Chemocentryx, Inc.

Robert Berahovich

Thomas J Schall

Zhenhua Miao

Brett Anthony Premack

Zheng Wei

Maureen Howard

The inventors have discovered that a CK&#x3b2;8-1 truncation variant, CK&#x3b2;8-1 (25-116), is a bifunctional ligand for two distinct GPCRs, chemokine receptor CCR1 and formyl peptide receptor like 1 (FPRL1). Hence, the inventors have discovered that, in addition to its functional activity on CCR1, CK&#x3b2;8-1(25-116) is also a functional ligand for the GPCR receptor FPRL1 that is involved in inflammatory reactions and innate immunity by recruiting monocytes and neutrophils. In addition, the inventors have discovered an alternatively spliced exon of CK&#x3b2;8-1, named SHAAGtide. SHAAGtide, along with its parent chemokine CK&#x3b2;8-1 (25-116), is fully functional on both monocytes and neutrophils that are known to express FPRL1. This application relates generally to enhancing immune responses. Such immune responses may be elicited by vaccine administration. Compositions and methods for inducing or enhancing an immune response to an antigen are provided. The compositions and methods are useful for vaccine formulations for therapeutic and prophylactic use (immunization) and for production of antibodies.

Compositions useful as ligands for the formyl peptide receptor like 1 receptor and methods of use thereof

Truncated chemokines lacking an N-terminal region that activate CCR1 and/or FPRL1 and compositions containing the truncated chemokines are provided. Methods of identifying agents that modulate CCR1 and/or FPRL1 activity either by modulating the production of the truncated chemokines or the ability of the truncated chemokines to activate CCR1 and/or FPRL1 are also disclosed. Methods using the truncated chemokines to inhibit or activate CCR1 and/or FPRL1 mediated biological activities are also disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

Berkeley, CA, United States of America

Robert Berahovich