| abstract |
The present invention relates to peptides derived from known intermediate filaments which are capable of inducing cell death in metazoan cells, and/or stimulating pro- inflammatory cytokine secretion. The peptides consist of a first region of "n" amino acids, wherein "n" is 0 to 41 amino acids; a second region of 9 amino acids; wherein the sequence of 9 amino acids is [(a)/(b)]-[K/R]-[(a)/(b)]-[(a)/(b)/(c)/(d)]-[L]-[(e)]- [(a)/(b)/(c)]-[E]-[I] (SEQ ID NO: 1), wherein (a) is a nonpolar aliphatic amino acid, (b) is a polar uncharged amino acid, (c) is a positively charged amino acid, (d) is an aromatic amino acid, (e) is a negatively charged amino acid; and a third region of "m" amino acids, wherein "m" is 0 to 41 amino acids. The peptides of the invention have a minimum length of 9 amino acids and a maximum length of 50 amino acids. These peptides may be useful as new adjuvants in vaccines, either alone or in combination with other therapies; as well as chemotherapeutic agents, either alone or in combination with other drugs or therapies. |