Function of the chemokine receptor CXCR4 in haematopoiesis and in cerebellar development

CXCR4, a chemokine receptor, is expressed in cells of the immune and central nervous systems, and can control migration of resting leukocytes and haematopoietic progenitors. Mice lacking CXCR4 were found to show haematopoietic and cardiac defects the same as those of SDF-1-deficient mice, suggesting that it may be the only receptor for SDf-1. This is thought to be the first demonstration of G-protein-coupled chemokine receptor involvement in neuronal cell migration and patterning in the central nervous system.