Volume 68, July 2000 | John A. Belperio,† Michael P. Keane,† Douglas A. Arenberg,† Christina L. Addison,† Jan E. Ehler,† Marie D. Burdick,* and Robert M. Strieter*
The article reviews the role of CXC chemokines in angiogenesis, a process crucial for both physiological and pathological conditions. CXC chemokines are a unique family of cytokines characterized by four highly conserved cysteine residues and a second structural domain that determines their angiogenic potential. Members of this family can either promote or inhibit angiogenesis, depending on the presence of the ELR motif. ELR+ CXC chemokines, such as interleukin-8 (IL-8) and growth-related genes (GROs), are potent promoters of angiogenesis and are involved in tumor growth and metastasis. In contrast, ELR− CXC chemokines, such as interferon-γ-inducible protein (IP-10) and monokine induced by interferon-γ (MIG), are potent inhibitors of angiogenesis and are involved in chronic inflammatory and fibroproliferative disorders. The article highlights the importance of these chemokines in regulating angiogenesis and suggests that targeting them may be a novel approach to treat solid tumors and chronic fibroproliferative disorders.The article reviews the role of CXC chemokines in angiogenesis, a process crucial for both physiological and pathological conditions. CXC chemokines are a unique family of cytokines characterized by four highly conserved cysteine residues and a second structural domain that determines their angiogenic potential. Members of this family can either promote or inhibit angiogenesis, depending on the presence of the ELR motif. ELR+ CXC chemokines, such as interleukin-8 (IL-8) and growth-related genes (GROs), are potent promoters of angiogenesis and are involved in tumor growth and metastasis. In contrast, ELR− CXC chemokines, such as interferon-γ-inducible protein (IP-10) and monokine induced by interferon-γ (MIG), are potent inhibitors of angiogenesis and are involved in chronic inflammatory and fibroproliferative disorders. The article highlights the importance of these chemokines in regulating angiogenesis and suggests that targeting them may be a novel approach to treat solid tumors and chronic fibroproliferative disorders.