Chemokine receptors as therapeutic targets in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2006 Oct;27(10):546-53. doi: 10.1016/j.tips.2006.08.001. Epub 2006 Aug 30.

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an increasing global health problem for which there are no effective disease-modifying therapies. COPD involves chronic inflammation of small airways and lung parenchyma, with the recruitment of inflammatory cells. This inflammatory-cell trafficking is orchestrated by multiple chemokines, so the blockade of chemokine receptors with selective antagonists might be an effective anti-inflammatory strategy in this disease. Several studies support the implication of several chemokines and their receptors in COPD, including chemokine receptors CXCR2 and CXCR3, with small-molecule receptor antagonists that are in development being potential anti-inflammatory therapies. Such a pharmacological strategy would provide a mechanism with which to inhibit leukocyte recruitment and, hence, reduce the inflammatory profile in COPD, which is currently unaffected by pharmacotherapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Molecular Structure
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / drug therapy*
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / immunology
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / metabolism
  • Receptors, Chemokine* / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Chemokine* / immunology

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Receptors, Chemokine