The Chemokine Receptors

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute a large superfamily of proteins that have been historically well represented as drug targets. As such, many of the volumes within The Receptors series have focused their attention on rec- tor subfamilies in the GPCR superfamily (e. g. , adrenergic, serotonergic, do- minergic). While chemokine receptors are relatively young, in terms of the knowledge that has accumulated regarding their roles in physiology and pat- logy, it is clear that this GPCR subfamily is dwar? ng all others with respect to the total number of receptors and their functional diversity. The breadth of the chemokine ? eld was not fully appreciated in the early days of chemokine d- covery, when the characterization of these molecules was largely a curiosity of a small set of biologists primarily interested in in? ammation. Presently, the ? eld of chemokinology is quite diverse, and it is nearly impossible to stay informed on all aspects of chemokine biology. Nonetheless, this book seeks to distill information regarding the molecular and cell biology, physiology, and pathology of chemokines and their receptors into a single volume, providing an excellent resource for those entering the ? eld or the most experienced c- mokinologist seeking new insights. In the chapters, leading authorities consider structural and cellular aspects of chemokines and chemokine receptors, and more notably, discuss the roles of these molecules in a variety of disease states that transcend their classically de? ned role(s) in in? ammation.