Chemokine uses; compositions; methods

Abstract

Agonists or antagonists of MIP-3α, and various methods of use in dermatological and related applications are provided. In particular, the method makes use of fact that the MIP-3α chemokine is specifically capable of inducing migration of a skin cell subset.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of modulating migration of a cell within or to the skin of a mammal, said method comprising administering to said mammal an effective amount of: 
 a) an antagonist of MIP-3α;    b) an agonist of MIP-3α;    c) an antagonist of CCR6; or    d) an agonist of CCR6.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said migration is within said skin.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said migration is chemotactic or chemokinetic.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said administering is systemic, local, topical, subcutaneous, intracutaneous, or transdermal.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said cell is a T cell, B cell, dendritic cell, or dendritic cell precursor.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said cell is a T cell.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said cell migrates into the dermal and/or epidermal layers of said skin.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said administering is an antagonist of MIP-3α.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said antagonist is selected from: 
 a) a mutein of natural MIP-3α;    b) an antibody which neutralizes MIP-3α; or    c) an antibody which binds to CCR6.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said mammal is subject to a skin condition, including one selected from cancer, cancer metastasis, autoimmunity, inflamation, infection, psoriasis, skin transplant, or skin graft.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said antagonist is administered in combination with an antibiotic, antifungal, antiviral, cancer therapy, or analgesic.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said antagonist is administered in combination with an immune suppressive therapeutic, anti-inflammatory drug, growth factor, or immune adjuvant.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said administering is with a primate MIP-3α.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said modulating is attracting said cell.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said cell is attracted to a site of cutaneous lesion.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said primate MIP-3α is administered in combination with an antibiotic, antifungal, antiviral, or analgesic.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said MIP-3α is administered in combination with a vasodilator, growth factor, cytokine, anti-inflammatory drug, or immune adjuvant.  
     
     
         18 . A method of purifying a population of cells, said method comprising contacting said cells with MIP-3α, thereby resulting in the identification of cells expressing a receptor for said MIP-3α.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein: 
 a) said receptor is CCR6; or    b) said contacting results in specific migration of said cells to a site for purification.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said migration is through pores of a membrane.