching to the appropriate receptors, chemokines stimulatethe movement of immune cells into the tissues of the organism that has been diseased. However, these proteins perform many more regulatory functions:

  • participate in the processes of anti-infective immunity,
  • control hemopoiesis, i.e. blood cell production,
  • participate in embryogenesis,
  • affect organogenesis,
  • take part in the regulation of apoptosis, i.e. suicidal cell death,
  • affect angiogenesis, i.e. the process of capillary formation.

Chemokines: other tasks

The aforementioned functions indicate that chemokines have much broader responsibilities in the body than just controlling inflammation. It turns out that we can distinguish two groups of these proteins:

  • pro-inflammatory - stimulating immune functionPro-inflammatory chemokines are produced during the immune response to stimulate immune cells at the site of infection.
  • homeostatic - responsible for maintaining the balance of processes in the bodyHomeostatic chemokines are involved in controlling cell migration during normal processes of maintaining or developing tissues.

All these proteins have a common mechanism of action - they attach to the appropriate membrane receptors, thus influencing the activity of the cell. They also have a very similar, simple protein structure. Differences in the structure of receptors determine the type of chemokine a cell is sensitive to.

Attaching the appropriate protein from this group can stimulate the cell to:

  • migration,
  • cell divisions,
  • apoptosis.

Chemokines: chemokine concentration disturbances

The deviation from the physiological concentration of chemokines is associated with a number of pathological processes. This situation occurs in the course of disturbances in the proper course of haemopoiesis. The increased level of proteins from this group is characteristic of:

  • inflammation in the body,
  • allergic conditions,
  • wound healing process,
  • the process of creating new blood vessels,
  • neoplastic and metastatic processes.

Chemokines: chemokine research

Recently, intensive research has been carried out on the processes related to the activity of chemokines. New research may reveal new treatments for chronic inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. In both disorders, an increased concentration of chemokines is observed. New substances belonging to thethis group. The work helps to understand the role of these proteins in the development of autoimmune and cancer diseases.

About the authorSara Janowska, MA in pharmacyPhD student of interdisciplinary doctoral studies in the field of pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences at the Medical University of Lublin and the Institute of Biotechnology in Białystok. A graduate of pharmaceutical studies at the Medical University of Lublin with a specialization in Plant Medicine. She obtained a master's degree defending a thesis in the field of pharmaceutical botany on the antioxidant properties of extracts obtained from twenty species of mosses. Currently, in his research work, he deals with the synthesis of new anti-cancer substances and the study of their properties on cancer cell lines. For two years she worked as a master of pharmacy in an open pharmacy.

Category:

Immune system