The CXC chemokine receptor-
4 (CXCR4) is a G protein-
coupled receptor that is specific for stromal cell-
derived factor-
1 (SDF-
1/ CXCL12). Activation of CXCR4 promotes homing of hematopoietic stem cells, chemotaxis and quiescence of lymphocytes, and growth and metastasis of certain cancer cell types. Moreover, CXCR4 on CD4
+ T-
cells is used by CXCR4-
selective HIV forms as a gateway for T-
cell infection. WZ811 is a potent inhibitor of binding of an SDF-
1 peptide mimic to CXCR4 (EC
50 = 0.3 nM).
1 It prevents SDF-
1/CXCL12-
mediated modulation of cAMP (EC
50 = 1.2 nM) in cells and blocks SDF-
1-
induced Matrigel™ invasion by MDA-
MB-
231 human breast adenocarcinoma cells (EC
50 = 5.2 nM).
1 The effectiveness of WZ811 in animals remains to be elucidated.