Cytomodulating lipophilic peptides for modulating immune system activity and inhibiting inflammation

Abstract

Novel oligopeptides comprising a sequence derived by a computer program are provided for use in inhibiting cytotoxic activity of lymphocytic cells, inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory responses associated with those cytokines, inhibiting the activity of heme-containing enzymes and delaying the onset of an autoimmune disease in a mammal at risk of developing the disease. By combining the subject compositions with mixtures of cells comprising lymphocytic cells and cells which would otherwise activate the lymphocytic cells, lysis of the target cells can be substantially inhibited. The oligopeptides may be joined to a wide variety of other groups or compounds for varying the activity of the subject compositions. The subject compositions may be administered by any convenient means to a host to inhibit lymphocytic attack on tissue, particularly involved with xenogeneic or allogeneic transplants or to inhibit the production of inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory responses associated therewith. The subject compositions may also be used in the inhibition of the activity of heme-containing enzymes.