Chemokine binding proteins encoded by pathogens

Abstract

Chemokines are chernoartractant cytokines that play an important role in immunity. The role ofchemokines against invading pathogens is emphas ized by the expression of chemokine inhibitors by many pathogens. A mechanims employed by poxviruses and herpesviruses is the secretion ofchemokine bindingproteins unrelated to host receptors that bind chemokines with high affinity and block their activity. Soluble chemokine binding proteins have also been identified in the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni and in ticks.The binding specificiry of these inhibitors ofcell migration point at chemokines that contribute to host defense mechanisms against various pathogens. Chemokine binding proteins modulate the immune response and may lead to new therapeutic approaches to treat inflamatory diseases. © 2009 Landes Bioscience and Springer Science+Business Media.