The invention relates to an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof
which binds to the CXC chemokine receptor Bonzo (also referred to as
STRL33, TYMSTR, HBMBU14 and CXCR6) and blocks the binding of a ligand
(e.g., SExCkine (also referred to as chemokine alpha-5 and CXCL16) to the
receptor. The invention also relates to a method of identifying agents
(molecules, compounds) which can bind to Bonzo and inhibit the binding of
a ligand (e.g., SExCkine) and/or modulate a function of Bonzo. The
invention relates to an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof
which binds to the CXC chemokine SExCkine (also referred to as chemokine
alpha-5) and inhibit binding of SExCkine to receptor (e.g., Bonzo). The
invention also relates to targeting molecules which contain a first
binding moiety which binds to mammalian Bonzo and a second binding moiety
which binds to a molecule expressed on the surface of a target cell. The
invention also relates to a method of promoting and/or effectuating the
interaction of a Bonzo.sup.+ cell and a target cell. The invention
further relates to a method of modulating a function of Bonzo, and to the
use of the antibodies, antigen-binding fragments, targeting molecules and
agents identified by the method of the invention in research,
therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic methods.