Patent ID: 6451522
Filing Date: 2002-09-17
Classification: A61K,A61P,C07K

Abstract:
A method of detecting or identifying an agent which binds a mammalian CC-chemokine receptor 2 or ligand-binding variant thereof, comprising combining:a) an agent to be tested; b) an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof which binds to the amino terminal domain of mammalian CC-chemokine receptor 2, wherein said antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof inhibits binding of a chemokine to said receptor and inhibits one or more functions associated with binding of the chemokine to said receptor; and c) a composition comprising a mammalian CC-chemokine receptor 2 or a ligand-binding variant thereof, under conditions suitable for binding of said antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof to said mammalian CC-chemokine receptor 2 or ligand-binding variant thereof, and detecting or measuring binding of said antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof to said mammalian CC-chemokine receptor 2 or ligand-binding variant thereof, wherein the formation of a complex between said antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof and said mammalian CC-chemokine receptor 2 or ligand-binding variant thereof is monitored, and wherein a decrease in the amount of complex formed relative to a suitable control is indicative that the agent binds said receptor or ligand-binding variant thereof.