DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] All references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

[0033] I. General

[0034] The present invention provides DNA sequences encoding various mammalian proteins, including chemokines, or which exhibit structural properties characteristic of a 7 transmembrane receptor. See, e.g., Ruffolo and Hollinger (eds. 1995) G-Protein Coupled Transmembrane Signaling Mechanisms CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla.; Watson and Arkinstall (1994) The G-Protein Linked Receptor FactsBook Academic Press, San Diego, Calif.; Peroutka (ed. 1994) G Protein-Coupled Receptors CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla.; Houslay and Milligan (1990) G-Proteins as Mediators of Cellular Signaling Processes Wiley and Sons, New York, N.Y. Certain mouse and human embodiments are described herein.

[0035] Among the many types of ligands which mediate biology via these receptors are chemokines and certain proteases. Chemokines play an important role in immune and inflammatory responses by inducing migration and adhesion of leukocytes. See, e.g., Schall (1991) Cytokine 3:165-183; and Thomson (ed.) The Cytokine Handbook Academic Press, NY. Chemokines are secreted by activated leukocytes and act as a chemoattractant for a variety of cells which are involved in inflammation. Besides chemoattractant properties, chemokines have been shown to induce other biological responses, e.g., modulation of second messenger levels such as Ca⁺⁺; inositol phosphate pool changes (see, e.g., Berridge (1993) Nature 361:315-325 or Billah and Anthes (1990) Biochem. J. 269:281-291); cellular morphology modification responses; phosphoinositide lipid turnover; possible antiviral responses; and others. Thus, the chemokines provided herein may, alone or in combination with other therapeutic reagents, have advantageous combination effects.

[0036] Moreover, there are reasons to suggest that chemokines may have effects on other cell types, e.g., attraction or activation of monocytes, dendritic cells, T cells, eosinophils, and/or perhaps on basophils and/or neutrophils. They may also have chemoattractive effects on various neural cells including, e.g., dorsal root ganglia neurons in the peripheral nervous system and/or central nervous system neurons.

[0037] G-protein coupled receptors, e.g., chemokine receptors, are important in the signal transduction mechanisms mediated by their ligands. They are useful markers for distinguishing cell populations, and have been implicated as specific receptors for retroviral infections.

[0038] The chemokine superfamily was classically divided into two groups exhibiting characteristic structural motifs, the Cys-X-Cys (C-X-C) and Cys-Cys (C-C) families. These were distinguished on the basis of a single amino acid insertion between the NH-proximal pair of cysteine residues and sequence similarity. Typically, the C-X-C chemokines, i.e., IL-8 and MGSA/Gro-α act on neutrophils but not on monocytes, whereas the C-C chemokines, i.e., MIP-1α and RANTES, are potent chemoattractants for monocytes and lymphocytes but not neutrophils. See, e.g., Miller, et al. (1992) Crit. Rev. Immunol. 12:17-46. A recently isolated chemokine, lymphotactin, does not belong to either group and may constitute a first member of a third chemokine family, the C family. Lymphotactin does not have a characteristic CC or CXC motif, and acts on lymphocytes but not neutrophils and monocytes. See, e.g., Kelner et al. (1994) Science 266:1395-1399. This chemokine defines a new C-C chemokine family. Even more recently, another chemokine exhibiting a CX3C motif has been identified, which establishes a fourth structural class.

[0039] The present invention provides additional chemokine reagents, e.g., nucleic acids, proteins and peptides, antibodies, etc., related to the newly discovered chemokine designated rodent CXC N4.

[0040] In other embodiments, the invention provides genes encoding novel G-protein coupled receptors, designated mouse DNAXCCR10 and primate BLRX. Their ligands have not yet specifically been identified, but the DNAXCCR10 responds to binding to the chemokine MIP-3α. See Hieshima, et al. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272:5846-5853; Hromas, et al. (1997) Blood 89:3315-3322; and Baba, et al. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272:14893-14898. The receptors exhibit structural features typical of known 7 transmembrane spanning receptors, which receptors include chemokine receptors. The receptors may exhibit properties of binding many different cytokines at varying specificities (shared or promiscuous binding specificity) or may exhibit high affinity for one (specific) or a subset (shared) of chemokines. Alternatively, the ligands may be other molecules, including molecules such as epinephrine, serotonin, or glucagon.

[0041] The described chemokines or receptors should be important for mediating various aspects of cellular, organ, tissue, or organismal physiology or development.

[0042] II. Purified Chemokines; Receptors

[0043] Nucleotide and derived amino acid sequences of a novel rodent CXC chemokine, e.g., from mouse, designated CXC N4 are shown in FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NOS:1 and 2). The gene encodes a novel protein exhibiting structure and motifs characteristic of a chemokine. Its closest reported chemokines are the mouse SDF-1, IP-10, and MIG chemokines. See, e.g., Aiuti, et al. (1997) J. Exp. Med. 185:111-120; Loetscher, et al. (1996) J. Exp. Med. 184:963-969; and Sgadari, et al. (1997) Blood 89:2635-2643.

[0044] Nucleotide and derived amino acid sequences of a novel primate GPCR, e.g., from human, designated DNAXCCR10, are shown in FIGS. 2A-2B (SEQ ID NOS:3 and 4). Sequence analysis shows closest sequence homology to a human GPCR designated GPCR W (accession number L42324) or to a canine GPCR W (accession number L42326); and to a mouse sequence (accession number AA423677). As indicated above, the receptor responds to binding with chemokine ligand MIP-3α, which immediately allows for screening for ligands since a positive control is available.

[0045] Nucleotide and derived amino acid sequences of a rodent GPCR, e.g., from mouse, DNAXCCR10, are shown in FIGS. 4A-4B (SEQ ID NOS:9 and 10). A partial mouse sequence is shown in FIG. 5 (SEQ ID NOS:5 and 6)

[0046] Nucleotide and derived amino acid sequences of a novel primate, e.g., from human, 7 transmembrane receptor family member, designated BLRX herein, are shown in FIGS. 3A-3C (SEQ ID NOS:7 and 8). Sequence analysis shows sequence homology to various GPCR family members, particularly the bovine gustative receptor. See Forster, et al. (1996) Cell 13:1037-1047.

[0047] Certain general descriptions of physical properties of polypeptides, nucleic acids, and antibodies, where directed to one embodiment clearly are usually applicable to other chemokines or receptors described herein.

[0048] These amino acid sequences, provided amino to carboxy, are important in providing sequence information on the chemokine ligand or receptor, allowing for distinguishing the protein from other proteins, particularly naturally occurring versions. Moreover, the sequences allow preparation of peptides to generate antibodies to recognize and distinguish such segments, and allow preparation of oligonucleotide probes, both of which are strategies for isolation, e.g., cloning, of genes encoding such sequences, or related sequences, e.g., natural polymorphic or other variants, including fusion proteins. Similarities of the chemokines have been observed with other cytokines. See, e.g., Bosenberg, et al. (1992) Cell 71:1157-1165; Huang, et. al. (1992) Molecular Biology of the Cell 3:349-362; and Pandiella, et al. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267:24028-24033. Likewise for the GPC receptors.

[0049] As used herein, the term “CXC N4” shall encompass, when used in a protein context, a protein having an amino acid sequence as shown in FIG. 1. Similarly, by the term “BLRx” is meant a protein with an amino acid sequence as depicted in FIGS. 3A-3C herein. Likewise, the term “DNAXCCR10” refers to a protein having the amino acid sequence depicted in FIGS. 2A-2B. Preferably, such sequences will be the native or natural sequence, e.g., a sequence corresponding to the native sequence from a mammal, such as a primate, rodent, etc. The invention also embraces a polypeptide comprising a significant fragment of such protein. The invention also encompasses a counterpart polypeptide from another mammalian species, e.g., which exhibits similar sequence, and is more homologous in the native coding sequence than other genes from the species. Typically, in the case of homologs of the reference sequence, the molecule will interact with its specific binding components, such as antibodies which bind the sequence, its receptor if the molecule is a chemokine, or the appropriate ligand, if the molecule is a receptor. These binding components, e.g., antibodies, typically bind to the chemokine with high affinity, e.g., at least about 100 nM, usually better than about 30 nM, preferably better than about 10 nM, and more preferably at better than about 3 nM. Similar concepts apply to the binding components which recognize mammalian embodiments for the GPCRs DNAXCCR10 and BLRx.

[0050] The term “polypeptide” as used herein includes a significant fragment or segment, and encompasses a stretch of amino acid residues of at least about 8 amino acids, generally at least 10 amino acids, more generally at least 12 amino acids, often at least 14 amino acids, more often at least 16 amino acids, typically at least 18 amino acids, more typically at least 20 amino acids, usually at least 22 amino acids, more usually at least 24 amino acids, preferably at least 26 amino acids, more preferably at least 28 amino acids, and, in particularly preferred embodiments, at least about 30 or more amino acids, e.g., about 35, 40, 45, 50, etc. Similar proteins will likely comprise a plurality of such segments. Such fragments may have ends which begin and/or end at virtually all positions, e.g., beginning at residues 1, 2, 3, etc., and ending at, e.g., 54, 53, 52, etc., in all combinatorial pairs in the coding segment. Typically, the plurality will be at least two, more usually at least three, and preferably 5, 7, or even more. While the length minima are provided, longer lengths, of various sizes, may be appropriate, e.g., one of length 7, and two of length 12.

[0051] Particularly interesting peptides have ends corresponding to structural domain boundaries, e.g., intracellular or extracellular loops of the receptor embodiments. Such peptides will typically be immunogenic peptides, e.g., including peptides of at least 12, 14, 16, etc., residues or may be concatenated to generate larger polypeptides. Short peptides may be attached or coupled to a larger carrier.

[0052] The term “binding composition” refers to molecules that bind with specificity to the respective chemokine or receptor, e.g., in antibody-antigen interaction, or alternatively in a ligand-receptor type fashion. These compositions may be compounds, e.g., proteins, which specifically associate with the chemokine or receptor, including natural physiologically relevant protein-protein interactions, either covalent or non-covalent. The binding composition may be a polymer, or another chemical reagent. No implication as to whether the chemokine presents a concave or convex shape in its ligand-receptor interaction is necessarily represented, other than the interaction exhibit similar specificity, e.g., specific affinity. A functional analog may be a ligand with structural modifications, or may be a wholly unrelated molecule, e.g., which has a molecular shape which interacts with the appropriate ligand binding determinants. The ligands may serve as agonists or antagonists of a physiological or natural receptor, see, e.g., Goodman, et al. (eds.) (1990) Goodman &Gilman's: The Pharmacological Bases of Therapeutics (8th ed.), Pergamon Press. The term expressly includes compounds comprising antigen binding portions of antibodies, polyclonal or monoclonal, e.g., which specifically bind to the respective antigen.

[0053] Substantially pure means that the protein is free from other contaminating proteins, nucleic acids, and/or other biologicals typically derived from the original source organism. Purity may be assayed by standard methods, and will ordinarily be at least about 40% pure, more ordinarily at least about 50% pure, generally at least about 60% pure, more generally at least about 70% pure, often at least about 75% pure, more often at least about 80% pure, typically at least about 85% pure, more typically at least about 90% pure, preferably at least about 95% pure, more preferably at least about 98% pure, and in most preferred embodiments, at least 99% pure. Analyses will typically be by weight, but may be by molar amounts.

[0054] Solubility of a polypeptide or fragment depends upon the environment and the polypeptide. Many parameters affect polypeptide solubility, including temperature, electrolyte environment, size and molecular characteristics of the polypeptide, and nature of the solvent. Typically, the temperature at which the polypeptide is used ranges from about 4° C. to about 65° C. Usually the temperature at use is greater than about 18° C. and more usually greater than about 22° C. For diagnostic purposes, the temperature will usually be about room temperature or warmer, but less than the denaturation temperature of components in the assay. For therapeutic purposes, the temperature will usually be body temperature, typically about 37° C. for humans, though under certain situations the temperature may be raised or lowered in situ or in vitro.

[0055] The electrolytes will usually approximate in situ physiological conditions, but may be modified to higher or lower ionic strength where advantageous. The actual ions may be modified, e.g., to conform to standard buffers used in physiological or analytical contexts.

[0056] The size and structure of the polypeptide should generally be in a substantially stable state, and usually not in a denatured state, though in certain circumstances denatured protein will be important. The polypeptide may be associated with other polypeptides in a quaternary structure, e.g., to confer solubility, or associated with lipids or detergents in a manner which approximates natural lipid bilayer interactions.

[0057] The solvent will usually be a biologically compatible buffer, of a type used for preservation of biological activities, and will usually approximate a physiological solvent. Usually the solvent will have a neutral pH, typically at least about 5, preferably at least 6, and typically less than 10, preferably less than 9, and more preferably about 7.5. On some occasions, a detergent will be added, typically a mild non-denaturing one, e.g., CHS (cholesteryl hemisuccinate) or CHAPS (3-([3-cholamido-propyl]dimethylammonio)-1-propane sulfonate), or a low enough concentration as to avoid significant disruption of structural or physiological properties of the protein.

[0058] Solubility is reflected by sedimentation measured in Svedberg units, which are a measure of the sedimentation velocity of a molecule under particular conditions. The determination of the sedimentation velocity was classically performed in an analytical ultracentrifuge, but is typically now performed in a standard ultracentrifuge. See, Freifelder (1982) Physical Biochemistry (2d ed.), W. H. Freeman; and Cantor and Schimmel (1980) Biophysical Chemistry, parts 1-3, W. H. Freeman & Co., San Francisco. As a crude determination, a sample containing a putatively soluble polypeptide is spun in a standard full sized ultracentrifuge at about 50 K rpm for about 10 minutes, and soluble molecules will remain in the supernatant. A soluble particle or polypeptide will typically be less than about 30 S, more typically less than about 15 S, usually less than about 10 S, more usually less than about 6 S, and, in particular embodiments, preferably less than about 4 S, and more preferably less than about 3 S.

[0059] III. Physical Variants

[0060] This invention also encompasses proteins or peptides having substantial amino acid sequence homology with the amino acid sequence of each respective chemokine or chemokine receptor. The variants include species or polymorphic variants.

[0061] Amino acid sequence homology, or sequence identity, is determined by optimizing residue matches, if necessary, by introducing gaps as required. This changes when considering conservative substitutions as matches. Conservative substitutions typically include substitutions within the following groups: glycine, alanine; valine, isoleucine, leucine; aspartic acid, glutamic acid; asparagine, glutamine; serine, threonine; lysine, arginine; and phenylalanine, tyrosine. Homologous amino acid sequences are typically intended to include natural allelic and interspecies variations in each respective protein sequence. Typical homologous proteins or peptides will have from 25-100% homology (if gaps can be introduced), to 50-100% homology (if conservative substitutions are included) with the amino acid sequence of the appropriate chemokine or receptor, or any percentage between these stated ranges. Homology measures will be at least about 35%, generally at least 40%, more generally at least 45%, often at least 50%, more often at least 55%, typically at least 60%, more typically at least 65%, usually at least 70%, more usually at least 75%, preferably at least 80%, and in particularly preferred embodiments, at least 85%, 90%, 95% or more. See also Needleham, et al. (1970) J. Mol. Biol. 48:443-453; Sankoff, et al. (1983) Chapter One in Time Warps, String Edits, and Macromolecules: The Theory and Practice of Sequence Comparison Addison-Wesley, Reading, Mass.; and software packages from IntelliGenetics, Mountain View, Calif.; and the University of Wisconsin Genetics Computer Group, Madison, Wis.

[0062] Each of the isolated chemokine or GPC receptor DNAs can be readily modified by nucleotide substitutions, nucleotide deletions, nucleotide insertions, and inversions of nucleotide stretches. These modifications may result in novel DNA sequences which encode these proteins, their derivatives, or proteins having similar physiological, immunogenic, or antigenic activity. These modified sequences can be used to produce mutant proteins or to enhance expression, or to introduce convenient enzyme recognition sites into the nucleotide sequence without significantly affecting the encoded protein sequence. Enhanced expression may involve gene amplification, increased transcription, increased translation, and other mechanisms. Enhanced expression may be useful in the context of wound healing, as described further below. Such mutant receptor derivatives include predetermined or site-specific mutations of the respective protein or its fragments. “Mutant chemokine” or “mutant chemokine receptor” encompasses a polypeptide otherwise falling within the homology definition of the chemokine or receptor as set forth above, but having an amino acid sequence which differs from that of the chemokine or receptor as found in nature, whether by way of deletion, substitution, or insertion. These include amino acid residue substitution levels from none, one, two, three, five, seven, ten, twelve, fifteen . . . 75 etc., and any number within this range. In particular, “site specific mutant” generally includes proteins having significant homology with a protein having sequences of FIGS. 1-5, and as sharing various biological activities, e.g., antigenic or immunogenic, ligand binding, with those sequences, and in preferred embodiments contain a plurality, or most, of disclosed sequences, particularly those found in various related groups of animals. As stated before, it is emphasized that descriptions are generally meant to encompass the various chemokine or receptor proteins from other members of related groups, not limited to the mouse or human embodiments specifically discussed.

[0063] Although site specific mutation sites are often predetermined, mutants need not be site specific. Chemokine or receptor mutagenesis can be conducted by making amino acid insertions or deletions, including with PCR mutagenesis. Substitutions, deletions, insertions, or combinations may be generated to arrive at a final construct. Insertions include amino- or carboxy-terminal fusions. Random mutagenesis can be conducted at a target codon and the expressed mutants can then be screened for the desired activity. Methods for making substitution mutations at predetermined sites in DNA having a known sequence are well known in the art, e.g., by M13 primer mutagenesis or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques. See also Sambrook, et al. (1989) and Ausubel, et al. (1987 and Supplements). Many structural features are known about the chemokines and GPCRs which allow determination of whether specific residues are embedded into the core of the secondary or tertiary structures, or whether the residues will have relatively little effect on protein folding. Preferred positions for mutagenesis are those which do not prevent functional folding of the resulting protein.

[0064] The mutations in the DNA normally should not place coding sequences out of reading frames and preferably will not create complementary regions that could hybridize to produce secondary mRNA structure such as loops or hairpins. But certain situations exist where such problems are compensated. See, e.g., Gesteland and Atkins (1996) Ann. Rev. Biochem. 65:741-768.

[0065] The present invention also provides recombinant proteins, e.g., heterologous fusion proteins using segments from these proteins, or antibodies. A heterologous fusion protein is a fusion of proteins or segments which are naturally not normally fused in the same manner. Thus, the fusion product of an immunoglobulin with a receptor polypeptide is a continuous protein molecule having sequences fused in a typical peptide linkage, typically made as a single translation product and exhibiting properties derived from each source peptide. A similar chimeric concept applies to heterologous nucleic acid sequences.

[0066] In addition, new constructs may be made from combining similar functional or structural domains from other proteins. For example, ligand-binding or other segments may be “swapped” between different new fusion polypeptides or fragments. See, e.g., Cunningham, et al. (1989) Science 243:1330-1336; and O'Dowd, et al. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263:15985-15992. Thus, new chimeric polypeptides exhibiting new combinations of specificities will result from the functional linkage of ligand-binding specificities and other functional domains. Such may be chimeric molecules with mixing or matching of the various structural segments, e.g., the β-sheet or α-helix structural domains for the chemokine, or receptor segments corresponding to each of the transmembrane segments (TM1-TM7), or the intracellular (cytosolic, C1-C4) or extracellular (E1-E4) loops from the various receptor types. The C3 loop is particularly important.

[0067] The phosphoramidite method described by Beaucage and Carruthers (1981) Tetra. Letts. 22:1859-1862, will produce suitable synthetic DNA fragments. A double stranded fragment will often be obtained either by synthesizing the complementary strand and annealing the strand together under appropriate conditions or by adding the complementary strand using DNA polymerase with an appropriate primer sequence, e.g., PCR techniques.

[0068] IV. Functional Variants

[0069] The blocking of physiological response to various embodiments of these chemokines or GPCRs may result from the inhibition of binding of the ligand to its receptor, likely through competitive inhibition. Thus, in vitro assays of the present invention will often use isolated protein, membranes from cells expressing a recombinant membrane associated receptor, e.g., ligand binding segments, or fragments attached to solid phase substrates. These assays will also allow for the diagnostic determination of the effects of either binding segment mutations and modifications, or ligand mutations and modifications, e.g., ligand analogs.

[0070] This invention also contemplates the use of competitive drug screening assays, e.g., where neutralizing binding compositions, e.g., antibodies, to antigen or receptor fragments compete with a test compound for binding to the protein. In this manner, the antibodies can be used to detect the presence of polypeptides which share one or more antigenic binding sites of the ligand and can also be used to occupy binding sites on the protein that might otherwise interact with a receptor.

[0071] Additionally, neutralizing antibodies against a specific chemokine embodiment and soluble fragments of the chemokine which contain a high affinity receptor binding site, can be used to inhibit chemokine activity in tissues, e.g., tissues experiencing abnormal physiology.

[0072] “Derivatives” of chemokine proteins include amino acid sequence mutants, glycosylation variants, and covalent or aggregate conjugates with other chemical moieties. Covalent derivatives can be prepared by linkage of functionalities to groups which are found in chemokine amino acid side chains or at the N- or C-termini, by means which are well known in the art. These derivatives can include, without limitation, aliphatic esters or amides of the carboxyl terminus, or of residues containing carboxyl side chains, O-acyl derivatives of hydroxyl group-containing residues, and N-acyl derivatives of the amino terminal amino acid or amino-group containing residues, e.g., lysine or arginine. Acyl groups are selected from the group of alkyl-moieties including C3 to C18 normal alkyl, thereby forming alkanoyl aroyl species. Covalent attachment to carrier proteins may be important when immunogenic moieties are haptens.

[0073] In particular, glycosylation alterations are included, e.g., made by modifying the glycosylation patterns of a polypeptide during its synthesis and processing, or in further processing steps. Particularly preferred means for accomplishing this are by exposing the polypeptide to glycosylating enzymes derived from cells which normally provide such processing, e.g., mammalian glycosylation enzymes. Deglycosylation enzymes are also contemplated. Also embraced are versions of the same primary amino acid sequence which have other minor modifications, including phosphorylated amino acid residues, e.g., phosphotyrosine, phosphoserine, or phosphothreonine, or nucleoside or nucleotide derivatives, e.g., guanyl derivatized.

[0074] A major group of derivatives are covalent conjugates of the respective chemokine or receptor or fragments thereof with other proteins or polypeptides. These derivatives can be synthesized in recombinant culture such as − or C-terminal fusions or by the use of agents known in the art for their usefulness in cross-linking proteins through reactive side groups. Preferred chemokine derivatization sites with cross-linking agents are at free amino groups, carbohydrate moieties, and cysteine residues.

[0075] Fusion polypeptides between these chemokines or receptors and other homologous or heterologous proteins, e.g., other chemokines or receptors, are also provided. Many growth factors and cytokines are homodimeric entities, and a repeat construct may have various advantages, including lessened susceptibility to proteolytic cleavage. Moreover, many cytokine receptors require dimerization to transduce a signal, and various dimeric ligands or domain repeats can be desirable. Homologous polypeptides may be fusions between different surface markers, resulting in, e.g., a hybrid protein exhibiting receptor binding specificity. Likewise, heterologous fusions may be constructed which would exhibit a combination of properties or activities of the derivative proteins. Typical examples are fusions of a reporter polypeptide, e.g., luciferase, with a segment or domain of a ligand, e.g., a receptor-binding segment, so that the presence or location of the fused ligand, or a binding composition, may be easily determined. See, e.g., Dull, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,859,609. Other gene fusion partners include bacterial β-galactosidase, trpE, Protein A, β-lactamase, alpha amylase, alcohol dehydrogenase, a FLAG fusion, and yeast alpha mating factor. See, e.g., Godowski, et al. (1988) Science 241:812-816.

[0076] The phosphoramidite method described by Beaucage and Carruthers (1981) Tetra. Letts. 22:1859-1862, will produce suitable synthetic DNA fragments. A double stranded fragment will often be obtained either by synthesizing the complementary strand and annealing the strand together under appropriate conditions or by adding the complementary strand using DNA polymerase with an appropriate primer sequence.

[0077] Such polypeptides may also have amino acid residues which have been chemically modified by phosphorylation, guanylation, sulfonation, biotinylation, or the addition or removal of other moieties, particularly those which have molecular shapes similar to phosphate or guanyl groups. In some embodiments, the modifications will be useful labeling reagents, or serve as purification targets, e.g., affinity tags as FLAG.

[0078] Fusion proteins will typically be made by either recombinant nucleic acid methods or by synthetic polypeptide methods. Techniques for nucleic acid manipulation and expression are described generally, for example, in Sambrook, et al. (1989) Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (2d ed.), Vols. 1-3, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Techniques for synthesis of polypeptides are described, for example, in Merrifield (1963) J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 85:2149-2156; Merrifield (1986) Science 232: 341-347; and Atherton, et al. (1989) Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis: A Practical Approach, IRL Press, Oxford; and chemical ligation, e.g., Dawson, et al. (1994) Science 266:776-779, a method of linking long synthetic peptides by a peptide bond.

[0079] This invention also contemplates the use of derivatives of these chemokines or receptors other than variations in amino acid sequence or glycosylation. Such derivatives may involve covalent or aggregative association with chemical moieties. These derivatives generally include: (1) salts, (2) side chain and terminal residue covalent modifications, and (3) adsorption complexes, for example with cell membranes. Such covalent or aggregative derivatives are useful as immunogens, as reagents in immunoassays, or in purification methods such as for affinity purification of ligands or other binding ligands. For example, a chemokine antigen can be immobilized by covalent bonding to a solid support such as cyanogen bromide-activated Sepharose, by methods which are well known in the art, or adsorbed onto polyolefin surfaces, with or without glutaraldehyde cross-linking, for use in the assay or purification of anti-chemokine antibodies or its receptor. These chemokines can also be labeled with a detectable group, for example radioiodinated by the chloramine T procedure, covalently bound to rare earth chelates, or conjugated to a fluorescent moiety for use in diagnostic assays. Purification of chemokine, receptor, or binding compositions may be effected by immobilized antibodies or receptor.

[0080] Other modifications may be introduced with the goal of modifying the therapeutic pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of a target chemokine. For example, certain means to minimize the size of the entity may improve its pharmacoaccessibility; other means to maximize size may affect pharmacodynamics. Similarly, changes in ligand binding kinetics or equilibrium of a receptor may be engineered.

[0081] A solubilized chemokine or receptor or appropriate fragment of this invention can be used as an immunogen for the production of antisera or antibodies specific for the ligand, receptor, or fragments thereof. The purified proteins can be used to screen monoclonal antibodies or chemokine-binding fragments prepared by immunization with various forms of impure preparations containing the protein. In particular, antibody equivalents include antigen binding fragments of natural antibodies, e.g., Fv, Fab, or F(ab)₂. Purified chemokines can also be used as a reagent to detect antibodies generated in response to the presence of elevated levels of the protein or cell fragments containing the protein, both of which may be diagnostic of an abnormal or specific physiological or disease condition. Additionally, chemokine protein fragments, or their concatenates, may also serve as immunogens to produce binding compositions, e.g., antibodies of the present invention, as described immediately below. For example, this invention contemplates antibodies raised against certain amino acid sequences, e.g., in FIGS. 1-5, or proteins containing them. In particular, this invention contemplates antibodies having binding affinity to or being raised against specific fragments, e.g., those which are predicted to lie on the outside surfaces of protein tertiary structure. Similar concepts apply to antibodies specific for receptors of the invention.

[0082] The present invention contemplates the isolation of additional closely related species variants. Southern and Northern blot analysis should establish that similar genetic entities exist in other related mammals, and establish the stringency of hybridization conditions to isolate such. It is likely that these chemokines and receptors are widespread in species variants, e.g., among the rodents and the primates.

[0083] The invention also provides means to isolate a group of related chemokines or receptors displaying both distinctness and similarities in structure, expression, and function. Elucidation of many of the physiological effects of the proteins will be greatly accelerated by the isolation and characterization of distinct species variants of the ligands. Related genes found, e.g., in various computer databases will also be useful, in many instances, for similar purposes with structurally related proteins. In particular, the present invention provides useful probes or search features for identifying additional homologous genetic entities in different species.

[0084] The isolated genes will allow transformation of cells lacking expression of a corresponding chemokine or receptor, e.g., either species types or cells which lack corresponding antigens and exhibit negative background activity. Expression of transformed genes will allow isolation of antigenically pure cell lines, with defined or single specie variants. This approach will allow for more sensitive detection and discrimination of the physiological effects of chemokine or receptor proteins. Subcellular fragments, e.g., cytoplasts or membrane fragments, can be isolated and used.

[0085] Dissection of critical structural elements which effect the various differentiation functions provided by ligands is possible using standard techniques of modern molecular biology, particularly in comparing members of the related class. See, e.g., the homolog-scanning mutagenesis technique described in Cunningham, et al. (1989) Science 243:1339-1336; and approaches used in O'Dowd, et al. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263:15985-15992; and Lechleiter, et al. (1990) EMBO J. 9:4381-4390.

[0086] In addition, various segments can be substituted between species variants to determine what structural features are important in both receptor binding affinity and specificity, as well as signal transduction. An array of different chemokine or receptor variants will be used to screen for variants exhibiting combined properties of interaction with different species variants.

[0087] Intracellular functions would probably involve segments of the receptor which are normally accessible to the cytosol. However, ligand internalization may occur under certain circumstances, and interaction between intracellular components and “extracellular” segments may occur. The specific segments of interaction of a particular chemokine with other intracellular components may be identified by mutagenesis or direct biochemical means, e.g., cross-linking or affinity methods. Structural analysis by crystallographic or other physical methods will also be applicable. Further investigation of the mechanism of signal transduction will include study of associated components which may be isolatable by affinity methods or by genetic means, e.g., complementation analysis of mutants.

[0088] Further study of the expression and control of the various chemokines or receptors will be pursued. The controlling elements associated with the proteins may exhibit differential developmental, tissue specific, or other expression patterns. Upstream or downstream genetic regions, e.g., control elements, are of interest. Differential splicing of message may lead to membrane bound forms, soluble forms, and modified versions of ligand.

[0089] Structural studies of the proteins will lead to design of new ligands or receptors, particularly analogs exhibiting agonist or antagonist properties on the receptor. This can be combined with previously described screening methods to isolate ligands exhibiting desired spectra of activities.

[0090] Expression in other cell types will often result in glycosylation differences in a particular chemokine or receptor. Various species variants may exhibit distinct functions based upon structural differences other than amino acid sequence. Differential modifications may be responsible for differential function, and elucidation of the effects are now made possible.

[0091] Thus, the present invention provides important reagents related to a physiological ligand-receptor interaction. Although the foregoing description has focused primarily upon the mouse and human embodiments of the chemokines or receptors specifically described, those of skill in the art will immediately recognize that the invention provides other counterparts, e.g., from related species, rodents or primates.

[0092] V. Antibodies

[0093] Antibodies can be raised to these chemokines or receptors, including species or polymorphic variants, and fragments thereof, both in their naturally occurring forms and in their recombinant forms. Additionally, antibodies can be raised to chemokines or receptors in either their active or inactive forms, or in their native or denatured forms. Anti-idiotypic antibodies are also contemplated.

[0094] Antibodies, including binding fragments and single chain versions, against predetermined fragments of the ligands can be raised by immunization of animals with concatemers or conjugates of the fragments with immunogenic proteins. Monoclonal antibodies are prepared from cells secreting the desired antibody. These antibodies can be screened for binding to normal or defective chemokines or receptors, or screened for agonistic or antagonistic activity. These monoclonal antibodies will usually bind with at least a K_D of about 1 mM, more usually at least about 300 μM, typically at least about 10 μM, more typically at least about 30 μM, preferably at least about 10 μM, and more preferably at least about 3 μM or better.

[0095] The antibodies, including antigen binding fragments, of this invention can have significant preparative, diagnostic, or therapeutic value. They can be useful to purify or label the desired antigen in a sample, or may be potent antagonists that bind to ligand and inhibit binding to receptor or inhibit the ability of a ligand to elicit a biological response. They also can be useful as non-neutralizing antibodies and can be coupled to, or as fusion proteins with, toxins or radionuclides so that when the antibody binds to antigen, a cell expressing it, e.g., on its surface via receptor, is killed. Further, these antibodies can be conjugated to drugs or other therapeutic agents, either directly or indirectly by means of a linker, and may effect drug targeting. Antibodies to receptors may be more easily used to block ligand binding and/or signal transduction.

[0096] The antibodies of this invention can also be useful in diagnostic or reagent purification applications. As capture or non-neutralizing antibodies, they can be screened for ability to bind to the chemokines or receptors without inhibiting ligand-receptor binding. As neutralizing antibodies, they can be useful in competitive binding assays. They will also be useful in detecting or quantifying chemokine or receptors, e.g., in immunoassays. They may be used as purification reagents in immunoaffinity columns or as immunohistochemistry reagents.

[0097] Ligand or receptor fragments may be concatenated or joined to other materials, particularly polypeptides, as fused or covalently joined polypeptides to be used as immunogens. Short peptides will preferably be made as repeat structures to increase size. A ligand and its fragments may be fused or covalently linked to a variety of immunogens, such as keyhole limpet hemocyanin, bovine serum albumin, tetanus toxoid, etc. See Microbiology, Hoeber Medical Division, Harper and Row, 1969; Landsteiner (1962) Specificity of Serological Reactions, Dover Publications, New York, and Williams, et al. (1967) Methods in Immunology and Immunochemistry, Vol. 1, Academic Press, New York, for descriptions of methods of preparing polyclonal antisera. A typical method involves hyperimmunization of an animal with an antigen. The blood of the animal is then collected shortly after the repeated immunizations and the gamma globulin fraction is isolated.

[0098] In some instances, it is desirable to prepare monoclonal antibodies from various mammalian hosts, such as mice, rodents, primates, humans, etc. Description of techniques for preparing such monoclonal antibodies may be found in, e.g., Stites, et al. (eds.) Basic and Clinical Immunology (4th ed.), Lange Medical Publications, Los Altos, Calif., and references cited therein; Harlow and Lane (1988) Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, CSH Press; Goding (1986) Monoclonal Antibodies: Principles and Practice (2d ed.) Academic Press, New York; and particularly in Kohler and Milstein (1975) in Nature 256:495-497, which discusses one method of generating monoclonal antibodies. Summarized briefly, this method involves injecting an animal with an immunogen. The animal is then sacrificed and cells taken, e.g., from its spleen, which are then fused with myeloma cells. The result is a hybrid cell or “hybridoma” that is capable of reproducing in vitro. The population of hybridomas is then screened to isolate individual clones, each of which secrete a single antibody species to the immunogen. In this manner, the individual antibody species obtained are the products of immortalized and cloned single B cells from the immune animal generated in response to a specific site recognized on the immunogenic substance. Large amounts of antibody may be derived from ascites fluid from an animal.

[0099] Other suitable techniques involve in vitro exposure of lymphocytes to the antigenic polypeptides or alternatively to selection of libraries of antibodies in phage or similar vectors. See, Huse, et al. (1989) “Generation of a Large Combinatorial Library of the Immunoglobulin Repertoire in Phage Lambda,” Science 246:1275-1281; and Ward, et al. (1989) Nature 341:544-546. The polypeptides and antibodies of the present invention may be used with or without modification, including chimeric or humanized antibodies. Frequently, the polypeptides and antibodies will be labeled by joining, either covalently or non-covalently, a substance which provides for a detectable signal. A wide variety of labels and conjugation techniques are known and are reported extensively in both the scientific and patent literature. Suitable labels include radionuclides, enzymes, substrates, cofactors, inhibitors, fluorescent moieties, chemiluminescent moieties, magnetic particles, and the like. Patents, teaching the use of such labels include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,817,837; 3,850,752; 3,939,350; 3,996,345; 4,277,437; 4,275,149; and 4,366,241. Also, recombinant immunoglobulins may be produced, see Cabilly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567; and Queen et al. (1989) Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci. 86:10029-10033.

[0100] The antibodies of this invention can also be used for affinity chromatography in isolating the protein. Columns can be prepared where the antibodies are linked to a solid support, e.g., particles, such as agarose, Sephadex, or the like, where a cell lysate may be passed through the column, the column washed, followed by increasing concentrations of a mild denaturant, whereby the purified chemokine protein will be released.

[0101] The antibodies may also be used to screen expression libraries for particular expression products. Usually the antibodies used in such a procedure will be labeled with a moiety allowing easy detection of presence of antigen by antibody binding.

[0102] Antibodies raised against these chemokines or receptors will also be useful to raise anti-idiotypic antibodies. These will be useful in detecting or diagnosing various immunological conditions related to expression of the respective antigens.

[0103] VI. Nucleic Acids

[0104] The described peptide sequences and the related reagents are useful in isolating a DNA clone encoding these chemokines or receptors, e.g., from a natural source. Typically, it will be useful in isolating a gene from another individual, and similar procedures will be applied to isolate genes from related species, e.g., rodents or primates. Cross hybridization will allow isolation of ligand from other closely related species. A number of different approaches should be available to successfully isolate a suitable nucleic acid clone. Similar concepts apply to the receptor embodiments.

[0105] The purified protein or defined peptides are useful for generating antibodies by standard methods, as described above. Synthetic peptides or purified protein can be presented to an immune system to generate monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies. See, e.g., Coligan (1991) Current Protocols in Immunology Wiley/Greene; and Harlow and Lane (1989) Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual Cold Spring Harbor Press. Alternatively, a chemokine or receptor may be used as a specific binding reagent, and advantage can be taken of its specificity of binding, much like an antibody would be used. The chemokine receptors are typically 7 transmembrane proteins, which could be sensitive to appropriate interaction with lipid or membrane. The signal transduction typically is mediated through a G-protein, through interaction with a G-protein coupled receptor.

[0106] For example, the specific binding composition could be used for screening of an expression library made from a cell line which expresses a particular chemokine. The screening can be standard staining of surface expressed ligand, or by panning. Screening of intracellular expression can also be performed by various staining or immunofluorescence procedures. The binding compositions could be used to affinity purify or sort out cells expressing the ligand.

[0107] The peptide segments can also be used to predict appropriate oligonucleotides to screen a library, e.g., to isolate species variants. The genetic code can be used to select appropriate oligonucleotides useful as probes for screening. See, e.g., FIGS. 1-5. In combination with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques, synthetic oligonucleotides will be useful in selecting correct clones from a library. Complementary sequences will also-be used as probes or primers. Anchored vector or poly-A complementary PCR techniques or complementary DNA of other peptides may be useful. Complementary nucleic acid sequences may also be used as mutagenesis primers.

[0108] This invention contemplates use of isolated DNA or fragments to encode a biologically active corresponding chemokine polypeptide. In addition, this invention covers isolated or recombinant DNA which encodes a biologically active protein or polypeptide which is capable of hybridizing under appropriate conditions with the DNA sequences described herein. Said biologically active protein or polypeptide can be an intact ligand. receptor, or fragment, and have an amino acid sequence as disclosed in FIGS. 1-5. Further, this invention covers the use of isolated or recombinant DNA, or fragments thereof, which encode proteins which are homologous to a chemokine or receptor or which was isolated using such a cDNA encoding a chemokine or receptor as a probe. The isolated DNA can have the respective regulatory sequences in the 5′ and 3′ flanks, e.g., promoters, enhancers, poly-A addition signals, and others.

[0109] An “isolated” nucleic acid is a nucleic acid, e.g., an RNA, DNA, or a mixed polymer, which is substantially separated from other components which naturally accompany a native sequence, e.g., ribosomes, polymerases, and flanking genomic sequences from the originating species. The term embraces a nucleic acid sequence which has been removed from its naturally occurring environment, and includes recombinant or cloned DNA isolates and chemically synthesized analogs or analogs biologically synthesized by heterologous systems. A substantially pure molecule includes isolated forms of the molecule.

[0110] An isolated nucleic acid will generally be a homogeneous composition of molecules, but will, in some embodiments, contain minor heterogeneity. This heterogeneity is typically found at the polymer ends or portions not critical to a desired biological function or activity.

[0111] A “recombinant” nucleic acid is defined either by its method of production or its structure. In reference to its method of production, e.g., a product made by a process, the process is use of recombinant nucleic acid techniques, e.g., involving human intervention in the nucleotide sequence, typically selection or production. Alternatively, it can be a nucleic acid made by generating a sequence comprising fusion of two fragments which are not naturally contiguous to each other, but is meant to exclude products of nature, e.g., naturally occurring purified forms. Thus, for example, products made by transforming cells with any unnaturally occurring vector is encompassed, as are nucleic acids comprising sequence derived using a synthetic oligonucleotide process. Such is often done to replace a codon with a redundant codon encoding the same or a conservative amino acid, while typically introducing or removing a sequence recognition site. Alternatively, it is performed to join together nucleic acid segments of desired functions to generate a single genetic entity comprising a desired combination of functions not found in the commonly available natural forms. Restriction enzyme recognition sites are often the target of such artificial manipulations, but other site specific targets, e.g., promoters, DNA replication sites, regulation sequences, control sequences, or other useful features may be incorporated by design. A similar concept is intended for a recombinant, e.g., fusion, polypeptide. Specifically included are synthetic nucleic acids which, by genetic code redundancy, encode polypeptides similar to fragments of these antigens, and fusions of sequences from various different species variants.

[0112] A significant “fragment” in a nucleic acid context is a contiguous segment of at least about 17 nucleotides, generally at least about 20 nucleotides, more generally at least about 23 nucleotides, ordinarily at least about 26 nucleotides, more ordinarily at least about 29 nucleotides, often at least about 32 nucleotides, more often at least about 35 nucleotides, typically at least about 38 nucleotides, more typically at least about 41 nucleotides, usually at least about 44 nucleotides, more usually at least about 47 nucleotides, preferably at least about 50 nucleotides, more preferably at least about 53 nucleotides, and in particularly preferred embodiments will be at least about 56 or more nucleotides, e.g., 60, 65, 75, 85, 100, 120, 150, 200, 250, 300, 400, etc. Such fragments may have ends which begin and/or end at virtually all positions, e.g., beginning at nucleotides 1, 2, 3, etc., and ending at, e.g., 300, 299, 298, 287, etc., in combinatorial pairs. Particularly interesting polynucleotides have ends corresponding to structural domain boundaries.

[0113] A DNA which codes for a particular chemokine or receptor protein or peptide will be very useful to identify genes, mRNA, and cDNA species which code for related or homologous ligands or receptors, as well as DNAs which code for homologous proteins from different species. There are likely homologs in closely related species, e.g., rodents or primates. Various chemokine proteins should be homologous and are encompassed herein, as would be receptors. However, proteins can readily be isolated under appropriate conditions using these sequences if they are sufficiently homologous. Typically, primate chemokines or receptors are of particular interest.

[0114] This invention further covers recombinant DNA molecules and fragments having a DNA sequence identical to or highly homologous to the isolated DNAs set forth herein. In particular, the sequences will often be operably linked to DNA segments which control transcription, translation, and DNA replication. Alternatively, recombinant clones derived from the genomic sequences, e.g., containing introns, will be useful for transgenic studies, including, e.g., transgenic cells and organisms, and for gene therapy. See, e.g., Goodnow (1992) “Transgenic Animals” in Roitt (ed.) Encyclopedia of Immunology Academic Press, San Diego, pp. 1502-1504; Travis (1992) Science 256:1392-1394; Kuhn, et al. (1991) Science 254:707-710; Capecchi (1989) Science 244:1288; Robertson (1987) (ed.) Teratocarcinomas and Embryonic Stem Cells: A Practical Approach IRL Press, Oxford; and Rosenberg (1992) J. Clinical Oncology 10:180-199.

[0115] Homologous nucleic acid sequences, when compared, exhibit significant similarity, or identity. The standards for homology in nucleic acids are either measures for homology generally used in the art by sequence comparison or based upon hybridization conditions. The hybridization conditions are described in greater detail below.

[0116] Substantial homology in the nucleic acid sequence comparison context means either that the segments, or their complementary strands, when compared, are identical when optimally aligned, with appropriate nucleotide insertions or deletions, in at least about 50% of the nucleotides, generally at least about 56%, more generally at least about 59%, ordinarily at least about 62%, more ordinarily at least about 65%, often at least about 68%, more often at least about 71%, typically at least about 74%, more typically at least about 77%, usually at least about 80%, more usually at least about 85%, preferably at least about 90%, more preferably at least about 95 to 98% or more, and in particular embodiments, as high at about 99% or more of the nucleotides. Alternatively, substantial homology exists when the segments will hybridize under selective hybridization conditions, to a strand, or its complement, typically using a sequence derived from FIGS. 1-5. Typically, selective hybridization will occur when there is at least about 55% homology over a stretch of at least about 30 nucleotides, preferably at least about 65% over a stretch of at least about 25 nucleotides, more preferably at least about 75%, and most preferably at least about 90% over about 20 nucleotides. See, Kanehisa (1984) Nuc. Acids Res. 12:203-213. The length of homology comparison, as described, may be over longer stretches, and in certain embodiments will be over a stretch of at least about 17 nucleotides, usually at least about 20 nucleotides, more usually at least about 24 nucleotides, typically at least about 28 nucleotides, more typically at least about 40 nucleotides, preferably at least about 50 nucleotides, and more preferably at least about 75 to 100 or more nucleotides. PCR primers will generally have high levels of matches over potentially shorter lengths.

[0117] For sequence comparison, typically one sequence acts as a reference sequence, to which test sequences are compared. When using a sequence comparison algorithm, test and reference sequences are input into a computer, subsequence coordinates are designated, if necessary, and sequence algorithm program parameters are designated. The sequence comparison algorithm then calculates the percent sequence identity for the test sequence(s) relative to the reference sequence, based on the designated program parameters.

[0118] Optical alignment of sequences for comparison can be conducted, e.g., by the local homology algorithm of Smith and Waterman (1981) Adv. Appl. Math. 2:482, by the homology alignment algorithm of Needlman and Wunsch (1970) J. Mol. Biol. 48:443, by the search for similarity method of Pearson and Lipman (1988) Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 85:2444, by computerized implementations of these algorithms (GAP, BESTFIT, FASTA, and TFASTA in the Wisconsin Genetics Software Package, Genetics Computer Group, 575 Science Dr., Madison, Wis.), or by visual inspection (see generally Ausubel et al., supra).

[0119] One example of a useful algorithm is PILEUP. PILEUP creates a multiple sequence alignment from a group of related sequences using progressive, pairwise alignments to show relationship and percent sequence identity. It also plots a tree or dendogram showing the clustering relationships used to create the alignment. PILEUP uses a simplification of the progressive alignment method of Feng and Doolittle (1987) J. Mol. Evol. 35:351-360. The method used is similar to the method described by Higgins and Sharp (1989) CABIOS 5:151-153. The program can align up to 300 sequences, each of a maximum length of 5,000 nucleotides or amino acids. The multiple alignment procedure begins with the pairwise alignment of the two most similar sequences, producing a cluster of two aligned sequences. This cluster is then aligned to the next most related sequence or cluster of aligned sequences. Two clusters of sequences are aligned by a simple extension of the pairwise alignment of two individual sequences. The final alignment is achieved by a series of progressive, pairwise alignments. The program is run by designating specific sequences and their amino acid or nucleotide coordinates for regions of sequence comparison and by designating the program parameters. For example, a reference sequence can be compared to other test sequences to determine the percent sequence identity relationship using the following parameters: default gap weight (3.00), default gap length weight (0.10), and weighted end gaps.

[0120] Another example of algorithm that is suitable for determining percent sequence identity and sequence similarity is the BLAST algorithm, which is described Altschul, et al. (1990) J. Mol. Biol. 215:403-410. Software for performing BLAST analyses is publicly available through the National Center for Biotechnology Information (http:www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/). This algorithm involves first identifying high scoring sequence pairs (HSPs) by identifying short words of length W in the query sequence, which either match or satisfy some positive-valued threshold score T when aligned with a word of the same length in a database sequence. T is referred to as the neighborhood word score threshold (Altschul, et al., supra). These initial neighborhood word hits act as seeds for initiating searches to find longer HSPs containing them. The word hits are then extended in both directions along each sequence for as far as the cumulative alignment score can be increased. Extension of the word hits in each direction are halted when: the cumulative alignment score falls off by the quantity X from its maximum achieved value; the cumulative score goes to zero or below, due to the accumulation of one or more negative-scoring residue alignments; or the end of either sequence is reached. The BLAST algorithm parameters W, T, and X determine the sensitivity and speed of the alignment. The BLAST program uses as defaults a wordlength (W) of 11, the BLOSUM62 scoring matrix (see Henikoff and Henikoff (1989) Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 89:10915) alignments (B) of 50, expectation (E) of 10, M=5, N=4, and a comparison of both strands.

[0121] In addition to calculating percent sequence identity, the BLAST algorithm also performs a statistical analysis of the similarity between two sequences (see, e.g., Karlin and Altschul (1993) Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 90:5873-5787). One measure of similarity provided by the BLAST algorithm is the smallest sum probability (P(N)), which provides an indication of the probability by which a match between two nucleotide or amino acid sequences would occur by chance. For example., a nucleic acid is considered similar to a reference sequence if the smallest sum probability in a comparison of the test nucleic acid to the reference nucleic acid is less than about 0.1, more preferably less than about 0.01, and most preferably less than about 0.001.

[0122] A further indication that two nucleic acid sequences of polypeptides are substantially identical is that the polypeptide encoded by the first nucleic acid is immunologically cross reactive with the polypeptide encoded by the second nucleic acid, as described below. Thus, a polypeptide is typically substantially identical to a second polypeptide, for example, where the two peptides differ only by conservative substitutions. Another indication that two nucleic acid sequences are substantially identical is that the two molecules hybridize to each other under stringent conditions, as described below.

[0123] Stringent conditions, in referring to homology in the hybridization context, will be stringent combined conditions of salt, temperature, organic solvents, and other parameters, typically those controlled in hybridization reactions. Stringent temperature conditions will usually include temperatures in excess of about 30° C., more usually in excess of about 37° C., typically in excess of about 45° C., more typically in excess of about 55° C., preferably in excess of about 65° C., and more preferably in excess of about 70° C. Stringent salt conditions will ordinarily be less than about 1000 mM, usually less than about 500 mM, more usually less than about 400 mM, typically less than about 300 mM, preferably less than about 200 mM, and more preferably less than about 150 mM, e.g., 20-50 mM. However, the combination of parameters is much more important than the measure of any single parameter. See, e.g., Wetmur and Davidson (1968). J. Mol. Biol. 31:349-370. Hybridization under stringent conditions should give a background of at least 2-fold over background, preferably at least 3-5 or more.

[0124] Corresponding chemokines or receptors from other closely related species can be cloned and isolated by cross-species hybridization. Alternatively, sequences from a sequence data base may be recognized as having similarity. Homology may be very low between distantly related species, and thus hybridization of relatively closely related species is advisable. Alternatively, preparation of an antibody preparation which exhibits less species specificity may be useful in expression cloning approaches. PCR approaches using segments of conserved sequences will also be used.

[0125] VII. Making Chemokines or Receptors; Mimetics

[0126] DNA which encodes each respective chemokine, receptor, or fragments thereof can be obtained by chemical synthesis, screening cDNA libraries, or by screening genomic libraries prepared from a wide variety of cell lines or tissue samples. A “coding sequence” or a sequence which “encodes” a particular protein, is a nucleic acid sequence which is transcribed (in the case of DNA) and translated (in the case of mRNA) into a polypeptide in vitro or in vivo when placed under the control of appropriate regulatory sequences. The boundaries of the coding sequence are determined by a start codon at the 5′ (amino) terminus and a translation stop codon at the 3′ (carboxy) terminus. A transcription termination sequence will usually be located 3′ to the coding sequence.

[0127] This DNA can be expressed in a wide variety of host cells for the synthesis of a full-length ligand or fragments which can in turn, for example, be used to generate polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies; for binding studies; for construction and expression of modified molecules; for expression cloning or purification; and for structure/function studies. Each protein or its fragments can be expressed in host cells that are transformed with appropriate expression vectors. These molecules can be substantially purified to be free of protein or cellular contaminants, other than those derived from the recombinant host, and therefore are particularly useful in pharmaceutical compositions when combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or diluent. The antigens or antibodies, or portions thereof, may be expressed as fusions with other proteins.

[0128] Expression vectors are typically self-replicating DNA or RNA constructs containing the desired protein gene or its fragments, usually operably linked to suitable genetic control elements that are recognized in a suitable host cell. These control elements are capable of effecting expression within a suitable host. The specific type of control elements necessary to effect expression will depend upon the eventual host cell used. Generally, the genetic control elements can include a prokaryotic promoter system or a eukaryotic promoter expression control system, and typically include a transcriptional promoter, an optional operator to control the onset of transcription, transcription enhancers to elevate the level of mRNA expression, a sequence that encodes a suitable ribosome binding site, and sequences that terminate transcription and translation. Thus, the term “control sequences” or “control elements” refers collectively to promoter sequences, polyadenylation signals, transcription termination sequences, upstream regulatory domains, origins of replication, internal ribosome entry sites (“IRES”), enhancers, and the like, which collectively provide for the replication, transcription and translation of a coding sequence in a recipient cell. Not all of these control sequences need always be present so long as the selected coding sequence is capable of being replicated, transcribed and translated in an appropriate host cell. Expression vectors also usually contain an origin of replication that allows the vector to replicate independently of the host cell.

[0129] The vectors of this invention contain DNA which encode embodiments of a chemokine, receptor, or a fragment thereof, typically encoding a biologically active polypeptide. The DNA can be under the control of a promoter, such as a mammalian or viral promoter and can encode a selection marker. This invention further contemplates use of such expression vectors which are capable of expressing eukaryotic cDNA coding for each chemokine or receptor in a prokaryotic or eukaryotic host, where the vector is compatible with the host and where the eukaryotic cDNA coding for the protein is inserted into the vector such that growth of the host containing the vector expresses the cDNA in question. Usually, expression vectors are designed for stable replication in their host cells or for amplification to greatly increase the total number of copies of the desirable gene per cell. It is not always necessary to require that an expression vector replicate in a host cell, e.g., it is possible to effect transient expression of the ligand or its fragments in various hosts using vectors that do not contain a replication origin that is recognized by the host cell. It is also possible to use vectors that cause integration of a chemokine or receptor gene or its fragments into the host DNA by recombination, or to integrate a promoter which controls expression of an endogenous gene. Thus, as used herein, a cell has been “transformed” by exogenous DNA when such exogenous DNA has been introduced inside the cell membrane. Exogenous DNA may or may not be integrated (covalently linked) into chromosomal DNA making up the genome of the cell. A stably transformed cell is one in which the exogenous DNA has become integrated into the chromosome so that it is inherited by daughter cells through chromosome replication. This stability is demonstrated by the ability of the eucaryotic cell to establish cell lines or clones comprised of a population of daughter cells containing the exogenous DNA.

[0130] Vectors, as used herein, comprise plasmids, viruses, bacteriophage, integratable DNA fragments, and other vehicles, including those which enable the integration of DNA fragments into the genome of the host. Expression vectors are specialized vectors which contain genetic control elements that effect expression of operably linked genes. Plasmids are the most commonly used form of vector but many other forms of vectors which serve an equivalent function and which are, or become, known in the art are suitable for use herein. See, e.g., Pouwels, et al. (1985 and Supplements) Cloning Vectors: A Laboratory Manual, Elsevier, N.Y., and Rodriquez, et al. (1988)(eds.) Vectors: A Survey of Molecular Cloning Vectors and Their Uses, Buttersworth, Boston, Mass.

[0131] Transformed cells include cells, preferably mammalian, that have been transformed with a chemokine or receptor gene containing vector constructed using recombinant DNA techniques. Transformed host cells usually express the ligand, receptor, or its fragments, but for purposes of cloning, amplifying, and manipulating its DNA, do not need to express the protein. This invention further contemplates culturing transformed cells in a nutrient medium, thus permitting the protein to accumulate in the culture. The protein can be recovered, from the culture or from the culture medium, or from cell membranes.

[0132] For purposes of this invention, DNA sequences are operably linked when they are functionally related to each other. For example, DNA for a presequence or secretory signal is operably linked to a polypeptide if it is expressed as a preprotein or participates in directing the polypeptide to the cell membrane or in secretion of the polypeptide. A promoter is operably linked to a coding sequence if it controls the transcription of the polypeptide; a ribosome binding site is operably linked to a coding sequence if it is positioned to permit translation. Usually, operably linked means contiguous and in reading frame, however, certain genetic elements such as repressor genes are not contiguously linked but still bind to operator sequences that in turn control expression.

[0133] Suitable host cells include prokaryotes, lower eukaryotes, and higher eukaryotes. Prokaryotes include both gram negative and gram positive organisms, e.g., E. coli and B. subtilis. Lower eukaryotes include yeasts, e.g., S. cerevisiae and Pichia, and species of the genus Dictyostelium. Higher eukaryotes include established tissue culture cell lines from animal cells, both of non-mammalian origin, e.g., insect cells, and birds, and of mammalian origin, e.g., human, primates, and rodents.

[0134] Prokaryotic host-vector systems include a wide variety of vectors for many different species. As used herein, E. coli and its vectors will be used generically to include equivalent vectors used in other prokaryotes. A representative vector for amplifying DNA is pBR322 or many of its derivatives. Vectors that can be used to express these chemokines or their fragments include, but are not limited to, such vectors as those containing the lac promoter (pUC-series); trp promoter (pBR322-trp); Ipp promoter (the pIN-series); lambda-pP or pR promoters (pOTS); or hybrid promoters such as ptac (pDR540). See Brosius, et al. (1988) “Expression Vectors Employing Lambda-, trp-, lac-, and Ipp-derived Promoters”, in Rodriguez and Denhardt (eds.) Vectors: A Survey of Molecular Cloning Vectors and Their Uses, Buttersworth, Boston, Chapter 10, pp. 205-236.

[0135] Lower eukaryotes, e.g., yeasts and Dictyostelium, may be transformed with chemokine or receptor sequence containing nucleic acids. For purposes of this invention, the most common lower eukaryotic host is the baker's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It will be used to generically represent lower eukaryotes although a number of other strains and species are also available. Yeast vectors typically consist of a replication origin (unless of the integrating type), a selection gene, a promoter, DNA encoding the desired protein or its fragments, and sequences for translation termination, polyadenylation, and transcription termination. Suitable expression vectors for yeast include such constitutive promoters as 3-phosphoglycerate kinase and various other glycolytic enzyme gene promoters or such inducible promoters as the alcohol dehydrogenase 2 promoter or metallothionine promoter. Suitable vectors include derivatives of the following types: self-replicating low copy number (such as the YRp-series), self-replicating high copy number (such as the YEp-series); integrating types (such as the YIp-series), or mini-chromosomes (such as the YCp-series).

[0136] Higher eukaryotic tissue culture cells are the preferred host cells for expression of the functionally active chemokine or receptor proteins. In principle, most any higher eukaryotic tissue culture cell line is workable, e.g., insect baculovirus expression systems, whether from an invertebrate or vertebrate source. However, mammalian cells are preferred, in that the processing, both cotranslationally and posttranslationally, will be typically most like natural. Transformation or transfection and propagation of such cells has become a routine procedure. Examples of useful cell lines include HeLa cells, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines, baby rat kidney (BRK) cell lines, insect cell lines, bird cell lines, and monkey (COS) cell lines. Expression vectors for such cell lines usually include an origin of replication, a promoter, a translation initiation site, RNA splice sites (if genomic DNA is used), a polyadenylation site, and a transcription termination site. These vectors also usually contain a selection gene or amplification gene. Suitable expression vectors may be plasmids, viruses, or retroviruses carrying promoters derived, e.g., from such sources as from adenovirus, SV40, parvoviruses, vaccinia virus, or cytomegalovirus. Representative examples of suitable expression vectors include pcDNA1; pCD, see Okayama, et al. (1985) Mol. Cell Biol. 5:1136-1142; pMClneo Poly-A, see Thomas, et al. (1987) Cell 51:503-512; and a baculovirus vector such as pAC 373 or pAC 610.

[0137] It will often be desired to express a chemokine or receptor polypeptide in a system which provides a specific or defined glycosylation pattern. In this case, the usual pattern will be that provided naturally by the expression system. However, the pattern will be modifiable by exposing the polypeptide, e.g., an unglycosylated form, to appropriate glycosylating proteins introduced into a heterologous expression system. For example, a chemokine or receptor gene may be co-transformed with one or more genes encoding mammalian or other glycosylating enzymes. Using this approach, certain mammalian glycosylation patterns will be achievable or approximated in prokaryote or other cells.

[0138] A chemokine, receptor, or a fragment thereof, may be engineered to be phosphatidyl inositol (PI) linked to a cell membrane, but can be removed from membranes by treatment with a phosphatidyl inositol cleaving enzyme, e.g., phosphatidyl inositol phospholipase-C. This releases the antigen in a biologically active form, and allows purification by standard procedures of protein chemistry. See, e.g., Low (1989) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 988:427-454; Tse, et al. (1985) Science 230:1003-1008; and Brunner, et al. (1991) J. Cell Biol. 114:1275-1283.

[0139] Now that these chemokines and receptors have been characterized, fragments or derivatives thereof can be prepared by conventional processes for synthesizing peptides. These include processes such as are described in Stewart and Young (1984) Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis, Pierce Chemical Co., Rockford, Ill.; Bodanszky and Bodanszky (1984) The Practice of Peptide Synthesis, Springer-Verlag, New York; and Bodanszky (1984) The Principles of Peptide Synthesis, Springer-Verlag, New York. For example, an azide process, an acid chloride process, an acid anhydride process, a mixed anhydride process, an active ester process (for example, p-nitrophenyl ester, N-hydroxysuccinimide ester, or cyanomethyl ester), a carbodiimidazole process, an oxidative-reductive process, or a dicyclohexyl-carbodiimide (DCCD)/additive process can be used. Solid phase and solution phase syntheses are both applicable to the foregoing processes.

[0140] These chemokines, receptors, fragments, or derivatives are suitably prepared in accordance with the above processes as typically employed in peptide synthesis, generally either by a so-called stepwise process which comprises condensing an amino acid to the terminal amino acid, one by one in sequence, or by coupling peptide fragments to the terminal amino acid. Amino groups that are not being used in the coupling reaction are typically protected to prevent coupling at an incorrect location.

[0141] If a solid phase synthesis is adopted, the C-terminal amino acid is typically bound to an insoluble carrier or support through its carboxyl group. The insoluble carrier is not particularly limited as long as it has a binding capability to a reactive carboxyl group. Examples of such insoluble carriers include halomethyl resins, such as chloromethyl resin or bromomethyl resin, hydroxymethyl resins, phenol resins, tert-alkyloxycarbonyl-hydrazidated resins, and the like.

[0142] An amino group-protected amino acid is bound in sequence through condensation of its activated carboxyl group and the reactive amino group of the previously formed peptide or chain, to synthesize the peptide step by step. After synthesizing the complete sequence, the peptide is split off from the insoluble carrier to produce the peptide. This solid-phase approach is generally described, e.g., by Merrifield, et al. (1963) in J. Am. Chem. Soc. 85:2149-2156.

[0143] The prepared ligand and fragments thereof can be isolated and purified from the reaction mixture by means of peptide separation, e.g., by extraction, precipitation, electrophoresis, and various forms of chromatography, and the like. The various chemokines or receptors of this invention can be obtained in varying degrees of purity depending upon its desired use. Purification can be accomplished by use of the protein purification techniques disclosed herein or by the use of the antibodies herein described, e.g., in immunoabsorbant affinity chromatography. This immunoabsorbant affinity chromatography is typically carried out, e.g., by first linking the antibodies to a solid support and then contacting the linked antibodies with solubilized lysates of appropriate source cells, lysates of other cells expressing the ligand or receptor, or lysates or supernatants of cells producing the desired proteins as a result of DNA techniques, see below.

[0144] VIII. Uses

[0145] The present invention provides reagents which will find use in diagnostic applications as described elsewhere herein, e.g., in the general description for developmental abnormalities, or below in the description of kits for diagnosis.

[0146] This invention also provides reagents with significant therapeutic potential. These chemokines and receptors (naturally occurring or recombinant), fragments thereof, and binding compositions, e.g., antibodies thereto, along with compounds identified as having binding affinity to them, should be useful in the treatment of conditions associated with abnormal physiology or development, including inflammatory conditions, e.g., asthma, and epithelial conditions, for example, improper wound healing. In particular, modulation of trafficking of leukocytes is one likely biological activity, but a wider tissue distribution might suggest broader biological activity, including, e.g., antiviral effects. Abnormal proliferation, regeneration, degeneration, and atrophy may be modulated by appropriate therapeutic treatment using the compositions provided herein. For example, a disease or disorder associated with abnormal expression or abnormal signaling by a chemokine or ligand for a receptor should be a likely target for an agonist or antagonist of the ligand.

[0147] Various abnormal physiological or developmental conditions are known in cell types shown to possess the chemokine or receptor mRNAs by Northern blot analysis. See Berkow (ed.) The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, Merck & Co., Rahway, N.J.; and Thorn, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, McGraw-Hill, N.Y. Developmental or functional abnormalities, e.g., of the immune system, cause significant medical abnormalities and conditions which may be susceptible to prevention or treatment using compositions provided herein.

[0148] Antibodies to the chemokines or receptors, including recombinant forms, can be purified and then used diagnostically or therapeutically, alone or in combination with other chemokines, cytokines, or antagonists thereof. These reagents can be combined for therapeutic use with additional active or inert ingredients, e.g., in conventional pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or diluents, e.g., immunogenic adjuvants, along with physiologically innocuous stabilizers and excipients. These combinations can be sterile filtered and placed into dosage forms as by lyophilization in dosage vials or storage in stabilized aqueous preparations. This invention also contemplates use of antibodies or binding fragments thereof, including forms which are not complement binding. Moreover, modifications to the antibody molecules or antigen binding fragments thereof, may be adopted which affect the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of the therapeutic entity.

[0149] Drug screening using antibodies or receptor or fragments thereof can be performed to identify compounds having binding affinity to each chemokine or receptor, including isolation of associated components. Subsequent biological assays can then be utilized to determine if the compound has intrinsic stimulating activity and is therefore a blocker or antagonist in that it blocks the activity of the ligand. Likewise, a compound having intrinsic stimulating activity can activate the receptor and is thus an agonist in that it simulates the activity of a ligand. This invention further contemplates the therapeutic use of antibodies to these chemokines as antagonists, or to the receptors as antagonists or agonists. This approach should be particularly useful with other chemokine or receptor species variants.

[0150] Moreover, the novel chemokines and receptors described herein can be used to effect wound healing, as well as to treat a wide variety of disorders associated with proliferative responses. For example, tissue fibrosis is the formation of excessive amounts of fibrotic or scar tissue. Major organs such as the heart, kidney, liver, eye, and skin are prone to chronic scarring. Hypertrophic scars (nonmalignant tissue bulk) are a common form of fibrosis caused by burns and other trauma. In addition, there are a number of other fibroproliferative disorders, including scleroderma, keloids, and atherosclerosis, which are associated with general tissue scarring, tumor-like growths in the skin, or sustained scarring of blood vessels. Fibrosis can follow surgery in the form of adhesions, keloid tumors or hypertrophic scarring. Fibrosis causes contractures and joint dislocation following severe burns, wounds or orthopaedic injuries; it can occur in any organ and accompanies many disease states, such as hepatitis (liver cirrhosis), hypertension (heart failure), tuberculosis (pulmonary fibrosis) and diabetes (nephropathy).

[0151] Fibrosis, despite the cause, activates a proliferative response related to the events that occur in the healing of skin wounds. Specifically, acute physical damage causes the death of cells, the clotting of blood, an inflammatory response characterized by the migration of inflammatory cells into the lesion, the proliferation of fibroblastic cells in the lesion and the production and deposition of collagen fibers and scars.

[0152] As demonstrated herein, BLRx, a representative chemokine receptor, is expressed by fibroblasts, melanocytes and keratinocytes and is involved in wound healing. In particular, enhanced expression of BLRx is associated with the onset of the wound healing process. Thus, the compositions and methods described herein may be used for treating wounds, such as burns and lesions, as well as for treating or preventing any of the various forms of fibrosis described above as the processes involved in fibrosis are the same as those involved in wound healing. Moreover, the compositions and methods may be used in the treatment of hyperproliferative diseases of the epidermis, such as psoriasis and basal cell carcinoma. The methods and compositions are also useful for stimulation of transplanted corneal tissue.

[0153] For example, the compositions and methods described herein can be used to enhance wound healing, block the fibrotic process and/or control hyperproliferative disorders using agents that modulate (i.e., either inhibit or enhance) endogenous BLRx production. In treating these disorders, an increase in the concentration of endogenous BLRx may be desired, such as in the case of wound healing. Thus, one method of treatment includes administering a composition-that enhances BLRX activity, for example, the ability of BLRx to bind to its ligand, or a composition that enhances endogenous BLRX expression. For example, target cells can be-transformed with DNA constructs that either encode BLRx or that include transcriptional and/or translational regulatory elements that enhance expression of endogenous BLRx. The exogenous polynucleotides need not code for exact copies of the endogenous BLRx proteins. Modified protein chains can also be readily designed utilizing various recombinant DNA techniques well known to those skilled in the art and described for instance, in Sambrook et al., (1989) Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (2d ed.), Vols. 1-3, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. For example, hydroxylamine can also be used to introduce single base mutations into the coding region of the gene (Sikorski et al. (1991) Meth. Enzymol. 194: 302-318). Additionally, an agonist, i.e., a molecule that increases or prolongs the duration of the effect of BLRx, can be administered. Agonists may include proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, or any other molecules that bind to and modulate the effects of the target molecule.

[0154] Conversely, a decrease in the concentration or expression of endogenous BLRx may be desired, such as when treating a BLRx-associated proliferative disorder, for example fibrotic or sclerotic disease such as liver sclerosis, lung fibrosis and local/systemic sclerosis, cancer, angiogenesis, and atherosclerosis. In this context, one method of treatment includes the administration of a composition that decreases BLRx activity, or causes a decreased production of endogenous BLRx. Thus, an antagonist, i.e., a molecule which, when bound to BLRx, decreases the extent or duration of the effect of the biological activity, can be administered. Antagonists may include proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, antibodies, or any other molecules which decrease the effect of the target molecule. Thus, one method of treatment includes transforming a target cell with a polynucleotide that includes transcriptional and/or translational regulatory elements that decrease or suppress expression of endogenous BLRx. Another method of treatment includes administering a composition that interferes with the binding of BLRx to its ligand, such as by competitively binding to BLRX or by otherwise decreasing the ability of BLRx to bind to or process its ligand, or by effecting the ability of BLRx to participate in downstream signaling. Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, methods for treatment of a proliferative disorder involve the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody which specifically reacts with BLRX. Such antibodies are described in detail above.

[0155] In another embodiment, a method of the present invention involves the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of an antisense oligonucleotide having a sequence capable of binding specifically with any sequences of genomic DNA or an mRNA molecule which encodes BLRx, so as to prevent transcripton or translation of BLRX mRNA. By “antisense” is meant a composition containing a nucleic acid sequence which is complementary to the “sense” strand of a specific nucleic acid sequence. Once introduced into a cell, the complementary nucleotides combine with endogenous sequences produced by the cell to form duplexes and to block either transcription or translation. See, e.g., Agrawal, S., ed. (1996) Antisense Therapeutics, Humana Press Inc., Totawa N.J.; Alama et al. (1997) Pharmacol. Res. 36:171-178; Crooke, S. T. (1997) Adv. Pharmacol. 40:1-49; and Lavrosky et al. (1997) Biochem. Mol. Med. 62(1):11-22. Antisense sequences can be any nucleic acid material, including DNA, RNA, or any nucleic acid mimics or analogs. See, e.g., Rossi et al. (1991) Antisense Res. Dev. 1:285-288; Pardridge et al. (1995) Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 92:5592-5596; Nielsen and Haaima (1997) Chem. Soc. Rev. 96:73-78; and Lee et al. (1998) Biochemistry 37:900-1010. Delivery of antisense sequences can be accomplished in a variety of ways, such as through intracellular delivery using a recombinant vector.

[0156] Antisense oligonucleotides of about 15 to 25 nucleic acid bases are typically preferred as such are easily synthesized and are capable of producing the desired inhibitory effect. Molecular analogs of antisense oligonucleotides may also be used for this purpose and can have added advantages such as stability, distribution, or limited toxicity advantageous in a pharmaceutical product. In addition, chemically reactive groups, such as iron-linked ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTA-Fe), can be attached to antisense oligonucleotides, causing cleavage of the RNA at the site of hybridization. These and other uses of antisense methods to inhibit the in vitro translation of genes are well known in the art. See, e.g., Marcus-Sakura (1988) Anal. Biochem. 172:289.

[0157] The delivery of polynucleotides, e.g., for delivering BLRX genes or antisense oligonucleotides, can be achieved using recombinant expression vectors, with or without carrier viruses or particles. Such methods are well known in the art. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,214,804; 6,147,055; 5,703,055; 5,589,466; 5,580,859; Slater et al. (1998) J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 102:469-475. For example, delivery of polynucleotide sequences can be achieved using various viral vectors, including retrovirus and adeno-associated virus vectors. See, e.g., Miller A. D. (1990) Blood 76:271; and Uckert and Walther (1994) Pharmacol. Ther. 63:323-347. Vectors which can be utilized for antisense gene therapy include, but are not limited to, adenoviruses, herpes viruses, vaccinia, or, preferably, RNA viruses such as retroviruses. Other gene delivery mechanisms that can be used for delivery of polynucleotide sequences to target cells include colloidal dispersion and liposome-derived systems, artificial viral envelopes, and other systems available to one of skill in the art. See, e.g., Rossi, J. J. (1995) Br. Med. Bull. 51:217-225; Morris et al. (1997) Nucl. Acids Res. 25:2730-2736; and Boado et al. (1998) J. Pharm. Sci. 87:1308-1315. For example, delivery systems can make use of macromolecule complexes, nanocapsules, microspheres, beads, and lipid-based systems including oil-in-water emulsions, micelles, mixed micelles, and liposomes.

[0158] Site-specific delivery of exogenous genes is also contemplated, such as techniques in which cells are first transfected in culture and stable transfectants are subsequently delivered to the target site. Moreover, delivery can be to the region of the target cell or tissue, i.e., in an area proximal to the tissue to be treated, for example, to the region of the wound.

[0159] The quantities of reagents necessary for the various therapies described above will depend upon many different factors, including means of administration, target site, physiological state of the patient, and other medicants administered. Thus, treatment dosages should be titrated to optimize safety and efficacy in various populations, including racial subgroups, age, gender, etc. Typically, dosages used in vitro may provide useful guidance in the amounts useful for in situ administration of these reagents. Animal testing of effective doses for treatment of particular disorders will provide further predictive indication of human dosage. Various considerations are described, e.g., in Gilman, et al. (eds.) (1990) Goodman and Gilman's: The Pharmacological Bases of Therapeutics, 8th Ed., Pergamon Press; and Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 17th ed. (1990), Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Penn. Methods for administration are discussed therein and below, e.g., for oral, intravenous, intraperitoneal, or intramuscular administration, transdermal diffusion, and others. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers typically include water, saline, buffers, and other compounds described, e.g., in the Merck Index, Merck & Co., Rahway, N.J. Dosage ranges would ordinarily be expected to be in amounts lower than 1 mM concentrations, typically less than about 10 μM concentrations, usually less than about 100 nM, preferably less than about 10 pM (picomolar), and most preferably less than about 1 fM (femtomolar), with an appropriate carrier. Slow release formulations, or a slow release apparatus will often be utilized for continuous administration.

[0160] A chemokine, fragments thereof, or antibodies to it or its fragments, antagonists, and agonists, may be administered directly to the host to be treated or, depending on the size of the compounds, it may be desirable to conjugate them to carrier proteins such as ovalbumin or serum albumin prior to their administration. Therapeutic formulations may be administered in many conventional dosage formulations. While it is possible for the active ingredient to be administered alone, it is often preferable to present it as a pharmaceutical formulation. Formulations typically comprise at least one active ingredient, as defined above, together with one or more acceptable carriers thereof. Each carrier should be both pharmaceutically and physiologically acceptable in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients and not injurious to the patient. Carriers may improve storage life, stability, etc. Formulations include those suitable for oral, rectal, nasal, or parenteral (including subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous and intradermal) administration. The formulations may conveniently be presented in unit dosage form and may be prepared by any methods well known in the art of pharmacy. See, e.g., Gilman, et al. (eds.) (1990) Goodman and Gilman's: The Pharmacological Bases of Therapeutics, 8th Ed., Pergamon Press; and Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 17th ed. (1990), Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Penn.; Avis, et al. (eds.) (1993) Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Parenteral Medications Dekker, New York; Lieberman, et al. (eds.) (1990) Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Tablets Dekker, New York; and Lieberman, et al. (eds.) (1990) Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Disperse Systems Dekker, New York. The therapy of this invention may be combined with or used in association with other therapeutic agents. Similar considerations will often apply to receptor based reagents.

[0161] Both the naturally occurring and the recombinant forms of the chemokines or receptors of this invention are particularly useful in kits and assay methods which are capable of screening compounds for binding activity to the proteins. Several methods of automating assays have been developed in recent years so as to permit screening of tens of thousands of compounds in a short period. See, e.g., Fodor, et al. (1991) Science 251:767-773, which describes means for testing of binding affinity by a plurality of defined polymers synthesized on a solid substrate. The development of suitable assays can be greatly facilitated by the availability of large amounts of purified, soluble chemokine as provided by this invention.

[0162] For example, antagonists can normally be found once a ligand has been structurally defined. Testing of potential ligand analogs is now possible upon the development of highly automated assay methods using physiologically responsive cells. In particular, new agonists and antagonists will be discovered by using screening techniques described herein.

[0163] Viable cells could also be used to screen for the effects of drugs on respective chemokine or G-protein coupled receptor mediated functions, e.g., second messenger levels, i.e., Ca⁺⁺; inositol phosphate pool changes (see, e.g., Berridge (1993) Nature 361:315-325 or Billah and Anthes (1990) Biochem. J. 269:281-291); cellular morphology modification responses; phosphoinositide lipid turnover; an antiviral response. and others. Some detection methods allow for elimination of a separation step, e.g., a proximity sensitive detection system. Calcium sensitive dyes will be useful for detecting Ca⁺⁺ levels, with a fluorimeter or a fluorescence cell sorting apparatus.

[0164] Rational drug design may also be based upon structural studies of the molecular shapes of the chemokines, other effectors or analogs, or the receptors. Effectors may be other proteins which mediate other functions in response to ligand binding, or other proteins which normally interact with the receptor. One means for determining which sites interact with specific other proteins is a physical structure determination, e.g., x-ray crystallography or 2 dimensional NMR techniques. These will provide guidance as to which amino acid residues form molecular contact regions. For a detailed description of protein structural determination, see, e.g., Blundell and Johnson (1976) Protein Crystallography, Academic Press, New York.

[0165] Purified chemokine or receptor can be coated directly onto plates for use in the aforementioned drug screening techniques, and may be associated with detergents or lipids. However, non-neutralizing antibodies, e.g., to the chemokines or receptors can be used as capture antibodies to immobilize the respective protein on the solid phase.

[0166] Similar concepts also apply to the chemokine receptor embodiments of the invention.

[0167] IX. Kits

[0168] This invention also contemplates use of chemokine or receptor proteins, fragments thereof, peptides, binding compositions, and their fusion products in a variety of diagnostic kits and methods for detecting the presence of ligand, antibodies, or receptors. Typically the kit will have a compartment containing a defined chemokine or receptor peptide or gene segment or a reagent which recognizes one or the other, e.g., binding reagents.

[0169] A kit for determining the binding affinity of a test compound to a chemokine or receptor would typically comprise a test compound; a labeled compound, for example an antibody having known binding affinity for the protein; a source of chemokine or receptor (naturally occurring or recombinant); and a means for separating bound from free labeled compound, such as a solid phase for immobilizing the ligand or receptor. Once compounds are screened, those having suitable binding affinity to the ligand or receptor can be evaluated in suitable biological assays, as are well known in the art, to determine whether they act as agonists or antagonists to the receptor. The availability of recombinant chemokine or receptor polypeptides also provide well defined standards for calibrating such assays or as positive control samples.

[0170] A preferred kit for determining the concentration of, for example, a chemokine or receptor in a sample would typically comprise a labeled compound, e.g., antibody, having known binding affinity for the target, a source of ligand or receptor (naturally occurring or recombinant) and a means for separating the bound from free labeled compound, for example, a solid phase for immobilizing the chemokine or receptor. Compartments containing reagents, and instructions for use or disposal, will normally be provided.

[0171] Antibodies, including antigen binding fragments, specific for the chemokine or receptor, or fragments are useful in diagnostic applications to detect the presence of elevated levels of chemokine, receptor, and/or its fragments. Such diagnostic assays can employ lysates, live cells, fixed cells, immunofluorescence, cell cultures, body fluids, and further can involve the detection of antigens related to the ligand or receptor in serum, or the like. Diagnostic assays may be homogeneous (without a separation step between free reagent and antigen complex) or heterogeneous (with a separation step). Various commercial assays exist, such as radioimmunoassay (RIA), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), enzyme immunoassay (EIA), enzyme-multiplied immunoassay technique (EMIT), substrate-labeled fluorescent immunoassay (SLFIA), and the like. For example, unlabeled antibodies can be employed by using a second antibody which is labeled and which recognizes the primary antibody to a chemokine or receptor or to a particular fragment thereof. Similar assays have also been extensively discussed in the literature. See, e.g., Harlow and Lane (1988) Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, CSH.

[0172] Anti-idiotypic antibodies may have similar uses to diagnose presence of antibodies against a chemokine or receptor, as such may be diagnostic of various abnormal states. For example, overproduction of a chemokine or receptor may result in production of various immunological reactions which may be diagnostic of abnormal physiological states, particularly in various inflammatory or asthma conditions.

[0173] Frequently, the reagents for diagnostic assays are supplied in kits, so as to optimize the sensitivity of the assay. For the subject invention, depending upon the nature of the assay, the protocol, and the label, either labeled or unlabeled antibody or labeled chemokine or receptor is provided. This is usually in conjunction with other additives, such as buffers, stabilizers, materials necessary for signal production such as substrates for enzymes, and the like. Preferably, the kit will also contain instructions for proper use and disposal of the contents after use. Typically the kit has compartments or containers for each useful reagent. Desirably, the reagents are provided as a dry lyophilized powder, where the reagents may be reconstituted in an aqueous medium providing appropriate concentrations of reagents for performing the assay.

[0174] The aforementioned constituents of the drug screening and the diagnostic assays may be used without modification or may be modified in a variety of ways. For example, labeling may be achieved by covalently or non-covalently joining a moiety which directly or indirectly provides a detectable signal. In any of these assays, the ligand, test compound, chemokine, receptor, or antibodies thereto can be labeled either directly or indirectly. Possibilities for direct labeling include label groups: radiolabels such as ¹²⁵I, enzymes (U.S. Pat. No. 3,645,090) such as peroxidase and alkaline phosphatase, and fluorescent labels (U.S. Pat. No. 3,940,475) capable of monitoring the change in fluorescence intensity, wavelength shift, or fluorescence polarization. Possibilities for indirect labeling include biotinylation of one constituent followed by binding to avidin coupled to one of the above label groups.

[0175] There are also numerous methods of separating bound from the free ligand, or alternatively bound from free test compound. The chemokine or receptor can be immobilized on various matrixes, perhaps with detergents or associated lipids, followed by washing. Suitable matrixes include plastic such as an ELISA plate, filters, and beads. Methods of immobilizing the chemokine or receptor to a matrix include, without limitation, direct adhesion to plastic, use of a capture antibody, chemical coupling, and biotin-avidin. The last step in this approach may involve the precipitation of antigen/antibody complex by any of several methods including those utilizing, e.g., an organic solvent such as polyethylene glycol or a salt such as ammonium sulfate. Other suitable separation techniques include, without limitation, the fluorescein antibody magnetizable particle method described in Rattle, et al. (1984) Clin. Chem. 30:1457-1461, and the double antibody magnetic particle separation as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,659,678.

[0176] Methods for linking proteins or their fragments to the various labels have been extensively reported in the literature and do not require detailed discussion here. Many of the techniques involve the use of activated carboxyl groups either through the use of carbodiimide or active esters to form peptide bonds, the formation of thioethers by reaction of a mercapto group with an activated halogen such as chloroacetyl, or an activated olefin such as maleimide, for linkage, or the like. Fusion proteins will also find use in these applications.

[0177] Another diagnostic aspect of this invention involves use of oligonucleotide or polynucleotide sequences taken from the sequence of the chemokine or receptor. These sequences can be used as probes for detecting levels of the ligand message in samples from patients suspected of having an abnormal condition, e.g., an inflammatory, physiological, or developmental problem. The preparation of both RNA and DNA nucleotide sequences, the labeling of the sequences, and the preferred size of the sequences has received ample description and discussion in the literature. Normally an oligonucleotide probe should have at least about 14 nucleotides, usually at least about 18 nucleotides, and the polynucleotide probes may be up to several kilobases. Various labels may be employed, most commonly radionuclides, particularly ³²P. However, other techniques may also be employed, such as using biotin modified nucleotides for introduction into a polynucleotide. The biotin then serves as the site for binding to avidin or antibodies, which may be labeled with a wide variety of labels, such as radionuclides, fluorescers, enzymes, or the like. Alternatively, antibodies may be employed which can recognize specific duplexes, including DNA duplexes, RNA duplexes, DNA-RNA hybrid duplexes, or DNA-protein duplexes. The antibodies in turn may be labeled and the assay carried out where the duplex is bound to a surface, so that upon the formation of duplex on the surface, the presence of antibody bound to the duplex can be detected. The use of probes to the novel anti-sense RNA may be carried out in conventional techniques such as nucleic acid hybridization, plus and minus screening, recombinational probing, hybrid released translation (HRT), and hybrid arrested translation (HART). This also includes amplification techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

[0178] Diagnostic kits which also test for the qualitative or quantitative presence of other markers are also contemplated. Diagnosis or prognosis may depend on the combination of multiple indications used as markers. Thus, kits may test for combinations of markers. See, e.g., Viallet, et al. (1989) Progress in Growth Factor Res. 1:89-97.

[0179] X. Receptor for Chemokine; Ligands for Receptors

[0180] Having isolated a ligand binding partner of a specific interaction, methods exist for isolating the counter-partner. See, Gearing, et al EMBO J. 8:3667-4676 or McMahan, et al. (1991) EMBO J. 10:2821-2832. For example, means to label a chemokine without interfering with the binding to its receptor can be determined. For example, an affinity label can be fused to either the amino- or carboxy-terminus of the ligand. An expression library can be screened for specific binding of chemokine, e.g., by cell sorting, or other screening to detect subpopulations which express such a binding component. See, e.g., Ho, et al. (1993) Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. 90:11267-11271. Alternatively, a panning method may be used. See, e.g., Seed and Aruffo (1987) Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci. 84:3365-3369.

[0181] With a receptor, means to identify the ligand exist. Methods for using the receptor, e.g., on the cell membrane, can be used to screen for ligand by, e.g., assaying for a common G-protein linked signal such as Ca++ flux. See Lerner (1994) Trends in Neurosciences 17:142-146. It is likely that the ligands for these receptors are chemokines.

[0182] Protein cross-linking techniques with label can be applied to a isolate binding partners of a chemokine. This would allow identification of protein which specifically interacts with a chemokine, e.g., in a ligand-receptor like manner.

[0183] The broad scope of this invention is best understood with reference to the following examples, which are not intended to limit the invention to specific embodiments.

EXAMPLES

[0184] I. General Methods

[0185] Many of the standard methods below are described or referenced, e.g., in Maniatis, et al. (1982) Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor Press, NY; Sambrook, et al. (1989) Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (2d ed.) Vols. 1-3, CSH Press, NY; Ausubel, et al., Biology Greene Publishing Associates, Brooklyn, N.Y.; or Ausubel, et al. (1987 and Supplements) Current Protocols in Molecular Biology Wiley/Greene, NY; Innis, et al. (eds.) (1990) PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications Academic Press, NY. Methods for protein purification include such methods as ammonium sulfate precipitation, column chromatography, electrophoresis, centrifugation, crystallization, and others. See, e.g., Ausubel, et al. (1987 and periodic supplements); Deutscher (1990) “Guide to Protein Purification,” Methods in Enzymology vol. 182, and other volumes in this series; Coligan, et al. (1995 and supplements) Current Protocols in Protein Science John Wiley and Sons, New York, N.Y.; P. Matsudaira (ed.) (1993) A Practical Guide to Protein and Peptide Purification for Microsequencing, Academic Press, San Diego, Calif.; and manufacturer's literature on use of protein purification products, e.g., Pharmacia, Piscataway, N.J., or Bio-Rad, Richmond, Calif. Combination with recombinant techniques allow fusion to appropriate segments (epitope tags), e.g., to a FLAG sequence or an equivalent which can be fused, e.g., via a protease-removable sequence. See, e.g., Hochuli (1989) Chemische Industrie 12:69-70; Hochuli (1990) “Purification of Recombinant Proteins with Metal Chelate Absorbent” in Setlow (ed.) Genetic Engineering, Principle and Methods 12:87-98, Plenum Press, NY; and Crowe, et al. (1992) QIAexpress: The High Level Expression &Protein Purification System QUIAGEN, Inc., Chatsworth, Calif.

[0186] Standard immunological techniques are described, e.g., in Hertzenberg, et al. (eds. 1996) Weir's Hanbook of Experimental Immunology vols 1-4, Blackwell Science; Coligan (1991) Current Protocols in Immunology Wiley/Greene, NY; and Methods in Enzymology volumes. 70, 73, 74, 84, 92, 93, 108, L16, 121, 132, 150, 162, and 163. Assays for neural cell biological activities are described, e.g., in Wouterlood (ed. 1995) Neuroscience Protocols modules 10, Elsevier; Methods in Neurosciences Academic Press; and Neuromethods Humana Press, Totowa, N.J. Methodology of developmental systems is described, e.g., in Meisami (ed.) Handbook of Human Growth and Developmental Biology CRC Press; and Chrispeels (ed.) Molecular Techniques and Approaches in Developmental Biology Interscience.

[0187] FACS analyses are described in Melamed, et al. (1990) Flow Cytometry and Sorting Wiley-Liss, Inc., New York, N.Y.; Shapiro (1988) Practical Flow Cytometry Liss, New York, N.Y.; and Robinson, et al. (1993) Handbook of Flow Cytometry Methods Wiley-Liss, New York, N.Y.

[0188] II. Isolation and Characterization of Rodent CXC N4 cDNAs

[0189] The rodent CXC N4 was identified from a mouse cDNA library. Individual cDNA clones are sequenced using standard methods, e.g., the Taq DyeDeoxy Terminator Cycle Sequencing kit (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.), and the sequence is further characterized.

[0190] The predicted signal sequence corresponds to amino acids met1 to about gly19, so the mature form should begin with gln20 and run about the standard chemokine length, e.g., about 90 to 110 residues. Additional processing may occur in a physiological system.

[0191] Computer analysis and alignments for related genes indicates the closest match is to the mouse chemokines SDF-1, IP-10, and MIG. This similarity in sequence may well correlate with similarity in regulation, which suggests related functions. The absence of the ELR motif in the CXC chemokine suggests that it will not bind to the IL-8 receptors, and is probably not angiogenic. It may still be angiostatic, suggesting some possible use in tumor or related therapies. Conversely, an antagonist is likely to block its activity, which suggests therapeutic or research use where angiostasis is undesirable, e.g., wound healing, etc.

[0192] Other rodent counterparts should be isolatable using the entire coding portion of this clone as a hybridization probe. A Southern blot or PCR analysis may indicate the extent of homology across species, and either a cDNA library or mRNA can be screened to identify an appropriate cell source. The physiological state of many different cell types may also be evaluated for increased expression of the gene.

[0193] III. Isolation and Characterization of GPCR cDNAs

[0194] A. Rodent DNAXCCR10

[0195] The partial rodent DNAXCCR10 clone was derived from mouse cDNA library. The nucleotide sequence is provided in FIG. 5 (SEQ ID NOS:5 and 6), encoding a polypeptide of about 75 amino acids, at the carboxy terminus of the natural gene.

[0196] Computer analysis suggests that the closest related genes are various G-protein coupled receptors. These include the chemokine receptors, and protease, e.g., thrombin, receptors. Structural motifs suggest that the receptor contains motifs characteristic of the chemokine receptor family, and of the protease receptor family. The transmembrane segments, based upon hydrophobicity plots and comparisons with other similar GPCRs, particularly the human and canine GPCR W genes, should be about as follows: TM6 ends at gln2; and TM7 from phe14 to gln36. See, e.g., Loetscher, et al. (1996) J. Expt'l Med. 184:963-969. The amino terminal segment is probably an extracellular segment (E1), and the others would be E2 between TM2 and TM3; E3 between TM4 and TM5; and E4 between TM6 and TM7. The intracellular segments should then run I1 between TM1 and TM2; I2 between TM3 and TM4, I3 between TM5 and TM6, and I4 the carboxy terminus from the end of TM7. Additional processing may occur in a physiological system. A computer analysis of GPCR sequences will indicate residues characteristic of the family members.

[0197] Other rodent counterparts should be isolatable using the entire coding portion of this mouse clone as a hybridization probe. A Southern blot may indicate the extent of homology across species, and either a cDNA library or mRNA can be screened to identify an appropriate cell source. The physiological state of many different cell types may also be evaluated for increased expression of the gene.

[0198] Screening for response to various chemokine ligands indicates that the receptor responds to the presence of the MIP-3α chemokine. See Hieshima, et al. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272:5846-5853; Hromas, et al. (1997) Blood 89:3315-3322; and Baba, et al. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272:14893-14898. The receptor induced a Ca++ flux upon transfection into various cell types and contacting with the MIP-3α. This receptor is distributed on T cells, as discussed below.

[0199] This suggests that the MIP-3α chemokine ligand, or its antagonist, should have activity in recruiting resting T cells and/or NK cells to sites of inflammation. It may also be useful in vaccines, exhibiting certain adjuvant effects. Thus, these reagents may be useful in regulation of inflammation, or initiation of an immune response.

[0200] B. Primate BLRx

[0201] The primate BLRX clone was derived from a cDNA library made from human sequence, including both olfactory epithelium and tonsil cells.

[0202] Computer analysis suggests that the closest related genes are various G-protein coupled receptors. Structural analysis indicates that the receptor contains motifs characteristic of the chemokine receptor family, and exhibits similarity to a bovine gustative receptor. The transmembrane segments, based upon hydrophobicity plots and comparisons with other similar GPCRs, should be about as follows: TM1 from val42 to tyr69; TM2 from val78 to val102; TM3 from ile114 to ile135; TM4 from trp155 to val174; TM5 from ala198 to tyr220; TM6 from lys240 to asn257; TME7 from gln286 to phe305.

[0203] Other primate counterparts should be isolatable using the entire coding portion of this human clone as a hybridization probe. A Southern blot may indicate the extent of homology across species, and either a cDNA library or mRNA can be screened to identify an appropriate cell source. The physiological state of many different cell types may also be evaluated for increased expression of the gene.

[0204] IV. Preparation of Antibodies

[0205] Many standard methods are available for preparation of antibodies. For example, synthetic peptides may be prepared to be used as antigen, administered to an appropriate animal, and either polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies prepared. Short peptides, e.g., less than about 10 amino acids may be expressed as repeated sequences, while longer peptides may be used alone or conjugated to a carrier. For example, with the GPCRs, animals are immunized with peptides or complete proteins from apprpriate portions of FIGS. 1-5. Highest specificity will result when the polypeptides are selected from portions which are most unique, e.g., not from conserved sequence regions. The animals may be used to collect antiserum, or may be used to generate monoclonal antibodies.

[0206] Antiserum is evaluated for use, e.g., in an ELISA, and will be evaluated for utility in immunoprecipitation, e.g., typically native, or Western blot, e.g., denatured antigen, analysis. Monoclonal antibodies will also be evaluated for those same uses.

[0207] The antibodies provided will be useful as immunoaffinity reagents, as detection reagents, for immunohistochemistry, and as potential therapeutic reagents, either as agonist or antagonist reagents.

[0208] V. Assays for Chemotactic Activity of Chemokines

[0209] Chemokine proteins are produced, e.g., in COS cells transfected with a plasmid carrying the chemokine cDNA by electroporation. See, Hara, et al. (1992) EMBO J. 10:1875-1884. Physical analytical methods may be applied, e.g., CD analysis, to compare tertiary structure to other chemokines to evaluate whether the protein has likely folded into an active conformation. After transfection, a culture supernatant is collected and subjected to bioassays. A mock control, e.g., a plasmid carrying the luciferase cDNA, is used. See, de Wet, et al. (1987) Mol. Cell. Biol. 7:725-757. A positive control, e.g., recombinant murine MIP-1α from R&D Systems (Minneapolis, Minn.), is typically used. Likewise, antibodies may be used to block the biological activities, e.g., as a control.

[0210] Lymphocyte migration assays are performed as previously described, e.g., in Bacon, et al. (1988) Br. J. Pharmacol. 95:966-974. Murine Th2 T cell clones, CDC-25 (see Tony, et al. (1985) J. Exp. Med. 161:223-241) and HDK-1 (see Cherwinski, et al. (1987) J. Exp. Med. 166:1229-1244), made available from R. Coffman and A. O'Garra (DNAX, Palo Alto, Calif.), respectively, are used as controls.

[0211] Ca2+ flux upon chemokine stimulation is measured, e.g., according to the published procedure described in Bacon, et al. (1995) J. Immunol. 154:3654-3666.

[0212] Maximal numbers of migrating cells in response to the chemokine being tested are measured. See Schall (1993) J. Exp. Med. 177:1821-1826. A dose-response curve is determined, preferably giving a characteristic bell shaped dose-response curve.

[0213] After stimulation with various chemokines, lymphocytes often exhibit a measurable intracellular Ca2+ flux. MIP-1α, e.g., is capable of inducing immediate transients of calcium mobilization. Typically, the levels of chemokine used in these assays will be comparable to those used for the chemotaxis assays ({fraction (1/1000)} dilution of conditioned supernatants).

[0214] Retroviral infection assays have also been described, and recent description of certain chemokine receptors in retroviral infection processes may indicate that similar roles may apply these receptors. See, e.g., Balter (1996) Science 272:1740 (describing evidence for chemokine receptors as coreceptors for HIV); and Deng, et al. (1996) Nature 381:661-666.

[0215] For receptors, biological activity may be measured in response to an appropriate ligand. The receptors are transfected into an assortment of cell types, each of which is likely to possess the intracellular signaling components compatible with the expressed receptor. Various ligand sources are tested to find a source of ligand which results in a G-protein coupled response. Alternatively, the cells are tested for Ca++ flux in response to such ligands. Flux may be conveniently measured by electrophysiological means, or by Ca++ sensitive dyes.

[0216] VI. Analysis of Individual Variation

[0217] From the distribution data, an abundant easily accessible cell type is selected for sampling from individuals. Using PCR techniques, a large population of individuals are analysed for this gene. cDNA or other PCR methods are used to sequence the corresponding gene in the different individuals, and their sequences are compared. This indicates both the extent of divergence among racial or other populations, as well as determining which residues are likely to be modifiable without dramatic effects on function.

[0218] VII. Biological Activities, Direct and Indirect

[0219] A robust and sensitive assay is selected as described above, e.g., on immune cells, neuronal cells, or stem cells. Chemokine is added to the assay in increasing doses to see if a dose response is detected. For example, in a proliferation assay, cells are plated out in plates. Appropriate culture medium is provided, and chemokine is added to the cells in varying amounts. Growth is monitored over a period of time which will detect either a direct effect on the cells, or an indirect effect of the chemokine.

[0220] Alternatively, an activation assay or attraction assay is used. An appropriate cell type is selected, e.g, hematopoietic cells, myeloid (macrophages, neutrophils, polymorphonuclear cells, etc.) or lymphoid (T cell, B cell, or NK cells), neural cells (neurons, neuroglia, oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, etc.), or stem cells, e.g., progenitor cells which differentiate to other cell types, e.g., gut crypt cells and undifferentiated cell types.

[0221] Other assays will be those which have been demonstrated with other chemokines. See, e.g., Schall and Bacon (1994) Current Opinion in Immunology 6:865-873; and Bacon and Schall (1996) Int. Arch. Allergy &Immunol. 109:97-109.

[0222] VIII. Structure Activity Relationship

[0223] Information on the criticality of particular residues is determined using standard procedures and analysis. Standard mutagenesis analysis is performed, e.g., by generating many different variants at determined positions, e.g., at the structural positions identified above, and evaluating biological activities of the variants. This may be performed to the extent of determining positions which modify activity, or to focus on specific positions to determine the residues which can be substituted to either retain, block, or modulate biological activity.

[0224] Alternatively, analysis of natural variants can indicate what positions tolerate natural mutations. This may result from populational analysis of variation among individuals, or across strains or species. Samples from selected individuals are analyzed, e.g., by PCR analysis and sequencing. This allows evaluation of population polymorphisms.

[0225] IX. Chromosomal Localization

[0226] The cDNA is labeled, e.g., nick-translated with biotin-14 dATP and hybridized in situ at a final concentration of 5 ng/μl to metaphases from two normal males. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) method may be modified from that described by Callen, et al. (1990). Ann. Genet. 33:219-221, in that chromosomes are stained before analysis with both prodidium iodide (as counter stain) and DAPI (for chromosome identification). Images of metaphase preparations are captured by a CCD camera and computer enhanced. Identification of the appropriate labeled chromosomes is determined. Localization to the standard locations for such molecule, or different location may also provide information as to function.

[0227] X. Expression Analysis of Chemokine/Receptor Genes

[0228] RNA blot and hybridization are performed according to the standard methods in Maniatis, et al. (1982) Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. An appropriate fragment or the whole coding sequence of a cDNA fragment is selected for use as a probe. To verify the amount of RNA loaded in each lane, the substrate membrane is reprobed with a control cDNA, e.g., glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PDH) cDNA (Clontech, Palo Alto Calif.).

[0229] Analysis of mRNA from the appropriate cell source using the probe will determine the natural size of message. It will also indicate whether different sized messages exist. The messages will be subject to analysis after isolation, e.g., by PCR or hybridization techniques.

[0230] Northern blot analysis may be performed on many different mRNA sources, e.g., different tissues, different species, or cells exhibiting defined physiological responses, e.g., activation conditions or developmental conditions. However, in certain cases, cDNA libraries may be used to evaluate sources which are difficult to prepare. A “reverse Northern” uses cDNA inserts removed from vector, but multiplicity of bands may reflect either different sized messages, or may be artifact due to incomplete reverse transcription in the preparation of the cDNA library. In such instances, verification may be appropriate by standard Northern analysis.

[0231] Similarly, Southern blots may be used to evaluate species distribution of a gene. The stringency of washes of the blot will also provide information as to the extent of homology of various species counterparts.

[0232] Tissue distribution, and cell distribution, may be evaluated by immunohistochemistry using antibodies. Alternatively, in situ nucleic acid hybridization may also be used in such analysis. Certain distribution data may be ascertained by the frequency and tissue types where messages have been found and collected in sequence databases, e.g., GenBank or proprietary collections.

[0233] A. Rodent CXC N4

[0234] The mouse CXC N4 sequence was identified from a mouse sequence data base. There is little distribution data generated at this time.

[0235] B. Rodent DNAXCCR10

[0236] The rodent DNAXCCR10 was isolated from a mouse cDNA library. A human counterpart nucleic acid is expressed in activate monocytes, and in spleen, lymph node, and appendix, with lesser signals detected in thymus and testis. The signal in testis may be artifact, and should probably be retested under more stringent conditions of isolated tissue. The message appears to be down-regulated in activated PBMC, in activated splenocytes, and activated T cell clones. The message appears to be up-regulated in activated NK cells. It appears up-regulated in activated monocytes, but down-regulated in IL-10 treated monocytes.

[0237] The distribution of the receptor points more to the function of the ligand, MIP-3α, as discussed above.

[0238] C. Primate BLRx

[0239] The BLRx GPCR was identified from primate cDNA library from Weizman Olfactory Epithelium and human tonsilar cells enriched for germinal center B cells. A full length clone was isolated from human spleen, and fragments have been identified in cDNA libraries derived from endometrium stromal cells and synovial fibroblasts.

[0240] The message has been detected in cDNA libraries from liver, brain, gall bladder, small intestine, ovary, uterus, spleen, and tonsil. A weak signal was detected in activated monocytes, but this needs to be confirmed. Message has also been detected in various T cell lines and a CHA cell line, but not in the tested Th1, Th2, or Th0 T cell clones. A signal was not detected in PBMC. There appear to be short sequences available from mouse sequences which correspond to a rodent counterpart for this gene.

[0241] XI. Biological Activity of BLRx

[0242] A. Expression Analysis

[0243] In order to identify cells types that express BLRx, a large panel of cDNA libraries was analyzed for the expression of BLRX using quantitative PCR. In particular, cDNA libraries from various cellular sources (indicated in FIG. 6) were prepared as described previously (Bolin, et al. (1997) J. Neurosci. 17:5493) and used as templates for Taqman-PCR analyses. Cells were stimulated with various cytokines as indicated in FIG. 6. The cDNAs (50 ng per reaction) were analyzed for the expression of BLRx genes by the Fluorogenic 5′-nuclease PCR assay (Holland, et al. (1991) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88:7276), using an ABI Prism 7700 Sequence Detection System (Perkin Elmer, Foster City, Calif.). Reactions were incubated for 2 min at 50° C., denatured for 10 min at 95° C. and subjected to 40 two-step amplification cycles with annealing/extension at 60° C. for 1 min followed by denaturation at 95° C. for 15 sec. The PCR products were analyzed with FAM-labeled probes. Values were expressed as fg/50 ng total cDNA.

[0244] Results of the expression analysis are presented in FIG. 6. In particular, expression analysis indicated that BLRx was constitutively expressed in dermal fibroblasts (FB), with expression significantly down-regulated by TNF-α and IL-1β. IFN-γ slightly down-regulated expression by fibroblasts, while IL-4 and IL-10 had no significant effects on expression levels.

[0245] BLRx was expressed at lower levels in keratinocytes (KC), melanocytes (MC) and dermal microvascular endothelial cells (DMEC).

[0246] These results indicate that BLRx may play a role in wound healing, sclerotic processes, keloid formation, collagen synthesis, scleroderma, systemic sclerosis or in other biological process where these cell types are implicated.

[0247] B. In Vivo Wound Healing Studies

[0248] In order to test the hypothesis that BLRx is involved in the wound healing process, the following experiment was conducted. Groups of female BALB/c mice (3 animals per group) were anesthetized with an intraperitoneal injection of Ketamine and Zylazine. The dorsal region was shaved and the surgical area disinfected. A 2 cm dorsal incisional wound was made through the epidermis and dermis leaving the subcutaneous muscle layer undisturbed. The wound was closed and the wound and surrounding area covered. Animals were sacrificed at 12 hours, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 10 days following incision.

[0249] Wounds were harvested and RNA was extracted using the RNA STAT 60 method (Tel-Test, New Jersey) and BLRx expression analyzed using Taqman-PCR analysis, as described above. Results are presented in FIG. 7. Values are expressed as fg/25 ng total cDNA. As can be seen, BLRx expression is up-regulated during early wound healing, peaking at 12 hours. The results evidence that BLRx plays a role in wound healing.

[0250] XII. Screening for Receptor/Ligand

[0251] Labeled reagent is useful for screening of an expression library made from a cell line which expresses a chemokine or receptor, as appropriate. Standard staining techniques are used to detect or sort intracellular or surface expressed ligand, or surface expressing transformed cells are screened by panning. Screening of intracellular expression is performed by various staining or immunofluorescence procedures. See also, e.g., McMahan, et al. (1991) EMBO J. 10:2821-2832.

[0252] For example, on day 0, precoat 2-chamber permanox slides with 1 ml per chamber of fibronectin, 10 ng/ml in PBS, for 30 min at room temperature. Rinse once with PBS. Then plate COS cells at 2-3×10⁵ cells per chamber in 1.5 ml of growth media. Incubate overnight at 37° C.

[0253] On day 1 for each sample, prepare 0.5 ml of a solution of 66 μg/ml DEAE-dextran, 66 μM chloroquine, and 4 μg DNA in serum free DME. For each set, a positive control is prepared, e.g., of mMIG-FLAG cDNA at 1 and 1/200 dilution, and a negative mock. Rinse cells with serum free DME. Add the DNA solution and incubate 5 hr at 37° C. Remove the medium and add 0.5 ml 10% DMSO in DME for 2.5 min. Remove and wash once with DME. Add 1.5 ml growth medium and incubate overnight.

[0254] On day 2, change the medium. On days 3 or 4, the cells are fixed and stained. Rinse the cells twice with Hank's Buffered Saline Solution (HBSS) and fix in 4% paraformaldehyde (PFA)/glucose for 5 min. Wash 3× with HBSS. The slides may be stored at −80° C. after all liquid is removed. For each chamber, 0.5 ml incubations are performed as follows. Add HBSS/saponin (0.1%) with 32 μl/ml of 1M NaN₃ for 20 min. Cells are then washed with HBSS/saponin 1×. Add antibody complex to cells and incubate for 30 min. Wash cells twice with HBSS/saponin. Add second antibody, e.g., Vector anti-mouse antibody, at 1/200 dilution, and incubate for 30 min. Prepare ELISA solution, e.g., Vector Elite ABC horseradish peroxidase solution, and preincubate for 30 min. Use, e.g., 1 drop of solution A (avidin) and 1 drop solution B (biotin) per 2.5 ml HBSS/saponin. Wash cells twice with HBSS/saponin. Add ABC HRP solution and incubate for 30 min. Wash cells twice with HBSS, second wash for 2 min, which closes cells. Then add Vector diaminobenzoic acid (DAB) for 5 to 10 min. Use 2 drops of buffer plus 4 drops DAB plus 2 drops of H₂O₂ per 5 ml of glass distilled water. Carefully remove chamber and rinse slide in water. Air dry for a few minutes, then add 1 drop of Crystal Mount and a cover slip. Bake for 5 min at 85-90° C.

[0255] Alternatively, the binding compositions are used to affinity purify or sort out cells expressing the ligand or receptor. See, e.g., Sambrook, et al. or Ausubel et al.

[0256] Many modification an variations of this invention can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The specific embodiments described herein are offered by way of example only, and the invention is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of the equivalents to which such claims are entitled.