Chimeric polypeptides containing chemokine domains

Abstract

This invention provides a chimeric DNA molecule comprising a sequence encoding a chemokine polypeptide covalently attached to a heterologous polypeptide, the encoded chimeric polypeptide, and uses thereof.

1 - 56 . (canceled) 
     
     
         57 . A method for altering CXCR4 receptor function in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a chimeric polypeptide and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein said chimeric polypeptide comprises
 at least one chemokine polypeptide covalently attached to at least one heterologous polypeptide,   and wherein the heterologous polypeptide is an Fc polypeptide, wherein the chemokine polypeptide comprises SEQ ID NO:1 from amino acid 22 to amino acid 328.   
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein said composition is in the form of a liposome. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 57 , further comprising administering a cytokine, a lymphokine, a hematopoietic factor, a thrombolytic factor, or an anti-thrombolytic factor. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein said composition is administered orally, topically, by inhalation, or by cutaneous, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, parenteral, or intravenous injection. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein said composition is administered orally in the form of a tablet, capsule, powder, solution or elixir. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein said composition comprises about 0.01 ng to about 100 mg of chimeric polypeptide per kg body weight. 
     
     
         63 . A method for inhibiting binding of a CXCR4 receptor to a CXCR4 receptor ligand comprising contacting a cell expressing said receptor with a chimeric polypeptide in an amount effective to inhibit binding of said receptor to said ligand, wherein said chimeric polypeptide comprises at least one chemokine polypeptide covalently attached to at least one heterologous polypeptide, and wherein the heterologous polypeptide is an Fc polypeptide, wherein the chemokine polypeptide comprises SEQ ID NO:1 from amino acid 22 to amino acid 328. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein said chimeric polypeptide is administered to a subject in vivo. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein said cell is contacted with said chimeric polypeptide in vitro. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein said chimeric polypeptide is in the form of a liposome. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 64 , further comprising administering a cytokine, a lymphokine, a hematopoietic factor, a thrombolytic factor, or an anti-thrombolytic factor. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein said chimeric polypeptide is administered orally, topically, by inhalation, or by cutaneous, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, parenteral, or intravenous injection. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 68 , wherein said chimeric polypeptide is administered orally in the form of a tablet, capsule, powder, solution or elixir. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein said chimeric polypeptide comprises about 0.01 μg to about 100 mg of chimeric polypeptide per kg body weight.