  Expression of beta-chemokines and chemokine receptors in human
fetal astrocyte and microglial co-cultures: potential role of
chemokines in the developing CNS.  Chemokines play specific
roles in directing the recruitment of leukocyte subsets into
inflammatory foci within the central nervous system (CNS). The
involvement of these cytokines as mediators of inflammation is
widely accepted. Recently, it has become evident that cells of
the CNS (astrocytes, microglia, and neurons) not only
synthesize, but also respond functionally or chemotactically to
chemokines. We previously reported developmental events
associated with colonization of the human fetal CNS by
mononuclear phagocytes (microglial precursors), which
essentially takes place within the first two trimesters of life.
As part of the array of signals driving colonization, we noted
specific anatomical distribution of chemokines and chemokine
receptors expressed during this period. In order to further
characterize expression of these molecules, we have iso