C-X-C motif chemokine receptor (CXCR)

The C-X-C motif chemokine receptor (CXCR) family comprises a group of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) primarily responsible for directing the migration and activation of leukocytes, including T cells and Natural Killer (NK) cells (UniProt, 2024). These receptors, such as CXCR3, CXCR4, and CXCR6, recognize specific CXC chemokines (e.g., CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL12) to facilitate immune cell homing to lymphoid organs or sites of injury and infection (PubMed: 21844396). In the context of disease, CXCR signaling is frequently dysregulated; for instance, CXCR4 is a key co-receptor for HIV entry and is involved in cancer metastasis, while CXCR3 is central to the recruitment of inflammatory T cells in autoimmune disorders (PubMed: 28231599). Therapeutic targeting of these receptors aims to modulate immune responses by blocking the recruitment of pathogenic cells or, conversely, enhancing the infiltration of effector cells into tumors (StatPearls, 2023). Current pharmacological agents include small molecule antagonists like Plerixafor and monoclonal antibodies that disrupt the chemokine-receptor axis to treat conditions ranging from hematologic malignancies to chronic inflammatory diseases (PubChem, 2024).

Other names

CXC chemokine receptorCXCRAlpha chemokine receptorCXC receptor

Antagonism of chemokine binding to inhibit G protein-mediated signaling and subsequent leukocyte recruitment, migration, and homing.