Chemokines: What They are and How They Work
What are chemokines?
Chemokines are tiny, secreted signaling proteins produced and released by many different types of cells in the body. Secreted means they are released outside the cell into the surrounding environment rather than staying inside the cell. Their main job is to guide cells of the immune system to the right place at the right time. Chemokines help our immune system respond to an infection or injury by directing immune cells to move, multiply, and/or fight the problem.
How do chemokines work in the body?
Every chemokine works by binding to a special sensor on the surface of other cells called a chemokine receptor. These receptors belong to a very large family of proteins known as G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs). When a chemokine binds to its receptor, it activates G proteins inside the cell. G proteins act like tiny switches or messengers that pass the signal along. This can trigger a wide range of responses: the cell may start moving in a particular direction, produce enzymes to break down barriers, change its shape so it can squeeze between tissues, or release its own set of signals to coordinate with other immune cells.
Chemokine receptors and other GPCRs have a characteristic shape that weaves in and out of the cell membrane exactly seven times, like a ribbon passing back and forth through a wall. Scientists call this a heptahelical or seven-transmembrane helix structure. This shape allows the receptor to transmit the chemokine’s signal from the outside of the cell to the inside, where G proteins and other molecules can respond.
Are there different types of chemokines?
Chemokines can be classified in a few ways. In terms of function, there are two main types of chemokines, inflammatory and homeostatic chemokines.
Inflammatory chemokines appear when the body is under attack, such as during an infection or injury. Their role is to alert and attract immune cells such as neutrophils, monocytes, and T cells to the exact location of the problem. For example, inflammatory chemokines could help concentrate white blood cells at a specific spot so they can destroy the bacteria and prevent the infection from spreading if bacteria entered a wound. They are usually produced only for short bursts of time and in specific locations.
Homeostatic chemokines are present even when nothing seems wrong. They keep the immune system organized during normal conditions by guiding developing immune cells to the thymus or bone marrow, where the cells mature, and by directing lymphocytes to the lymph nodes, where they patrol for signs of infection. Without these steady signals, our immune system would be scattered and less effective at preventing disease. Unlike inflammatory chemokines, homeostatic chemokines are expressed continuously, and act like permanent road signs to keep immune traffic flowing smoothly.
Why do chemokines matter?
A chemokine's job is to provide fast and precise guidance and allow the immune system to respond quickly to infections, heal injuries, and maintain balance in everyday life. They also play important roles in wound repair, the growth of new blood vessels, and even in brain development. However, chemokines are not always helpful. If a chemokine's signals go wrong, they can contribute to chronic inflammation, cancer spread, asthma, and autoimmune diseases, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues. As a result, scientists are actively studying chemokines and their receptors. The hope is that by better understanding how proteins guide cells, researchers can design new treatments for some of the diseases we face today.
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