Beyond chemoattraction: multifunctionality of chemokine receptors in leukocytes

26 p.-2 tab.The word chemokine is a combination of the words chemotactic and cytokine, in other words cytokines that promote chemotaxis. Hence, the term chemokine receptor refers largely to the ability to regulate chemoattraction. However, these receptors can modulate additional leukocyte functions, as exemplified by the case of CCR7 which, apart from chemotaxis, regulates survival, migratory speed, endocytosis, differentiation and cytoarchitecture. We present evidence highlighting that multifunctionality is a common feature of chemokine receptors. Based on the activities that they regulate, we suggest that chemokine receptors can be classified into inflammatory (which control both inflammatory and homeostatic functions) and homeostatic families. The information accrued also suggests that the non-chemotactic functions controlled by chemokine receptors may contribute to optimizing leukocyte functioning under normal physiological conditions and during inflammation.J.L.R.F. was supported by grants awarded by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (SAF2008-01468), Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (SAF2011-23890, SAF2014-53151-R), RIER (RETICS Program/Instituto de Salud Carlos III) (RD08/0075), and Consejería de Educación y Empleo from Comunidad de Madrid (Raphyme, S2010/BMD-2350). P.L.C. was supported by an FPI scholarship (Ministerio de Economía y competitividad). C.G-M. was supported by a contract associated with Grant Raphyme S2010/BMD-2350 (Consejería de Educación y Empleo, Comunidad de Madrid).Peer reviewe