The present invention relates to isolated and/or recombinant nucleic acids which
encode a mammalian (e.g., human) receptor protein designated C—C Chemokine
Receptor 3 (CKR-3) or Eos L2, and to proteins or polypeptides, referred to herein
as isolated, recombinant mammalian CKR-3 receptors. The invention further relates
to recombinant nucleic acid constructs, comprising a nucleic acid which encodes
a receptor protein of the present invention or a portion thereof; to host cells
comprising such constructs, useful for the production of recombinant CKR-3 receptors
or polypeptides; and to antibodies reactive with the receptors, which are useful
in research and diagnostic applications. Also provided are methods of use of the
nucleic acids, proteins, and host cells to identify ligands, inhibitors (e.g.,
antagonists) or promoters (agonists) of receptor function. Administration of a
compound which inhibits or promotes receptor function to an individual in need
of therapy provides a new approach to selective modulation of leukocyte function,
which is useful in a variety of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, or in the
treatment of infections. As a major leukocyte chemokine receptor present in leukocytes
such as eosinophils and lymphocytes, the receptor provides a key target for drug
screening and design.