CXCR4 Chemokine Receptor Overview: Biology, Pathology and Applications in Imaging and Therapy

licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/). Reproduction is permitted for personal, noncommercial use, provided that the article is in whole, unmodified, and properly cited. Received: 2012.12.23; Accepted: 2012.12.24; Published: 2013.01.12 CXCR4 is a member of the chemokine receptor subfamily of seven transmembrane domained, G-protein coupled receptors, whose sole known natural ligand is CXCL12/SDF-1. CXCR4 is an unusual chemokine receptor by virtue of having expanded roles beyond leukocyte recruitment, including fundamental processes such as the development of the hematopoietic, cardiovascular, and nervous systems during embryogenesis. The receptor was first discovered as one of the co-receptors for HIV, and thereafter was also found to be expressed by multiple cancers including breast, prostate, lung, colon and multiple myeloma.