The role of chemokines and chemokine receptors in mucosal inflammation

Chemokines represent a large family of small cytokines, the main function of which is the attraction of leukocytes to different tissues. Several chemokines and their receptors have been shown to play a critical role in lymphoid development, mucosal immunity, and inflammation. In this article we review recent advances in chemokine physiology and their potential role in the pathogenesis of mucosal inflammation. We also discuss the potential for the use of chemokine or chemokine receptor antagonists as novel therapies for inflammatory bowel disease.