Abstract: The HIV-1 envelope protein gp120 is toxic to rodent and human neurons by indirect mechanisms requiring accessory glial cells. Chemokines are known to block gp120 interactions with chemokine receptors on T cells, macrophanges, and microglia, thereby preventing viral infection. Gp120-induced neuronal killing in rat hippocampal cultures was partially or completely prevented by a specific short peptides related to chemokines, specially IKEYFTS (SEQ. ID NO: 2) and LESYT (SEQ. ID NO: 1). These peptides thus have use in the treatment of neurological degenerative diseases having symptoms associated with neuronal cell death.

Abstract: A method of treating inflammation in patients in need of such treatment by administering an effective amount of I-A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-II (General Formula), wherein A is Ala, Gly, Val, Ser, Thr or absent, B is Ala, Gly, Val, Ser, Thr, or absent, C is Ser, Thr or absent, D is Ser, Thr, Asn, Glu, Arg, Ile, Leu or absent, E is Ser, Thr, Asp or absent, F is Ser, Thr, Asp or absent, G is Tyr or absent, H is Thr, Arg, Gly, Met, Met(O), Cys, Thr, Gly or absent and I is Cys or absent II is Cys, an amide group, an ester group or absent. At least one of the amino acids optionally is substituted by a monomeric or polymeric carbohydrate or derivative thereof, such substitution being accomplished through hydroxyl and/or amino acid and/or amido groups of the amino acids, and wherein the peptide composes at least 4 amino acid residues, and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.