Chemokines are chemotactic cytokines involved in a number of pathological processes, including inflammatory conditions. Chemokines play a role in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory diseases. Based on a burgeoning body of literature, RA was chosen as a prototype to discuss this issue. In this review, the authors give a detailed introduction to the classification and function of chemokines and their receptors. This is followed by a discussion of the role of chemokines and chemokine receptors in RA. Chemokines interact with other inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines. Thus, the regulation of chemokine production and the place of chemokines in the network of inflammatory mediators present in the rheumatoid synovium are also reviewed. Finally, potential strategies using anti-chemokine or anti-chemokine receptor biologicals in anti-rheumatic therapy are discussed.