Abstract: A peptide is described, which consists of 7-17 adjacent amino acids and comprises the hexamer TX EX X E, wherein X, X and X can be any natural or non-natural amino acid, wherein the peptide has no TNF receptor binding activity and is cyclized, for the prevention and treatment of hyperpermeability of epithelial cells and endothelial cells.

Abstract: A protein selected from the amino acid sequence of the region valine Val(91) to glycine Gly(l21) of the mature human tumour necrosis factor, or a portion thereof, with the proviso that the protein comprises at least the amino acid sequence of the region lysine Lys(98) to glutamic acid Glu(116), with the cysteine Cys(101) being replaced by a glycine and an amide bond being formed between the amino group of the side chain of the lysine Lys(98) and the carboxyl group of the side chain of the glutamic acid Glu(116), which activates epithelial ion channels and improves the lung function and which can be used for the manufacture of medicaments for the treatment of diseases associated with the lung function, such as oedemas.

Abstract: A protein which is composed N-terminally of one or several C-terminal parts of the amino acid sequence of the mature tumour necrosis factor and C-terminally of one or several N-terminal parts of the amino acid sequence of the mature tumour necrosis factor, which activates epithelial ion channels and improves the lung function and which can be used for the manufacture of medicaments for the treatment of diseases associated with the lung function, such as oedemas.