Fig. 1.

Understanding the biology of chemokine receptors. The focus of our research is schematically presented, and the four different areas integrate some complex observations that suggest key regulatory functions of chemokine receptors. Our observations suggest that signaling chemokine receptors play a role in clearance of specific ligands with important implications for receptors that bind to more than one ligand, and where blockade approaches are proposed. CXCR2 is explored in the context of demyelinating models, and preliminary data show that the absence of CXCR2 in the CNS is associated with enhanced tissue repair. Also, CXCR2 is presented as an important chemoattractant for neutrophils during JHM strain of mouse hepatitis virus (JHMV) infection, and we are currently studying the role of neutrophil-derived MMP9 in BBB integrity. Developmental studies are used to examine the role of CXCR7 during neurogenesis.