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The CXCR1/2 Pathway: Involvement in Diabetes Pathophysiology and Potential Target for T1D Interventions

  • Immunology and Transplantation (A Pileggi, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Although numerous chemokine/chemokine receptor pathways have been described to be implicated in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes (T1D), the CXCR1/2 axis has recently been proved to be crucial for leucocyte recruitment involved in insulitis and β cell damage. Multiple strategies blocking the CXCR1/2 pathway are available such as neutralizing antibodies, small molecules and peptide-derived inhibitors. They were firstly and widely used in cancer thanks to their anti-tumorigenic activity and only recently they were tested as a new interventional approach for T1D. As well, CXCR1/2 inhibition has been demonstrated to prevent inflammation- and autoimmunity-mediated damage of the pancreatic islets through inhibiting the migration of CXCR1/2-expressing cells. Among them, neutrophils, macrophages, and, although to a smaller extent, lymphoid cells are the main CXCR1/2-expressing cells. These results supported the active role of the innate immunity in the autoimmune process and opened new interventional approaches for the management of T1D.

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Conflict of Interest

Antonio Citro and Elisa Cantarelli declare that they have no conflict of interest. Lorenzo Piemonti reports grants and personal fees from Dompè S.P.A. He has a patent on inhibitors of CXCR1/2 as adjuvants in the transplant of pancreatic islets licensed 14 April 2011.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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  1. San Raffaele Diabetes Research Institute, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy

    Antonio Citro, Elisa Cantarelli & Lorenzo Piemonti

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  1. Antonio Citro
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Correspondence to Antonio Citro.

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Citro, A., Cantarelli, E. & Piemonti, L. The CXCR1/2 Pathway: Involvement in Diabetes Pathophysiology and Potential Target for T1D Interventions. Curr Diab Rep 15, 68 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-015-0638-x

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