WO1998006751A1

WO1998006751A1 - Mcp-3, rantes and mip-1alpha receptor antagonists

Info

Publication number: WO1998006751A1
Application number: PCT/US1997/014485
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ian Clark-Lewis; Jiang-Hong Gong
Original assignee: Research Corporation Technologies, Inc.
Priority date: 1996-08-16
Filing date: 1997-08-18
Publication date: 1998-02-19

Abstract

The present invention is directed towards NH2-terminally truncated analogs of three human chemokines: MCP-3, RANTES and MIP-1α having highly potent anti-inflammatory activity and anti-autoimmune activity. The present invention is also directed to inhibiting the biological activities of three native, mammalian chemokines: MCP-3, RANTES and MIP-1α. The present invention is further directed to treating inflammatory diseases and autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, for example. The present invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising NH2-terminally truncated chemokine analogs.

Description

MCP-3. RANTES AND MTP-1 ALPHA RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS

GOVERNMENT SPONSORSHIP

The work in this application was supported by NIH Grant No. GM 50969-01.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to NH₂- terminally truncated analogs of Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein - 3 (MCP-3), RANTES and Macrophage Inflammatory Protein- l (MlP-lα) and compositions containing same and methods of employing said compositions for treating inflammatory diseases as well as autoimmune disorders.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Regulated on Activation, Normal T-Cell Expressed and Secreted (RANTES) , Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein- 3 (MCP-3) and Macrophage Inflammatory Protein- lα (MlP-lα) are inflammatory mediators, characterized as chemotactic cytokines or chemokines. The term "chemokine" reflects the ability of these mediators to induce directed migration of several types of leukocytes, including monocytes, lymphocytes, basophils and eosinophils into sites of inflammation.

RANTES, MCP-3 and MlP-lα are collectively known as "CC" chemokines because the first two cysteines in each molecule are adjacent. The CC chemokines contain disulfide bridges. The CC 1 chemokines have been implicated in a number of allergic and chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and various lung diseases. In such conditions, early monocytic infiltration of monocytes, 5 T- lymphocytes and other leukocytes may be a key event in the progression of the disease.

Multiple receptors mediate the functional activities of the CC chemokines. Five receptors have been identified and their polypeptide sequences

10 deduced from cDNA clones. These are: chemokine receptor CCKR-1, which binds MlP-lα, RANTES and MCP-3 (Gao, et al. (1995) J. EXP. Med. 177 : 1421 - 1427 : CCKR- 2, which binds MCP-3 and MCP-1 (Franci, et al . (1995) J. Immunol. 154:6511-6517): CCKR-3, which binds to

^■ _]_ RANTES, MCP-3 and Eotoxin (Kitaura, et al . (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271:7725-7730); CCKR₄, which binds to MCP- 1, RANTES and MlP-lα (Hoogawerf, et al . (1996) Biochem. Biophv. Research Communication 211:337-343), CCKR₅, which binds to MlP-lα/β and RANTES (Raport, et

20 al. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271:17161-17166..

The complete amino acid sequences of RANTES, MCP-3 and MlP-lα were described in Clark-Lewis, et al. (1995) J. Leukocyte Biol. 52:703-711. RANTES comprises a 68 amino acid polypeptide, MCP-3 comprises

25 a 76 amino acid polypeptide and MlP-lα comprises a 70 amino acid polypeptide.

It has been suggested that substances that are capable of blocking the effects of RANTES, MCP-3 and/or MlP-lα would be useful to moderate or inhibit _Q various inflammatory and allergy reactions. The

35 patent application of Wells, et al . filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty and published on June 13, 1996 under WO 96/17935, describes modified RANTES polypeptides possessing antagonistic activity. The polypeptides of Wells, et al . comprise the addition of amino acids to the N-terminal end of RANTES so that the number of amino acids in the antagonists described therein have a longer chain length than the corresponding native RANTES.

Masure, et al . (1995) J. Interferon and Cvtokine Res . 15:955-963, describe the expression of mutant MCP-3 in Pichia pastoris which possesses three additional NH₂ terminal amino acids. Masure, et al . characterized mutant MCP-3 as an MCP-3 receptor antagonist capable of competing with synthetic MCP-3. Heretofore, no one knew that NH₂ terminally truncated chemokine analogs of RANTES, MCP-3 or MlP-lα possessed significant antagonistic activity with very high receptor binding affinities. However, the present inventors have not only discovered the antagonistic effects of truncated RANTES, MCP-3 and MlP-lα, but also have discovered that the analogs are useful for treating inflammatory diseases and autoimmune disorders, e.g., rheumatoid arthritis. The inventors have also discovered that the analogs competitively bind and cross-bind to several different receptors. Inflammation involves the infiltration of multiple cell types that occurs through the interaction of different chemokines with distinct functional receptors. The inventors have further discovered that blocking the infiltration of multiple effector cells is highly effective in breaking the inflammation and autoimmune cycle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed towards

NH₂- terminally truncated analogs of three human chemokines: MCP-3, RANTES and MlP-lα having anti- inflammatory activity and/or anti -autoimmune activity. The present invention is also directed to inhibiting the biological activities of three native, mammalian chemokines MCP-3, RANTES and MlP-lα. The present invention is further directed to treating inflammatory diseases and autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis, for example. The present invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising NH₂- terminally truncated che okine analogs .

One aspect of the present invention is directed to an analog of mammalian MCP-3 lacking NH₂- terminal amino acids corresponding to amino acid residues 1-6, 1-7, 1-8, 1-9 or 1-10, of MCP-3, having substantial homology to the native MCP-3 molecule.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to an analog of mammalian RANTES lacking NH₂- terminal amino acids corresponding to amino acid residues 1-5, 1-6, 1-7, 1-8, and 1-9 of RANTES, having substantial homology to the native RANTES molecule.

A further aspect of the present invention is directed to an analog of mammalian MlP-lα lacking NH₂- terminal amino acids corresponding to amino acid residues 1-9 or 1-10, having substantial homology to the native MlP-lα molecule.

A still further aspect of the present invention is directed to a method of inhibiting the biological activity or the in vivo biological activity of native MCP-3, RANTES and MlP-lα comprising adding to the native MCP-3 RANTES and MlP-lα (if in vitro) or if in vivo administering to a host, e.g., mammal (for example, human) a therapeutically effective amount of an analog of MCP-3, RANTES or MlP-lα for a time and under conditions sufficient to inhibit the biological activity of the native molecules.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method of treating inflammatory diseases in a mammal suffering from said diseases comprising administering to said mammal a therapeutically effective amount of the analog of the present invention.

A further aspect of the present invention is directed to a method of treating autoimmune disorders in a* mammal comprising administering to a mammal in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an analog of the present invention.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising an antagonistically effective amount of one or more of the aforementioned analogs and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1A is a graph showing NH₂- terminal truncation of RANTES and MCP-3 resulted in a loss of chemotactic activity on THP-1 cells.

Figure IB is a graph showing the NH₂- terminal truncated RANTES analogs (RANTES (6 -68) , RANTES (7 - 68) , RANTES(8-68) , RANTES (9 - 68) , and RANTES ( 10 - 68) ) had no detectable activity.

Figure 1C is a graph showing truncation of the residues 1-9 of MlP-lα (MlP-lα (10-70)) reduced activity by more than 95% of the native MlP-lα, further truncation resulted MlP-lα (11-70) which completely lost chemoattractant activity on THP-1 cells .

Figure 2A is a graph showing RANTES antagonist activity of the RANTES (9 -68) analog titrated at the indicated concentrations against RANTES and MCP-3 in a chemotaxis assay using THP-1 cells.

Figure 2B is a graph showing MCP-3 antagonist activity of the MCP-3 (10-76) analog titrated at the indicated concentrations against MCP-3 and RANTES in a chemotaxis assay using THP-1 cells.

Figure 2C is a graph showing the inhibition of MlP-lα induced (10 nM or 10^'8M) THP-1 migration by MIP-l (10- 70) and MlP-lα (11-70) . Figure 2D is a graph showing the inhibition of RANTES - 1 induced (10 nM or 10^"8M) THP-1 migration by MIP-lα(10- 70) and MIP- lα (11 - 70) .

Figure 3A is a graph showing RANTES antagonist activity of RANTES (9-68) titrated at the indicated concentrations against RANTES- induced and MCP- 3- induced N-acetyl - β-D-glucosaminidase release using human blood monocytes .

0 Figure 3B is a graph showing MCP-3 antagonist activity of MCP-3 (10-76) titrated at the indicated concentrations against MCP- 3 -induced and RANTES - induced N-acetyl- β-D-glucosaminidase release using human blood monocytes. 5

Figures 3C and 3D are graphs showing MlP-lα antagonist activity of MIP- lα (10-70) and MIP- lα (11 -70) titrated at the indicated concentrations against MIP- lα- induced and RANTES - induced-N-acetyl - β -D-glucosaminidase o release using human blood monocytes. The concentration of MlP-lα and RANTES used was 30 nM.

Figures 4A and 4B are graphs showing competitive binding to THP-1 cells of unlabeled RANTES and 5 RANTES (9 -68) titrated at the indicated concentrations in the presence of 4 nM labeled RANTES (A) , and 4 nM labeled MCP- 3 (B) .

Figures 4C and 4D are graphs showing competitive 0 binding to THP-1 cells of unlabeled MCP- 3 and MCP-

5 3(10-76) titrated at the indicated concentrations in the presence of 4 nM labeled MCP- 3 (D) and 4 nM labeled RANTES (C) .

Figure 4E is a graph showing competitive binding to THP-1 cells of unlabeled MCP-3 and MCP-3(8-76), MCP- 3(9-76), MCP-3 (10-76) and MCP- 3 (11 - 76) titrated at the indicated concentrations in the presence of 4 nM labeled MCP- 3.

Figure 4F is a graph showing competitive binding to THP-1 cells of unlabeled RANTES and RANTES (6-68), RANTES (7-68), RANTES (8-68), RANTES (9-68) and RANTES (10-68) titrated at the indicated concentrations in the presence of 4 nM labeled RANTES.

Figure 5 is a graph showing competitive binding to THP-1 cells of unlabeled MlP-lα and MIP- l (10 -70) and MIP- lα (11-70) titrated at the indicated concentrations in the presence of 4 nM labeled MlP-lα.

Figure 6 is a chart summarizing the binding and antagonist activities of MlP-lα, RANTES and MCP- 3 analogs.

Figure 7 is a graph showing competitive binding to THP-1 cells of unlabeled PJ lTES and RANTES (9 -68) and RANTES (9-68, P9T) titrated at the indicated concentrations in the presence of 4 nM labeled MCP-1. Figure 8 is a graph which shows that human RANTES (9- 68) was able to bind to the receptor on mouse peritoneal macrophages. Native human RANTES did not significantly bind to mouse peritoneal macrophages.

Figures 9A and 9B are graphs showing that daily i.p. injections of RANTES (9-68) inhibited the swelling and the incidence of arthritis in treated mice.

Figure 10 is a chart showing untreated control animals and animals administered a peptide control developed rheumatoid arthritis, substantial infiltration of mononuclear cells into the synovial tissue, extensive hyperplasia of the synovial lining, pannus formation and bone and cartilage damage. In contrast, animals treated with RANTES (9 -68) exhibited no invasive pannus, no bone or cartilage damage and insignificant inflammatory infiltration.

Figure 11 is a graph which shows that human MCP- 3 (9- ⁷6) was able to bind to the receptor on mouse monocytes. Native human MCP- 3 did not significantly bind to mouse monocytic cells.

Figure 12 is a graph showing that daily i.p. injections of MCP-3 (9-76) inhibited the swelling and the incidence of arthritis in treated mice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is directed to NH₂- terminally truncated analogs of three human chemokines, MCP-3, RANTES and MlP-lα, useful for treating inflammatory conditions and autoimmune disorders. Inflammatory conditions contemplated by the present invention include both acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. Examples include, but are not limited to, arthritis, asthma, colitis, psoriasis, atheromas and the like. Examples of autoimmune conditions include rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis and the like. As defined by the present invention an NH₂- terminally truncated chemokine analog acts as an antagonist to a corresponding native chemokine. The antagonistic activity of the chemokine analogs of the present invention includes inhibition of biological activity induced by corresponding native chemokines .

In the application, the products of the present invention are referred to by various terms, including "analogs of the present invention", "NH₂- terminally truncated analogs", "polypeptides of the present invention", "antagonists of the corresponding chemokines", etc. are used interchangeably and denote equivalent expression.

As defined by the present invention biological activity refers to the biological activity of the native chemokines, as measured by standard assays, including but not limited to receptor binding, chemotaxis, calcium mobilization and exocytosis characterized by N-Acetyl - β-D-glucosaminidase release 1 and elastase release.

Preferred MCP- 3 analogs of the present invention include: MCP-3 (7-76), (8-76), (9-76), (10- 76) and (11-76) . Preferred RANTES analogs of the present invention include: RANTES (6-68), (7-68), (8- 68), (9-68) and (10-68). Preferred MIP- lα analogs of the present invention include: MlP-lα (9-70), (10-70) and (11-70) .

As defined by the present invention any 0 reference by number to an amino acid in an analog, e.g., MCP-3 analog will be a reference to the corresponding residue number from the amino acid sequence of the native molecule shown in Table 1. For example, where the first 7, 8, 9 or 10 amino acids of MCP -3 are truncated (as is the case for the MCP-3 analogs shown in Table 1) the analogs will be referred to MCP- 3 (8-76), MCP-3 (9-76), MCP-3(10-76) and MCP- 3(11-76), respectively.

The analogs of the present invention o comprise an amino acid sequence that is identical to the corresponding region of the native molecule, or a polypeptide fragment having a region that is substantially homologous to all or part of a region of the corresponding native molecule while still 5 maintaining the antagonist activity to the corresponding native molecule. The analogs of the present invention maintain the ability to competitively bind at the receptor site of the corresponding chemokine. Analogs which are 0 "substantially homologous" to all or part of a region

5 of the native molecule are characterized as having from 1-10 amino acid deletions, additions or substitutions that do not result in an analog losing its ability to compete with a native chemokine for binding to a chemokine receptor while still retaining the antagonist activity. It is preferred that the MCP- 3 analogs of the present invention are at least about 80% homologous to native MCP-3 and can have as much as 100% homology to native MCP- 3, inclusive. More preferably, MCP- 3 analogs of the present invention are at least about 85% homologous to native MCP- 3. Still more preferably, MCP- 3 analogs of the present invention are at least about 90% homologous to native MCP- 3. Most preferred MCP- 3 analogs of the present invention are at least about 95% homologous to native MCP- 3. RANTES and MlP-lα analogs of the present invention are preferably at least about 60% homologous to the corresponding native polypeptides and can extend to as much as 100% homology to the corresponding native polypeptides, inclusive. The RANTES analogs and MlP-lα analogs of the present invention are preferably at least about 60% homologous to the native polypeptides and more preferably at least about 75%, even more preferably at least about 85% and most preferably at least about 90% and 95% homologous to the native chemokine.

Polypeptides having truncation at both the N-terminal end and the C- terminal end are also contemplated to be within the scope of the present invention. For example, up to 10 amino acids can be truncated from the C- terminal end of the analogs described hereinabove.

It is noted that it is well known in the art that certain amino acids can be replaced with others resulting in no or relatively little change in the properties of the polypeptide. Thus, for example, specific amino acid substitutions that may be tolerated in each analog of the present invention include: Glu or Asn for Asp; Asp or Gin for Glu; Arg for Lys; Lys for Arg; Asn for His; Pro for Gly; Gly or Thr for Pro; Asn or Met or Leu for Gin; Gin, Ser or Ala for Asn; Ser, Val or lie or Pro for Thr; Thr or Ala for Ser; Phe for Tyr; Tyr for Phe; lie, Val, or Met for Leu; Ser for Ala; and any combinations thereof. As defined by the present invention, e.g. "P9T" denotes a substitution of the amino acid Proline for the amino acid Threonine at position 9 of the native molecule. Similar modifications denoted by the single amino acid code followed by a molecule position number and the substituting amino acid are contemplated by the present invention (see Figure 9) . The present inventors have found that there are certain portions of the polypeptides of the present invention that must be maintained and cannot be modified. More specifically, deletion of certain amino acids from the native chemokines and the antagonists of the present invention will result in a loss of receptor binding capability. For example, deleting the disulfide bridge in MCP- 3 or MCP- 3 analogs (i.e. the cysteines at positions 12 and 52) will result in conformational changes and will preclude receptor binding. Similar results have been 1 discovered in RANTES (i.e. deletion of cysteine 11 and 50) and MlP-lα (i.e. deletion of cysteine 12 and 51).

The inventors have also discovered that extensive substitutions may be made to the C- terminal region of e.g. MCP-3 of residues 23-76 without significant loss of MCP- 3 receptor binding. However, it is preferred that amino acids 13-22 of an MCP-3 analog are the same as in the native MCP- 3.

The analogs are synthesized using art 0 recognized techniques in peptide chemistry. For example, they may be synthesized by adding one amino acid at a time to an amino acid or peptide. The amino acids or peptide contain the appropriate protecting groups on the side chains and on the N-terminal 5 portions thereof. The first amino acid containing the appropriate protecting group on the N- terminus and the side chain is coupled to a second amino acid having a protecting group on the side chain and the C- terminal end in the presence of a peptide coupling reagent, o such as DCC to form the resulting peptide.

Preferably, the C- terminal end is bound to a resin so that the peptide is built from the C- terminal end to the N-terminal end thereof. After the peptide is formed, another Nα-protected amino acid having side 5 chain protection is coupled to the peptide formed previously. This process is continued until the desired peptide is formed; then the protecting groups are removed by art recognized techniques and the peptide is removed from the resin by art -recognized _Q techniques.

5 An exemplary procedure for polypeptide synthesis of the compounds of the present invention is as follows. The analogs are preferably synthesized using tBoc chemistry on a peptide synthesizer and purified using reverse phase HPLC. The synthesis is started with a protected C- terminal amino acid linked to a cross -linked polystyrene resin via a 4- (carboxamidomethyl) benzyl ester linkage (the so- called pam resin) (0.4 mmol of 0.8 mmol/g of aminoacyl resin). Nα-t-Boc acids with appropriate side chain protecting groups are added in a stepwise fashion until the entire protected polypeptide chain is formed. The groups utilized for side chain protection are those commonly used in this art. Examples include: benzyl (Asp, Gly, Ser and Thr); 4- methylbenzyl (Cys); toluenesulfenyl (Arg); 2- chlorobenzyloxycarbonyl (Lys) ; 2- bromobenzyloxycarbonyl (Tyr) ; formyl (Trp) ; benzyloxy ethyl (His) ; and none (Ala, Asn, Gly, Gin, lie, Leu, Met, Phe, Pro, Val) . Samples may be taken after each step to retrospectively monitor the amino acid coupling yields using a ninhydrin-based reaction following the procedures of Sarin, et al . (1981) Anal . Biochem. 117 ;147-157. The resin is dried and cleaved using the "lo -high" hydrogen fluoride method as described by Tarn, et al . (1984) J. Am. Chem. Soc . 105 :6442 -6485 (the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference) , except for the following modifications: after the 25% hydrogen fluoride step, the partially protected peptide resin is filtered from the reaction mixture by using an all -Teflon filtration apparatus fitted with a Zitex filter and washed with dichloromethane and dried before the high 90% hydrogen fluoride step. The ethyl acetate precipitate of the material released from the resin is dissolved in 50 ml of 6 M guanidine hydrochloride, 0.1 M Tris- acetate, pH 8.5, and 10% 2 -mercaptoethanol . This mixture is the crude peptide product.

Alternately, histidine may be protected with p-benzyloxymethyl instead of dinitrophenyl . The p- benzyloxymethyl group is acid labile, thus eliminating the need for thiolysis of the dinitrophenyl group before and after hydrogen fluoride deprotection. Acetylation is carried out on the N« deprotected, but otherwise fully protected peptide resin, using acetic anhydride (50%) in dimethylformamide. The crude peptide product may be purified and folded by art recognized techniques. The following protocol is exemplary: three different C-18 silica HPLC columns may be used in the purification and analysis of the peptide, including a preparative column (22.4 x 250 mm column with a 22.4 x 100 mm guard column) packing with 12 μm, 300 -A pore size packing (Dynamax, Rainin Instrument Co., Woburn, MA); a semipreparative column (10 x 250 mm) Vydac C018 column, with 5-μm particle, 300-A pore-size packing (Separations Group, Hesperia, CA) ; and an analytical column (4.6 x 250 mm) (Vydac) containing the same packing. The crude peptide product is first acidified to pH 4.0 with 20% acetic acid and filtered. The crude peptide product is then loaded onto the preparative column and the retained material eluted with a 0-60% water- acetonitrile gradient in 0.1% trifluoracetic acid over 4 hours at a flow rate of 15 ml/min. A sample (25 μl ) of fractions containing 225- nm UV- absorbing material is rerun on the analytical column and by comparison with the profile of the crude material, fractions containing the major peak are pooled and lyophilized.

To fold the protein, the material is reconstituted in 1 M guanidine hydrochloride and Tris- acetate, pH 8.5 , in 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at a concentration of 0.2 mg/ml and stirred overnight in a covered beaker. MlP-lα is folded as above in the absence of DMSO. MlP-lα (10-70) and MlP-lα (11-70) are folded in 10% DMSO in water. This procedure promotes formation of the disulfide bridges by oxidation of the appropriate half -cysteines . The materials are acidified with 2 ml of acetic acid, and half is loaded onto the semipreparative column and the retained material is eluted with the same gradient as described above at a flow rate of 3 ml/min. Samples °f each fraction are run on the analytical column.

Fractions containing only material with the retention time of the major peak in the folded material are pooled and lyophilized.

An assay for free sulfhydryls using Ellman reagents, as described by Clark-Lewis, et al . (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA £5_: 7897 - 7902 , may be used to determine the extent of folding. In addition, folding may be monitored on the analytical HPLC column by observing the appearance of a peak corresponding to the folded form that has a retention time approximately 3 minutes earlier than the reduced form. Analog purity may be assessed on an analytical HPLC column or by other means such as isoelectric focusing. An exemplary protocol for isoelectric focusing is as follows. Mini polyacrylamide gels (Pharmacia PHAST gels, IEF 3-9; Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden) are washed in 8 M urea and then in 8 M urea containing pH 9-11 Ampholytes (Pharmacia) , for 30 minutes each, either with or without 10 μM dithiothreitol . Gels are prerun for 15 V-h at 200-V, 2.0-mA, 3.0-mW maximum settings, and the samples are loaded and run for 410 V-h at 1000-V, 5.0- mA, 3.0-mW maximum settings on the Pharmacia PHAST systems for a total of 500 -V with maximum settings of 2.0-mW, 5.0-mA and 1000-V. The pH gradient may be determined by using a surface pH electrode. The gels may be stained with silver by using the PHAST developing systems as described in the Pharmacia manual . Sequencing of analogs may be determined by protein sequencing, for example by using the following protocol . Protein sequences are determined by Ed an degradations using either solid-phase or gas -liquid- phase methods. For solid-phase sequence analysis, reduced and carboxymethylated protein or proteolytic cleavage fragments are coupled to arylamine- functionalized poly (vinylidenedifluoride) membranes (Sequelon AA; Milligen/Biosearch, Burlington, MA) using the water-soluble carbodiimide 1- ethyl -3-3 [3- (dimethylamino) propyl] carbodiimide hydrochloride and sequenced in a Milligen/Biosearch Model 6600 sequencer 1 using standard protocols. For gas- liquid-phase sequence analysis, polypeptides may be applied to Polybrene- coated glass fibre disks and sequenced in an Applied Biosystems Model 477 protein sequencer using standard protocols. Sequencing of protected peptide resins may be carried out on Nα-deprotected samples by using the same methods. N-terminal solid-phase sequencing runs usually reveal a major portion of the sequence. The remaining sequence is obtained by runs 0 of the HPLC -fractionated fragments, derived either by proteolytic cleavage with Asp -N-endoprotease (Boehringer Mannheim Canada, Laval, Quebec) or by chemical cleavage, through preferential hydrolysis of the Asp- Pro peptide bond in dilute formic acid. 5 Molecular weight of the synthetic proteins prepared as described above are determined by art- recognized techniques, such as electrospray mass spectrometry on a SCIEX triple quadruple Mass Spectrometer equipped with a liquid delivery o apparatus. The molecular mass from the peaks corresponding to the charge to mass ratios of the different multiple ionized species of the protein can also be analyzed as described by Convey, et al . (1988) Rapid Co mun. Mass. Snectrom. 2:249-256. 5 The chemokine analogs of this invention may also be prepared through recombinant means, with expression in mammalian or non-mammalian systems. Portions of a DNA sequence encoding, e.g., MCP-3, are appropriately modified to produce the desired analog _Q when the DNA sequence is expressed. Methods and

5 protocols for preparation and expression of such recombinant DNA are known in the art, including the protocol described by Masure, et al . (1995) J. Interferon Cvtokine Res. 15_:955-963 used for production of mutant MCP- 3 proteins, incorporated herein by reference.

In accordance with the present invention, the inventors have discovered that, in contrast to the full-length native forms, the analogs of the present invention were antagonists to the corresponding native molecules. Moreover, they lacked detectable chemoattractant activity for the receptor carrying cells. For example, RANTES (9-68), MCP-3 (10-76) and MlP-lα (10-70) lacked detectable chemoattractant activity for human THP-1 monocytic cells. RANTES (6- 68), (7-68), (8-68) and (10-68) also lacked chemoattractant activity for T- cells, monocytes, NK cells, basophils and eosinophils. MCP-3 (8-76), (9-76) and (11-76) also lacked activity for human CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, NK cells, eosinophils and basophils. MlP-lα similarly lacked chemoattractant activity for monocytes and human T- cells.

In accordance with the present invention, the inventors have observed certain regions within the native chemokines which are essential for their functional activities. Specifically, NH₂- terminal amino acid residues within the 1-5 region of native RANTES, residues within the 1-7 region of native MCP-3 and residues within the 1-9 region of native MlP-lα are critical for chemoattractant activity and receptor activation, for example. However, by truncating the 1-5 region of native RANTES, 1-7 region of native MCP- 1 3 and 1-9 region of native MlP-lα, the resulting molecules become antagonists to the native chemokines. The inventors have also discovered that the truncated chemokine analogs of the present invention act as antagonists to native, full-length chemokines and do not possess the chemoattractant activity. For example, RANTES ( -68) , MCP-3(10-76) and MlP-lα (10-70) inhibited the biological activity (e.g. chemoattractant activity and N-acetyl - β-D- 0 glucosaminidase release, elastase release and intracellular calcium mobilization) induced by the corresponding native forms.

In accordance with the present invention, the inventors have assessed the receptor-binding 5 specificity of the truncated analogs. The inventors have discovered significant cross -receptor binding among the identified chemokine analogs of the present invention. Thus, for example, unexpectedly, RANTES

(9-68) inhibited native RANTES, MCP-3, MCP-1 and MIP- o lα- induced chemotaxis and N-acetyl - β -D-glucosaminidase release and intracellular calcium mobilization.

The inventors also observed that MCP- 3 (9-

76) and MCP-3 (10-76) inhibited native MCP- 3 - induced,

RANTES -induced, MCP- 1- induced, calcium mobilization, monocyte N-acetyl- -D-glucosaminidase release and chemoattractant activity.

The inventors have further observed that

MlP-lα (10-70) inhibited native MIP- lα/β- induced and

RANTES -induced monocyte N-acetyl - β-D-glucosaminidase 0

5 release and chemoattractant activity and calcium mobilization.

The present inventors have determined that the polypeptides (analogs) of the present invention act as antagonists to the effects of native RANTES, MlP-lα and MCP- 3 in various tests, such as chemotaxis, calcium mobilization, receptor binding in THP-1 cells (a monocytic cell line) . Based upon these observations, the inventors concluded that the polypeptides of the present invention are useful in blocking the effects of native RANTES, MlP-lα and MCP- 3 molecules and thus are useful as therapeutic agents. A preferred use of the polypeptides of the present invention is in blocking the effects of RANTES, MlP-lα and MCP- 3 in the recruitment and/or activation of pro- inflammatory cells. Thus, the present invention has utility in the treatment of such inflammatory diseases as asthma, allergic rhinitis, colitis, psoriasis, atheromas, dermatitis and the like. In addition, the polypeptides are also useful in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, e.g., rheumatoid arthritis. For example, the inventors have observed that the analogs of the present invention (e.g. RANTES antagonists) are useful in treating autoimmune disorders (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis) in mammals. The inventors have determined that the analogs of the present invention prevent the onset of rheumatoid arthritis in MRL-lpr mice. The inventors have discovered that administration of e.g., RANTES (9-68) significantly inhibited the clinical incidence of adjuvant enhanced arthritis for 30 days in an autoimmune mouse model (MRL-lpr mice have lupus erythematous and rheumatoid arthritis similar to the corresponding human diseases) .

In another aspect of the present invention, methods for inhibiting the biological activity of native chemokines are provided which involve administering a therapeutically effective amount of a truncated analog of the present invention to a mammal to treat, e.g. inflammatory diseases and autoimmune diseases . In another aspect of the present invention, the NH₂- terminally truncated chemokine analogs of the present invention are administered in pharmaceutical compositions. The analogs of this invention may be administered as a nasal spray for upper respiratory treatments or as an aerosol inhaler for lung conditions. The analogs may also be used in topical applications. The analogs may also be administered via an osmotic pump or in a sustained release formulation. Alternatively, the analogs of the present invention may be delivered by injection. It is preferred that the injection is intramuscular or intraanal. However, the present invention also contemplates intradermal, intraperitoneal or intraarticular injections as well as long term continuous delivery via subcutaneous osmotic pump or sustained release formulations.

Other methods of in vivo and in vitro use of the chemokine analogs of the present invention will be readily apparent from the examples herein and the assays described above. The chemokine analogs of the present invention are present in the various pharmaceutical formulations described hereinabove in an "antagonistically effective amount" or "therapeutically effective" amount. "Antagonistically effective amount" or "therapeutically effective" 5 amount as used herein is defined as an amount of chemokine analog sufficient to significantly inhibit the biological activity of native chemokines but low enough to avoid serious side effects such as toxicity, for example (at a reasonable risk/benefit ratio) 0 within the sound medical/scientific judgment of the skilled artisan. However, it is preferred that the dose of the formulation contains between 0.01-1 mg/kg for a nasal spray and 0.1-10 mg/kg for other forms of delivery. It is most preferred that the formulation 5 contains between 0.01-0.1 mg/kg for a nasal spray and 0.1-1 mg/kg for other forms of delivery. The dosage schedule of the chemokine analogs will typically be determined (at a reasonable risk/benefit ratio) within the sound medical/scientific judgement of the skilled o artisan. However, it is preferred that the chemokine analogs are administered at least about 3 times per week. It is most preferred that the chemokine analogs are administered on a daily basis.

The exact dose of a chemokine analog of the 5 present invention to be used in a particular application may be determined by accepted pharmaceutical methods known to the skilled artisan. This is accomplished by conventionally measuring the concentration of analog in the blood and determining _Q the analog half -life. Without wishing to be bound, it

5 is believed that the analogs of the present invention have what would otherwise be an unexpectedly high half life for similar polypeptides due to molecular stability at body temperature and due to the high binding affinity to their receptors. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the analogs of the present invention additionally contain pharmaceutical vehicles, such as carriers and adjuvants described in the literature of pharmaceuticals and related fields. The analogs of the present invention are formulated by the skilled artisan, using art -recognized techniques, taking into consideration the nature of the polypeptide compounds and the desired mode of administration. The product of the present invention are soluble and are therefore readily formulated in physiological buffers, e.g. physiological saline.

The inventors have observed that unlike other chemokines, native human RANTES and MlP-lα form aggregates in physiological conditions (e.g. at about pH 7.2) at concentrations as low as 100 nM. This presents a significant hurdle to in vivo applications because therapeutic efficacy usually requires much higher concentrations of the active compounds (i.e., up to 2 mM) . However, the present inventors have surprisingly discovered that the truncated chemokine analogs of the present invention exhibit no aggregation at concentrations above about 1 μM. Therefore, the truncated chemokine analogs (e.g. RANTES and MlP-lα) of the present invention are highly soluble, and thus facilitate more in vivo applications than their native counterparts.

In addition, the chemokine analogs of the present invention can also formulated in sustained release delivery systems or topical formulations containing an aqueous component .

MCP- 3, RANTES and MlP-lα analogs of the present invention are assayed for biological activity by use of a cytosolic-free calcium assay, a chemotaxis assay using cells of monocytic origin, or by other conventional assays for MCP- 3, RANTES or MlP-lα activity including but not limited to: assays to determine exocytosis of leukocytes such as elastase release and N-acetyl - β-D-glucosaminidase release, superoxide production, histamine release, LTC₄ release and the like.

The invention will now be illustrated by means of the following non- limiting examples.

In the following example, analysis of cytosolic- free calcium was carried out using the following protocol. Cells (4 x 10⁵) are loaded with

12, 5 μg/ml Fluo-3AM or Fluo-2 in PBS saline with 0.38 mg/ml Pluronic F127 (Molecular Probes, Eugene, OR) at 37°C for 30 minutes. After washing with PBS, the cells were resuspended in 25 mM Hepes, 140 mM NaCl, 10 mM glucose, 1.8 mM CaCl₂, 1 mM MgCl₂, and 3 mM KC1, pH 7.3. The fluorescence was monitored at 7 second intervals over 150 seconds, after addition of test sample. Maximum Ca²⁺ levels were established using

Fluo-3.AM or Fluo-2 (Designated 100% saturation) for each set of measurements by addition of 5 μM lonomycin (Sigma Chemical Co., St. Louis, MO).

EXAMPLE 1

Representative polypeptides of the present invention were tested for their functional activity according to the procedure described hereinabove. The 5 results are as follows. In contrast to the full- length native forms, RANTES (9-68), MCP-3 (10-76) and MlP-lα (10-70) lacked detectable chemoattractant activity for human THP-1 monocytic cells (Figures 1A- 1C) . In addition, for human blood- derived monocytes, 0 neither chemotaxis nor N-acetyl - β-D-glucosaminidase release was detected up to 1 uM. RANTES (6-68), (7- 68), (8-68) and (10-68) as well as MCP-3 (8-76), (9- 76) and (11-76) also lacked chemoattractant activity (Figure IB) . MlP-lα (10-70) had only minor activity (about 3% of that of the corresponding native MlP-lα). MlP-lα (11-70) had no detectable activity. Thus, residues within the 1-5 region of native RANTES, 1-7 region of native MCP-3 and 1-9 region of native MlP-lα are essential for the functional activities of the o native chemokines. Truncation of these regions resulted in a complete loss of e.g. chemoattractant activity of the native chemokines.

5

0

5 E3CAMPLE 2

1

Inhibition of native MCP- 3, RANTES or MlP-lα mediated chemotaxis are determined by using the aforementioned chemotaxis assay. Constant amounts of 5 MCP- 3, RANTES or MlP-lα (e.g. 10 nM) are added to each well, and the analogs are titrated in the assay.

Cell preparations for use in the aforementioned assays consist of human monocytes, or monocytic cell lines such as the cell line THP-1. 0 THP-1 were obtained from American Type Culture

Collection (Rockville, MD) and may be, optionally, maintained in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 10% FCS.

Human monocytes were isolated from buffy coats of normal donor blood by the following protocol. A cell suspension was loaded onto Ficol1 -Hypaque (Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden) and centrifugated at 400 g for 25 minutes followed by density centrifugation on a discontinuous Percoll (Pharmacia) gradient at 500 g o f°^r 30 minutes. Cell fractions with a density of 1.051-1.053 (g/ml) were generally greater than 70% monocytes by morphology and were used in the assay.

RANTES (9-68), MCP-3 (10-76), MlP-lα (10-70) and MlP-lα (11-70) were tested for their antagonist 5 activities. All three inhibited the activity induced by the corresponding native forms (Figures 2A-2D). RANTES (9-68) fully blocked the chemoattractant activity of RANTES for THP-1 cells, and 41 nM was required to inhibit the agonist activity of 10 nM ₀ native RANTES by 50% (IC₅₀ = 41 nM) . Similar results

5 were obtained for migration of peripheral blood monocytes. The ability of RANTES (9-68) to inhibit chemokine- induced exocytosis from human blood monocytes was assessed by measuring the release of N- acetyl- β-D-glucosaminidase. A 10-fold lower concentration (IC₅₀ = 4 nM) of RANTES (9-68) was required to inhibit RANTES - induced enzyme release than was needed for similar inhibition of chemotaxis (Figure 3A) .

To test the specificity of the three truncated antagonists, their ability to inhibit the activities induced by RANTES, MCP- 3 and MlP-lα was examined (Figures 3A-3D) . The RANTES (9-68) analog completely inhibited both MCP-3 and MlP-lα induced chemotaxis and N-acetyl - β-D-glucosaminidase release. The respective IC₅₀ values were 200 nM and 126 nM for THP-1 cell chemotaxis and 170 nM and 20 nM for monocyte release activity (Figure 6). Thus RANTES (9- 68) inhibited all the chemokines, but it had the highest potency for RANTES.

MCP- 3 (10-76) was found to inhibit MCP-3 induced monocyte N-acetyl- β-D-glucosaminidase release with an IC₅₀ of 37 nM and also chemoattractant activity IC₅₀ 470 nM. Thus it was less potent than RANTES (9- 68) for RANTES -stimulated activities. However, MCP-3 (10-76) also inhibited RANTES - induced and MlP-lα- induced activities with similar effectiveness to its inhibition of MCP- 3 elicited function (Figure 3B) . Furthermore, MCP-3 (10-76) blocked enzyme release from monocytes. The IC₅₀ values for inhibiting both RANTES or MCP- 3 induced release were around 10 -fold lower than for chemotaxis of either THP-1 cells or monocytes. Another MCP-3 variant, MCP-3 (9-76), was 2-3 fold more potent than MCP- 3 (10-76) in all the inhibition assays.

MlP-lα (10-70) was found to inhibit MlP-lα or RANTES induced monocyte-N- acetyl - -D- glucosaminidase release with an IC₅₀ of 1 nM (Figures 3C-3D) . MlP-lα (10-70) was also found to inhibit monocyte/THP-1 cell migration. MlP-lα (11-70) also inhibited both chemoattractant activity and enzyme release of native MlP-lα and native RANTES with an IC₅₀ of 30 nM and 10 nM, respectively. Because MlP-lα antagonists did not inhibit MCP-3 activity, MlP-lα antagonists are relatively selective for MlP-lα and RANTES. Antagonists of native RANTES and native MCP-3 have relatively broad inhibitory spectra.

EXAMPLE 3

MCP- 3, RANTES or MlP-lα receptor binding are determined by the following protocol. MCP- 3 (10 μg) were labeled with monoiodinated Bolton-Hunter reagent (specific activity 2,200 Ci/mmol; DuPont, Wilmington, DB) at 4°C for 20 minutes, to provide specific activity of, e.g. ¹²⁵I-labeled MCP-3 of 150 Ci/mmol. RANTES and MlP-lα were labeled using lactoperoxidase. One mCi (3.7 MBq) of Na¹²⁵ (ICN Biomedicals, Irvine CA) and 1 μg of lactoperoxidase (80-150 units-mg¹, Sigma) were added to 5 μg of RANTES or MlP-lα in 50 μl of 0.5 M sodium acetate, pH 6.5 at room temperature for 3 min. Saturated tyrosine (150 μl) was added to stop the reaction, and the proteins were separated from the label by Sephadex G-25 chromatography. The specific activity of ¹²⁵I- labeled RANTES was 260 Ci-mmol^'1.

To determine the binding kinetics, monocytic cells (such as THP-1) at (5 x 10⁶ cells) in 200 μl of binding buffer (RPMI 1640, 0.5 mg/ml BSA, 50 mM Hepes and 0.01% Nal) were incubated with varying concentrations of ¹²⁵I-MCP-3 at 4°C for 30 minutes. The cells were pelleted through a mixture of diacetylphthalate and dibutylphthalate and radioactivity that is cell associated was counted (total binding) . Nonspecific binding was determined in the presence of a 100 -fold concentration of unlabeled ligand and subtracted from the total binding. Kinetic parameters (Kd and receptor number) were determined by Scatchard analysis. Competitive receptor binding by, e.g. MCP- 3, analogs is measured by carrying out the aforementioned receptor binding protocol wherein various concentrations of e.g. MCP- 3 analogs are added to the cells in the presence of e.g., 4 nM ¹²⁵I-MCP-3. Non- specific binding is subtracted from total binding and the result is expressed as a percent of maximum specific binding (See Figures 4A-4E and Figure 5) .

Competition binding studies were performed to determine if the observed antagonist properties correlated with their interaction with chemokine binding sites.

The RANTES (9-68) analog competed for binding of labeled RANTES. From this data, the dissociation constant (K_d) was calculated to be 19 nM, that is only about 4-5 fold of that of native RANTES binding affinity (4 nM) . Furthermore, RANTES (9-68) also displaced labeled MCP- 3 (K_d = 57 nM) . Although, as expected, native RANTES competed strongly for RANTES binding, its competition for labeled MCP- 3 was very weak and insufficient to derive a K_d value. Thus, truncation of RANTES resulted in a markedly increased affinity for MCP- 3 binding sites.

MCP-3 (10-76) competed for MCP-3 binding with a K_d of 57 nM and also competed for binding of both RANTES (K_d = 50 nM) and MlP-lα. The competition of the MCP- 3 (10-76) analog for labeled MCP-3 was only 2 -fold weaker than that of full-length MCP- 3. For RANTES receptors, MCP-3 and MCP-3 (10-76) had about the same affinity. The results indicate that MCP- 3 (10-76) had similar affinity for the binding sites of all three chemokines. Similar receptor binding affinity data were obtained with MCP- 3 (9-76) . MCP- 3 (8-76); MCP-3 (7-76) and MCP-3 (6-76) had lower receptor binding affinities than MCP- 3 (9-76) and MCP- 3 (10-76) . The MlP-lα (10-70) analog competed for binding of labeled MlP-lα with a Kd of 25 nM and also competed for binding of RANTES (Kd = 14 nM) and less for MCP-3 (Kd = 281 nM) . Native MlP-lα and MCP-lα (10-70) had about the same affinity for RANTES receptors. MlP-lα (11-70) competed only for RANTES and MlP-lα receptor binding. No competition for MCP- 3 was observed. Therefore MlP-lα (10-70) has higher inhibitory potency than MlP-lα (11-70).

A further assay that may be carried out to determine whether a non-chemotactic analog binds to, e.g. MCP- 3 receptors is to measure the ability of an analog to desensitize calcium mobilization by MCP-3. Following a first treatment with a MCP- 3 receptor ligand, the calcium response is temporally desensitized to a second treatment with a MCP- 3 receptor ligand. This is determined by carrying out the aforementioned cytosolic- free calcium assay with addition of a first ligand, followed by a second treatment after 60 seconds using either the same of a different ligand. A MCP- 3 antagonist will not of itself stimulate calcium induction but when used as the first ligand, will desensitize the cells to subsequent stimulation by MCP- 3. The following example illustrates the result. EXAMPLE 4

The truncated analogs RANTES (9-68) and MCP- 3 (10-76) were tested for their ability to inhibit the transient rise of [Ca²⁺] induced in monocytes by native RANTES and MCP- 3. In all cases the truncated analogs inhibited the [Ca²⁺] rise induced by the native chemokines. The most potent effect was observed with RANTES (9-68), which at 30 nM totally prevented the [Ca²⁺] changes induced by 10 nM RANTES. For inhibition of the responses to MCP- 3, markedly higher concentrations of the corresponding truncated analogs were required. At high concentration (1,000 nM) , all truncated analogs also attenuated or even prevented the [Ca²⁺] changes induced by the other chemokines. RANTES (9-68) markedly decreased the [Ca²⁺] induced by MCP- 3.

EXAMP E 5

Three month old MRL-lpr mice, both male and female were injected at two thoracic sites with complete Freunds Adjuvant (CFA) only once on day 0. On that same day RANTES (9 -68) was injected intraperitoneally. Injections of the RANTES analog were administered daily for 30 days at 2mg/kg/day. The mice were visually examined by (a double-blind observation) every five days for appearance of arthritis. An animal was scored as positive for arthritis if erythema and swelling of a fore or hind paw was observed. In addition ankle width of the hind legs were assessed. Histopathology of the lime joints were evaluated on day 30 post-adjuvant injection.

RESPIiTS :

Human RANTES (9 -68) was able to bind to the receptor on mouse peritoneal macrophages. Native human RANTES did not bind well to mouse peritoneal macrophages. Human RANTES (9-68) bound to mouse peritoneal cells with an affinity (Kd) of 21 nM which is similar to the binding affinity of RANTES (9-68) to human monocytes (Figure 8) . Daily i.p. injections of RANTES (9-68) inhibited the swelling and the incidence of arthritis in adjuvant treated mice. Treated mice exhibited insignificant swelling. In contrast, treatment with a control peptide had no inhibitory effect (Figures 9A Histopathological studies demonstrated that untreated control animals and animals administered a peptide control developed rheumatoid arthritis, substantial infiltration of mononuclear cells into the synovial tissue, extensive hyperplasia of the synovial lining, pannus formation and bone and cartilage damage. In contrast, animals treated with RANTES (9- 68) exhibited no invasive pannus, no bone or cartilage damage and insignificant inflammatory infiltration (Figure 10) . Treatment with human RANTES (9 -68) for 30 days was not toxic.

EXAMPLE 6

Three month old MRL-lpr mice, both male and female were injected at two thoracic sites with complete Freunds Adjuvant (CFA) only once on day 0. On that same day human MCP-3 antagonist MCP-3 (9-76) was injected intraperitoneally. Injections of the MCP- 3 analog were administered daily for 30 days at 3 mg/kg/day. The mice were visually examined (by a double-blind observation) every five days for appearance of arthritis. An animal was scored as positive for arthritis if erythema and swelling of a fore or hind paw was observed. In addition ankle width of the hind legs was assessed. Histopathology of the lime joints were evaluated on day 30 post- adjuvant injection.

BE≤IILϊS:

Human MCP-3 (9-76) was able to bind to the receptor on mouse monocytic cells (WEHl 265 cells) . Human MCP- 3 (9-76) did not bind well to mouse monocytes. Human MCP-3 (9-76) bound to mouse monocytic cells with an affinity (kd) of 57 nM which is four-fold lower than that for native MCP- 3 (kd 225 nM) (Figure 11) .

Daily i.p. injections of MCP-3 (9-76) inhibited the swelling and the incidence of arthritis in adjuvant treated mice. In contrast, treatment with a control peptide had no inhibiting effect (Figure 12). Treatment with human MCP-3 (9-76) for 30 days was not toxic.

Thus, in summary, in accordance with the present invention, the inventors have discovered that NH₂- terminally truncated analogs of native chemokines lack chemoattractant and other activities. The present inventors have also determined that the analogs of the present invention competitively bind to native chemokine receptors, thereby significantly inhibiting or even precluding binding by the corresponding native molecules. The inventors have also discovered a correlation between the bound analogs and their concomitant lack of biological activity. It has now been discovered by the present inventors that the analogs of the present invention are useful in treating inflammatory diseases and autoimmune diseases in mammals.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An analog of mammalian Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein- 3 (MCP- 3) lacking NH₂- terminal amino acids corresponding to amino acid residues 1-7, 1-8, 1-9 or 1-10 of MCP- 3, having about at least 80% homology to said MCP- 3 and having antagonist activity thereto.

2. The analog according to Claim 1, wherein said analog has at least 85% homology to MCP- 3.

3. The analog according to Claim 1, wherein said analog has at least 90% homology to MCP- 3.

4. The analog according to Claim 1, wherein said analog has at least 95% homology to MCP-1.

5. The analog according to Claim 1, wherein said analog comprises MCP- 3 (9-76) or a fragment thereof .

6. An analog of mammalian Regulated on Activation Normal T Cell Expressed and Secreted protein (RANTES) lacking NH₂- terminal amino acids corresponding to amino acid residues 1-5, 1-6, 1-7, 1-8, and 1-9 of RANTES, having about at least 60% homology to said RANTES and having antagonist activity to said RANTES.

7. The analog according to Claim 6, wherein 1 said analog comprises RANTES (9-68) or a fragment thereof .

8. The analog according to Claim 6, wherein 5 said analog comprises RANTES (6-68) or a fragment thereof .

9. The analog according to Claim 6, wherein said analog comprises RANTES (7-68) or a fragment 0 thereof .

10. The analog according to Claim 6, wherein said analog comprises RANTES (8-68) or a fragment thereof. 5

11. The analog according to Claim 6, wherein said analog comprises RANTES (10-68) or a fragment thereof.

o 12- An analog of mammalian Macrophage

Inflammatory Protein- lα (MlP-lα) lacking NH₂- terminal amino acids corresponding to amino acid residues 1-9 or 1-10, having about at least 60% homology to said MlP-lα and having antagonist activity to said MlP-lα. 5

13. The analog according to Claim 12, wherein said analog comprises MlP-lα (10-70) or a fragment thereof.

0

5

14. A method of inhibiting MCP- 3 biological activity in a mammal comprising administering to said mammal a therapeutically effective amount of an analog according to Claim 1, 6, or 12 for a time and under conditions sufficient to inhibit said biological activity.

15. A method of inhibiting RANTES biological activity in mammals comprising administering thereto a therapeutically effective amount of an analog according to Claims 1, 6, or 12 for a time and under conditions sufficient to inhibit said biological activity.

16. A method of inhibiting MlP-lα biological activity in mammals comprising administering thereto a therapeutically effective amount of an analog according to Claims 1, 6, or 12 for a time and under conditions sufficient to inhibit said biological activity.

17. A method of treating an inflammatory disease in a mammal comprising administering to a mammal in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an analog according to Claims 1, 6 or 12.

18. A method of treating an autoimmune disorder in a mammal comprising administering to a mammal in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an analog according to Claims 1, 6 or 12.

19. A method of treating rheumatoid arthritis in a mammal comprising administering to a mammal in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an analog according to Claim 1, 6 or 12.

20. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an antagonistically effective amount of an analog of Claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

21. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an antagonistically effective amount of an analog of

Claim 6 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

22. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an antagonistically effective amount of an analog of Claim 12 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.