Human Ck.beta.-9 polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding such chemokine polypeptides and a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such Ck.beta.-9 polypeptides for the treatment of leukemia, tumors, chronic infections, autoimmune disease, fibrotic disorders, wound healing and psoriasis. Antagonists against such polypeptides and their use as a therapeutic to treat rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune and chronic inflammatory and infective diseases, allergic reactions, prostaglandin-independent fever and bone marrow failure are also disclosed. Diagnostic assays are also disclosed which detect the presence of mutations in the Ck.beta.-9 coding sequence and over-expression of the Ck.beta.-9 protein.