Abstract

Chemokines belong to a large family of chemoattractant molecules involved in the directed migration of immune cells. They achieve their cellular effects by direct interaction with cell surface receptors. The chemokine receptor CCR1 appears to be involved in a variety of proinflammatory and autoimmune diseases and this makes it a very attractive therapeutic target. This review discusses the identification, chemistry, biology and therapeutic potential of BX 471 a potent CCR1 antagonist that is currently in the clinic for a variety of indications.

Keywords: chemokine receptors, rantes, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, organ transplant rejection, atherosclerosis, psoriasis