Modulation of Cartilage Homeostasis By Active Domains of Cell Binding Extracellular Matrix Molecules

Abstract

A linear or cyclic peptide and the use of said peptide in medicine and especially in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of a disease associated with inflammatory mediated cartilage destruction. The minimal core sequence of the linear or cyclic peptide is WLEAK. Alternatives are WLEAR and WLDAK.

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         39 . A method for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of inflammatory mediated cartilage destruction in vivo, such as, e.g. an inflammatory joint disease such as, e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis of a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject in need thereof an effective amount of a compound as defined in any claims  40 - 46  or of a composition as claimed in  claim 48 .  
     
     
         40 . Use of a linear or cyclic peptide comprising the formula 1 
 WLEAK (SEQ. ID No. 1).    in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of a disease associated with inflammatory mediated cartilage destruction, including an inflammatory joint disease including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, juvenile chronic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), infectious arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis, other diseases involving joint structures including osteoarthritis, meniscal damage, gout, diseases affecting structural elements of the musculoskeletal system including tendon damage, ligament damage and bone disease such as, e.g., osteoporosis, diseases affecting major arteries including atherosclerosis.    
     
     
         41 . Use of a linear or cyclic peptide according to  claim 40 , wherein formula 1 is LRRWLEAK (SEQ. ID No. 2).  
     
     
         42 . Use of a linear or cyclic peptide according to  claim 40 , wherein formula 1 is QLRGLRRWLEAK (SEQ. ID. No. 3).  
     
     
         43 . Use of a linear or cyclic peptide according to  claim 40 , wherein formula 1 is QLRGLRRWLEAKAS (SEQ. ID. No. 11).  
     
     
         44 . Use of a linear or cyclic peptide according to  claim 40 , wherein formula 1 is CWLEAKC (SEQ. ID. No. 13).  
     
     
         45 . Use of a linear or cyclic peptide according to  claim 40 , wherein formula 1 is CQLRGLRRWLEAKASRPDATC (SEQ ID No. 9) or its protected form (SEQ ID No.12).  
     
     
         46 . Use of a linear or cyclic peptide according to  claim 40 , wherein formula 1 is CQLRGLRRWLEAKC (SEQ ID No. 14).  
     
     
         47 . A linear or cyclic peptide as defined in any of claims  40 - 46  for use in medicine.  
     
     
         48 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a linear or cyclic peptide as defined in any of claims  40 - 46  together with one or more adjuvants, carriers or excipients.