chemotaxis

Chemotaxis refers to the movement or orientation of an organism or cell in response to chemical signals. In immunology, this process is crucial for the function of the immune system.1

Chemokines, a type of cytokine, are small molecules secreted by cells that attract immune cells to specific locations in the body. These molecules act as chemical signals, guiding immune cells through a process called chemotaxis. Immune cells follow a gradient of increasing chemokine concentration, moving towards areas with higher levels of these signals.2

This directed movement is vital for the immune response, particularly at sites of inflammation where chemokines attract immune cells to combat infection or injury. Research into chemokines has also shed light on diseases like HIV/AIDS, with some chemokines showing potential in controlling the virus.2