Figures & data
Figure 1 Chemokine receptor CXCR3 and its ligands CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11. CXCR3 is a seven transmembrane G-protein coupled receptor. The DRY-motif is critical for engaging with cytoplasmic G-proteins to initiate signaling. CXCR3 binds three different ligands, ie, CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11. These ligands bind to specific and distinct regions within the receptor.
Table 1 Medically important neurotropic pathogens
Table 2 Role of CXCL10 in autoimmunity and infection of the CNS has been studied using both CXCL10 null mice and a neutralizing antibody
Figure 2 CXCL10 function can be either beneficial or detrimental to the host depending on the disease and context. Diseases of autoimmunity and neurodegeneration tend to be more severe in animals with a functioning CXCL10-CXCR3 axis. In contrast, the role of CXCL10 can be either beneficial or detrimental to the host during CNS infection. For example, during cerebral malaria, CXCL10 promotes a damaging infiltrate of leukocytes that does not appear to aid pathogen clearance. In comparison, CXCL10-driven responses to HSV appear protective by facilitating the entry of leukocytes that enhance pathogen clearance.
Table 3 Summary of small molecule inhibitors that have been used to modulate CXCL10 function