| abstract |
Peptides and peptide derivatives, and method of using the same in mammalian immune systems to suppress autoimmune responses, organ transplantation rejection responses, or neoplastic cell growth. The peptides are characterized by the formula A-X-(B-Y)n-C wherein X and Y are residues of amino acids or amino acid derivatives with positively charged side chains, e.g., Lys, Orn, Arg, His, D-Lys, D-Orn, D-Arg, or D-His, or D-enantiomers of any of these residues, A and C are any substituents that preserve or augment the immunoregulatory activity of the peptides, B is a residue of an amino acid or amino acid derivative that preserves or augments the immunoregulatory activity of the peptide, and n is 0 or 1. The activity of the subject peptides includes suppression of the proliferation of T-lymphocytes in in vitro systems that are analogous to mammalian in vivo disease conditions, regulation of tumor cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo, and reduction of autoimmune disease-associated lesions in vivo. The peptides have potential human therapeutic benefits related to the treatment of autoimmune, organ or graft rejection, neoplastic and other diseases. |