Although chemokines were originally defined as host defense proteins it is now clear that
their repertoire of functions extend well beyond this role. For example chemokines such as
MGSA have growth regulatory properties while members of the CXC chemokine family can
be mediators or inhibitors of angiogenesis and may be important targets for oncology.
Recent work shows that the chemokine receptor CXCR4 and its cognate ligand SDF play
important roles in the development of the immune, circulatory and central nervous systems …