Volume 50, Issue 1 (5-2026)
Research in Medicine 2026, 50(1): 0-0 |
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Sheikholeslami M A, Zarei M. Chemokine receptors as novel therapeutic targets: a review of structure, function, and clinical applications. Research in Medicine 2026; 50 (1)
URL: http://pejouhesh.sbmu.ac.ir/article-1-3540-en.html
URL: http://pejouhesh.sbmu.ac.ir/article-1-3540-en.html
, masheikh@sbmu.ac.ir
Abstract: (15 Views)
Background and Aim: Chemokines and their receptors are key regulators of cell migration, leukocyte trafficking, and immune response organization, playing critical roles in a wide range of physiological and pathological processes. Chemokine receptors primarily belong to the family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and include the CCR, CXCR, CX3CR, and XCR subfamilies. In addition to conventional chemokine receptors, atypical chemokine receptors (ACKRs) regulate chemokine gradients, distribution, and availability, thereby modulating immune and inflammatory responses. Increasing evidence indicates that chemokine signaling pathways are involved not only in leukocyte migration but also in chronic inflammation, autoimmune diseases, HIV infection, angiogenesis, tumor progression, and metastasis.
Methods: In this review article, relevant studies published up to the end of 2025 (with an emphasis on articles from the last 10 years) were reviewed using keyword searches including “chemokine receptors”, “CXC receptors”, “CCR”, “ACKR”, “chemokine signaling”, and “chemokine-targeted therapy” in PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Articles that were fully relevant to the objectives of this article were reviewed.
Conclusion: Recent advances in biased signaling, atypical chemokine receptors, allosteric ligands, and photopharmacology have opened new perspectives for the development of more selective and precise therapeutic interventions. Overall, a deeper understanding of chemokine receptor biology and signaling may facilitate the development of next-generation targeted therapies for inflammatory disorders, malignancies, and immune-mediated diseases.
Methods: In this review article, relevant studies published up to the end of 2025 (with an emphasis on articles from the last 10 years) were reviewed using keyword searches including “chemokine receptors”, “CXC receptors”, “CCR”, “ACKR”, “chemokine signaling”, and “chemokine-targeted therapy” in PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Articles that were fully relevant to the objectives of this article were reviewed.
Conclusion: Recent advances in biased signaling, atypical chemokine receptors, allosteric ligands, and photopharmacology have opened new perspectives for the development of more selective and precise therapeutic interventions. Overall, a deeper understanding of chemokine receptor biology and signaling may facilitate the development of next-generation targeted therapies for inflammatory disorders, malignancies, and immune-mediated diseases.
Keywords: Chemokine receptors, Chemokines, G protein-coupled receptors, Atypical chemokine receptors, Cell migration, Inflammation, Cancer
Type of Study: Review |
Subject:
Pharmacology
Received: 2026/05/21 | Accepted: 2026/08/9 | Published: 2026/10/17
Received: 2026/05/21 | Accepted: 2026/08/9 | Published: 2026/10/17
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