Small Peptides And Methods For Blocking IgE Mediated Activation Of An Immune Cell

Abstract

Methods for treating cutaneous inflammation, are described. Also described is a method for inhibiting the mucous release into airways of a patient, a method for blocking IgE activation of an immune cell, a method for stabilizing the cell membrane of an immune cell, thereby preventing their further involvement in the increased inflammatory response to an IgE antigen challenge, and a method for inhibiting the migration of T-cells. Such methods involve administering to said patient a therapeutically effective amount of a peptide having the formula f-Met-Leu-X, wherein X is selected from the group consisting of Tyr, Tyr-Phe, Phe-Phe and Phe-Tyr.

1 . A method for blocking IgE activation of an immune cell, the method comprising contacting said immune cell with an IgE activation blocking effective amount of a peptide or salt thereof, said peptide having the formula f-Met-Leu-X where X is at least one member selected from the group consisting of Tyr, Tyr-Phe (SEQ ID NO: 1), Phe-Phe (SEQ ID NO: 2) and Phe-Tyr (SEQ ID NO: 3). 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the immune cell is selected from the group consisting of lymphocyte, macrophage, monocyte, eosinophil, and neutrophil. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the immune cell is selected from the group consisting of mast cell and basophil. 
     
     
         4 . A method for regulating IgE production in a human, the method comprising administering to said human an IgE production inhibiting effective amount of a peptide or salt thereof, said peptide having the formula f-Met-Leu-X where X is at least one member selected from the group consisting of Tyr, Tyr-Phe (SEQ ID NO: 1), Phe-Phe (SEQ ID NO: 2) and Phe-Tyr (SEQ ID NO: 3).