Published online 17 November 2005; doi:10.1038/ni1275 | Andrew D Luster1, Ronen Alon2 & Ulrich H von Andrian3
The article reviews the emerging field of leukocyte trafficking, highlighting its significance in both therapeutic intervention and disease pathogenesis. Leukocyte trafficking involves a series of molecular steps that control the movement of immune cells into and out of specific tissues, contributing to various inflammatory conditions. The authors emphasize the importance of understanding the specific subsets of immune cells involved in inflammatory diseases and the molecular mechanisms that regulate their migration. They discuss the challenges in developing effective and safe therapies that target leukocyte trafficking while minimizing the risk of infectious complications. The review also explores the potential of using pharmacological inhibitors of leukocyte migration to treat a wide range of inflammatory diseases, such as psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. The authors highlight the need for more precise targeting of leukocyte subsets and the development of combinatorial therapies to achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes. Finally, they outline future directions, including the exploration of additional checkpoints in leukocyte trafficking and the importance of understanding the broader implications of inhibiting specific leukocyte subsets.The article reviews the emerging field of leukocyte trafficking, highlighting its significance in both therapeutic intervention and disease pathogenesis. Leukocyte trafficking involves a series of molecular steps that control the movement of immune cells into and out of specific tissues, contributing to various inflammatory conditions. The authors emphasize the importance of understanding the specific subsets of immune cells involved in inflammatory diseases and the molecular mechanisms that regulate their migration. They discuss the challenges in developing effective and safe therapies that target leukocyte trafficking while minimizing the risk of infectious complications. The review also explores the potential of using pharmacological inhibitors of leukocyte migration to treat a wide range of inflammatory diseases, such as psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. The authors highlight the need for more precise targeting of leukocyte subsets and the development of combinatorial therapies to achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes. Finally, they outline future directions, including the exploration of additional checkpoints in leukocyte trafficking and the importance of understanding the broader implications of inhibiting specific leukocyte subsets.