Cytokines, chemokines, RANTES, and eotaxin

Over the past several years, a number of cytokines with chemoattractive pro perties (chemokines) have been identified. These low molecular weight molec ules have been shown to be important leukocyte chemical attractants to site s of inflammation and infection. Chemokines act on leukocytes through selec tive receptors and are now known to function also in leukocyte maturation, trafficking, and homing of these cells. RANTES and eotaxin (among other che mokines) are important chemoattractants for eosinophils. Since eosinophils seem to play a critical role in the production of allergic inflammation, an understanding of the mechanism of action of these chemokines may lend to n ew therapies for asthma and other allergic processes.