However, chemokine receptors on leukocytes can do more than just direct migration, and these molecules can also be expressed on, and regulate the biology of, many nonleukocytic cell types. Classically viewed as inducers of directed chemotactic migration, it is now clear that chemokines can stimulate a variety of other types of directed and undirected migratory behavior, such as haptotaxis, chemokinesis, and haptokinesis, in addition to inducing cell arrest or adhesion. Consequently, chemokines play a central role in the development and homeostasis of the immune system, and are involved in all protective or destructive immune and inflammatory responses. They are best known for their ability to stimulate the migration of cells, most notably white blood cells (leukocytes). The chemokines (or chemotactic cytokines) are a large family of small, secreted proteins that signal through cell surface G proteinācoupled heptahelical chemokine receptors.
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