Roles of chemokines in ocular allergy and possible therapeutic strategies

Cornea. 2004 Nov;23(8 Suppl):S48-54. doi: 10.1097/01.ico.0000136671.50777.fe.

Abstract

The mechanism of ocular surface allergy in the forms of atopic conjunctivitis and vernal keratoconjunctivitis has been highlighted by specific functions of chemokines. In the context of late-phase allergic responses, these molecules have key roles in recruitment and activation of leukocytes. Their interaction with ligands is redundantly regulated; however, results from strategies to block subsets of chemokines have revealed unexpected or highly organized roles of these mediators. Exemplified by analyses of CCL11 function, current concepts of ocular allergy support CCL11 as central mediator. We emphasize the functions as modulator of mast cell activation/differentiation. With the prospect of understanding these functions, new modalities of drugs specifically developed to target CCL11/CCR3 interaction have been discussed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Allergic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Chemokine CCL11
  • Chemokines, CC / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Chemokines, CC / physiology*
  • Conjunctivitis, Allergic / drug therapy*
  • Conjunctivitis, Allergic / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Mast Cells / immunology
  • Receptors, CCR3
  • Receptors, Chemokine / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Chemokine / physiology*

Substances

  • Anti-Allergic Agents
  • CCL11 protein, human
  • CCR3 protein, human
  • Chemokine CCL11
  • Chemokines, CC
  • Ligands
  • Receptors, CCR3
  • Receptors, Chemokine