IP-10/Mig receptor designated CXCR3, antibodies, nucleic acids, and methods of use therefor

A host cell comprising a recombinant nucleic acid encoding a mammalian CXCR3 protein or functional variant thereof, wherein said protein can selectively bind one or more chemokines and can mediate cellular signalling and/or a cellular response in response thereto.

An isolated mammalian CXCR3 protein or functional variant thereof, wherein said protein can selectively bind one or more chemokines and can mediate cellular signalling and/or a cellular response in response thereto.

An isolated human CXCR3 protein encoded by the nucleic acid illustrated in FIG. 1 (SEQ ID NO:1).

A fusion protein comprising a mammalian CXCR3 protein.

A method for producing a mammalian CXCR3 protein or variant thereof comprising:

• (a) introducing into a host cell a nucleic acid encoding a mammalian CXCR3 protein or variant thereof, whereby a recombinant host cell is produced having said coding sequence operably linked to an expression control sequence;
• and
• (b) maintaining the host cells produced in step (a) under conditions whereby the nucleic acid is expressed.

A method for producing a mammalian CXCR3 protein or variant thereof comprising maintaining a host cell containing a recombinant nucleic acid encoding a mammalian CXCR3 protein or variant thereof under conditions suitable for expression of the nucleic acid.

An antibody or functional antibody fragment which binds a mammalian CXCR3 protein.

An antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof which binds a human CXCR3 protein.

A method of detecting or identifying an agent which binds a mammalian CXCR3 protein or ligand binding variant thereof, comprising combining an agent to be tested with a composition comprising an isolated and/or recombinant mammalian CXCR3 Protein or ligand binding variant thereof under conditions suitable for binding of ligand thereto, and detecting or measuring the formation of a complex between said agent and said mammalian CXCR3 protein or variant.

A method of detecting or identifying an agent which binds a mammalian CXCR3 protein or a ligand binding variant thereof comprising:

• a) combining an agent to be tested with a host cell expressing recombinant mammalian CXCR3 protein or a ligand binding variant thereof under conditions suitable for binding of ligand thereto;
• and
• b) detecting or measuring the formation of a complex between said agent and the mammalian CXCR3 protein or a ligand binding variant.

A method of detecting or identifying an inhibitor of ligand binding to a mammalian CXCR3 protein or a ligand binding variant thereof comprising:

• a) combining an agent to be tested with a ligand of said mammalian CXCR3 protein and a composition comprising isolated and/or recombinant mammalian CXCR3 protein or ligand binding variant thereof under conditions suitable for binding of ligand thereto;
• and
• b) detecting or measuring binding the formation of a complex between said mammalian CXCR3 protein or variant and said ligand, whereby inhibition of complex formation by the agent is indicative that the agent is an inhibitor.

A method of detecting or identifying an inhibitor of ligand binding to a mammalian CXCR3 protein or ligand binding variant thereof comprising:

• a) combining an agent to be tested with a ligand of said mammalian CXCR3 protein and a host cell expressing a recombinant mammalian CXCR3 protein or ligand binding variant thereof under conditions suitable for binding of ligand thereto;
• and
• b) detecting or measuring the formation of a complex between said protein or variant and said ligand, whereby inhibition of complex formation by the agent is indicative that the agent is an inhibitor.

A method of detecting or identifying an inhibitor of a mammalian CXCR3 protein or functional variant thereof comprising combining an agent to be tested with

• (a) a host cell expressing a recombinant mammalian CXCR3 protein or functional variant thereof, and
• (b) a ligand or promoter thereof, under conditions suitable for detecting a ligand- or promoter-induced response, and assessing the ability of the test agent to inhibit said response, whereby inhibition of a ligand- or promoter-induced response by the agent is indicative that the agent is an inhibitor.

A method of detecting or identifying a promoter of a mammalian CXCR3 protein of functional variant thereof comprising combining an agent to be tested with a host cell expressing a recombinant mammalian CXCR3 protein or functional variant thereof under conditions suitable for detecting a receptor-mediated response, and detecting or measuring said response, whereby induction or stimulation of said response by the agent is indicative that the agent is a promoter.

A method of detecting a selected mammalian CXCR3 protein in a sample comprising:

• a) contacting a sample with an antibody which binds said protein under conditions suitable for specific binding of said antibody to the selected mammalian CXCR3 protein;
• and
• b) detecting antibody-CXCR3 complexes.

A method of modulating at least one function of a mammalian CXCR3 protein, comprising the step of contacting said protein with an inhibitor or promoter of at least one function of said protein.

A method for treating an inflammatory disease or condition, comprising administering to a mammal a therapeutically effective amount of an inhibitor of a mammalian CXCR3 protein, whereby inflammation is reduced.

A method of antitumor therapy, comprising administering to a mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a promoter of a mammalian CXCR3 protein, other than a natural ligand of said protein.

A method of antiviral therapy, comprising administering to a mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a promoter of a mammalian CXCR3 protein, other than a natural ligand of said protein.

Antisense nucleic acid comprising a nucleic acid having a sequence that hybridizes to a nucleic acid having the sequence:

• a) SEQ ID NO:1,
• b) a portion thereof comprising the coding sequence,
• c) or an RNA counterpart of any one of (a) and (b).