Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods for preventing and/or treating injury or degeneration of cochlear hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons by administering a neurturin neurotrophic factor protein product. The invention relates more specifically to methods for treating sensorineural hearing loss.

Abstract: This invention provides a peptide fragment of human von Willebrand Factor (vWF) and sub-fragment thereof isolated as enzymtic digestion products from naturally occurring human vWF, or isolated from synthetic peptide mixtures or isolated from lysates of organisms capable of producing recombinant human vWF. The fragments and sub-fragments are useful in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disorders by virtue of their ability to inhibit the binding of vWF to platelets, heparin and/or collagen.

Abstract: Compounds and compositions comprising fragments and synthetic analogs of human thrombospondin are provided together with methods for their use as thrombospondin-like agents.

Abstract: Compositions comprising peptide analogues of a CD4 epitope capable of interacting with a monoclonal antibody designated Leu3a or with the envelope glycoprotein (gp120) of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the peptide will consist of the amino acid sequence: ser-lys-leu-asn-asp-arg-ala-asp-ser-arg-arg-ser-leu-trp-asp. The invention also includes a series of peptides having one or more D-amino acid substitution that confer enhanced resistance to degradation in serum. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for using the peptides in therapeutic applications are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a synthetic senescent cell antigen comprised of purified peptides immunoreactive with antibodies to the naturally occurring antigen. Preferably, the synthetic senescent cell antigen comprises two peptides with the amino acid sequences SKLIKIFQDHPLQKTYN and LFKPPKYHPDVPYVKR, respectively. The antigen and peptides may be used in compositions, diagnostic kits, and methods for detecting or measuring antibodies to senescent cell antigen, studying cellular aging and autoimmune mechanisms, separating anions from a gas or liquid, or treating certain diseases.

Abstract: The R-(+) enantiomeric form of .+-. racemic 7-(2, 3-empoxypropoxy) actinomycin D (EPA) is provided which is effective in the therapeutic treatment of cancer. The analogue has the formula: ##STR1## wherein the P's are: ##STR2## The enantiomeric form is uniformly superior to other forms of the compound in treating malignant tumors.

Abstract: The invention is directed to novel CCK analogs wherein Tryptophan and/or Phenylalamine are substituted with a radical which provides enhanced appetite suppressant activity to the peptide.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases, chemically-induced irritation and inflammation, and other irritative or inflammatory conditions utilizing the peptide sequences Asp-Ser-Asp-Pro-Arg, Asp-Ser-Asn-Pro-Arg, or derivatives or salts thereof are disclosed.

Abstract: Erythropoietin (EPO) peptides and the use thereof for preparing epitope-specific anti-EPO antibodies are described. Also described are corresponding anti-EPO antibodies which take the form of polyclonal antibodies (antisera) or of monoclonal antibodies. These antibodies are suitable for purifying EPO, EPO derivatives or EPO peptides. The epitope-specific anti-EPO antibodies according to the invention can also be used for the detection of EPO and, in particular, for the epitope-specific detection of EPO. Additionally described are anti-idiotype antibodies which imitate a receptor region of EPO. Finally, pharmaceuticals which contain the said EPO peptides, anti-EPO antibodies or anti-idiotype antibodies, and diagnostic aids for the detection of EPO or of anti-EPO antibodies, are described.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel methods for inducing human ovulation by administering sequentially a plurality of recombinant FSH preparations, each of which have a distinguishable plasma half-life.

Abstract: A polypeptide having the following formula is provided: gly-val-lys-gly-asp-lys-gly-asn-pro-gly-trp-pro-gly-ala-pro which has the ability to promote cellular adhesion, spreading the motility, while remaining highly cell specific. Medical applications such as chemodiagnostic and chemotherapeutic devices are also provided.

Abstract: The invention releates to a polypeptide of formula IR.sup.1 --CO--A.sup.1 --A.sup.2 --A.sup.3 A.sup.3 --A.sup.4 --A.sup.5 --A.sup.6 --Qwherein each of the generic terms is disclosed in full in the specification and includesR.sup.1 is a 5- or 6-membered unsaturated heterocyclic ring which contains one, two or three nitrogen atoms, which ring may optionally bear one or two substituents; a.sup.1 is a direct link to A.sup.2 ; or is His or D-His; A.sup.2 is Trp or MeTrp; A.sup.3 is Ala or MeAla; A.sup.4 is Val; A.sup.5 is Gly or D-Ala; A.sup.6 is His or Lys(Z); and Q is a group of the formula --A.sup.7.R.sup.2 in which A.sup.7 is Leu or LeMeu and R.sup.2 is hydroxy, amino, (1-3C)alkylamino or (1-3C)alkoxy; or Q is (1-6C)alkoxy or (1-10C)alkylamino.The compounds possess antagonist properties against bombesin-like peptides and are of value in treatment of malignant disease in warm-blooded animals.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are peptides of the formulaY--R.sup.1 --R.sup.2 --R.sup.3 --R.sup.4 --R.sup.5 --R.sup.6 --Zwherein R.sup.1 to R.sup.5 are designated amino acid residues; R.sup.6 is Phe, homoPhe or an amino acid residue derived from 2-amino-3-cyclohexylpropionic acid, 2-amino-3-(4-(lower alkoxy)phenyl) propionic acid or 2-amino-3-(4-halophenyl)propionic acid; Y is Phe, desamino-Phe, (lower alkanoyl)-Phe, p-haloPhe, Tyr, desamino-Tyr or (lower alkanoyl)-Tyr, or Y is the decapeptide radical W--Val--R.sup.7 --Ser--R.sup.8 --R.sup.9 --Thr--Glu--R.sup.10 --Ser--Phe wherein W is hydrogen or lower alkanoyl and R.sup.7 to R.sup.10 are designated amino acids residues, or Y is a fragment of the decapeptide radical wherein from one to nine of the amino acid residues (i.e. Val to Ser) may be deleted serially from the amino terminus of the decapeptide radical; and Z is hydroxy, amino, lower alkylamino or di(lower alkyl)amino.

Abstract: A unique class of vasopressin analogue antagonists is provided which have the pharmacological property in-vivo to antagonize pressor (V.sub.1) and/or antidiuretic (V.sub.2) activities. The chemical modifications to the vasopressin 9 member chain sequence at the no. 1, 2, and 4 positions yield a class of potent analogue antagonists which may be employed therapeutically to treat hypertension, congestive heart failure, various edematous situations, and a variety of symptoms due to inappropriate vasopressin secretion.

Abstract: A treatment to alleviate the debilitating symptoms of motility disorders including the functional bowel diseases. Treatment of patients with analogs of GnRH significantly reduces or elmininates the symptoms of motility disorders, including bowel disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polypeptide of formula I:R.sup.1 -A.sup.1 -A.sup.2 -A.sup.3 -A.sup.3 -A.sup.4 -A.sup.5 -A.sup.6 -A.sup.7 -A.sup.9 -Qwherein each of the generic terms is disclosed in full in the specification and includes: R.sup.1 is (2-6C)alkanoyl or (1-4C)alkoxycarbonyl; A.sup.1 is a direct link to A.sup.2, or is Gly or Arg; A.sup.2 is a direct link to A.sup.3, or is Gly or Pro; A.sup.3 is a direct link to A.sup.4, or is Lys or Lys(Z); A.sup.4 is His or D-His; A.sup.5 is Trp or MeTrp; A.sup.6 is Ala or MeAla; A.sup.7 is Val or MeVal; A.sup.8 is Gly or Sar; A.sup.9 is His or MeHis; and Q is a group of the formula -A.sup.10.R.sup.2 in which A.sup.10 is Leu or D-Leu and R.sup.2 is hydroxy, amino, (1-3C)alkylamino or (1-3C)alkoxy; or Q is (1-6C)alkoxy or (1-10C)alkylamino; provided that when R.sup.1 is acetyl and -A.sup.4 -A.sup.5 -A.sup.6 -A.sup.7 -A.sup.8 -A.sup.9 -Q is -His-Trp-Ala-Val-Gly-His-Leu-NH.sub.2 then -A.sup.1 -A.sup.2 -A.sup.3 - is not a direct link to His.

Abstract: Peptides which inhibit the secretion of gonadotropins by the pituitary gland and inhibit the release of steroids by the gonads. Administration of an effective amount of such GnRH antagonists prevents ovulation of female mammalian eggs and/or the release of steroids by the gonads. These peptides may be used to treat steroid-dependent tumors, such as prostatic and mammary tumors. The peptides include cyclic, bicyclic and tricyclic analogs of the decapeptide GnRH, and preferably there are at least two covalent bonds between the residues in the 4- and 10-positions, the residues in the 5- and 8-positions and the residues in the 1- and 3-positions, respectively. Examples of such bonds include a disulfide linkage between Cys residues, an amide linkage between a side chain amino group and a side chain carboyxl group, a dicarba linkage between side-chain alkyl groups, and a carba linkage between a side-chain alkyl group and a side-chain sulfhydryl group.

Abstract: The invention concerns pharmaceutically useful trifluoromethyl ketone substituted di-, tri- and tetra-peptide derivatives of the formulae Ia, Ib, Ic set out hereinafter, and salts thereof, which are inhibitors of human leukocyte elastase. Also described herein are pharmaceutical compositions containing a peptide derivative and processes and intermediates for use in the manufacture of the peptide derivatives.

Abstract: Small cell lung carcinoma cells (SCLC) contain gastrin releasing peptide (GRP) receptors. The response of the cells to GRP is rapid growth. We have found a group of heptapeptides that act as GRP antagonists by blocking the binding of GRP to its receptor thereby inhibiting the growth of cells that are sensitive to the growth promoting acitivity of GRP.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical preparation is disclosed which is made up of a micelle or a vesicle each consisting of a cationic tenside with a monovalent ion and a hydrophobic cyclic or linear peptide, dispersed in a solvent whose pH value lies between pH 7-pH 8, the critical micellization concentration (cmc) lying in the range of 1.0.10.sup.-7 to 7.0.10.sup.-5 mol/liter. The preparations disclosed have in particular the advantage that by the increasing of the hydrophobicity of the alkyl or aryl chain or the radical at the N.sup.+ tenside both the membrane permeability is increased and furthermore the pharmaceutical active substance, in particular linear and cyclic tyrocidines (A-J), can be transferred actively into the cytosol. They thus act on the transciption level. In addition, linear and cyclic tyrocidines in particular have antiviral effects.