Abstract: The present invention has found that a series of peptides having sequences that substantially correspond to specific regions of the C-terminus of IL-16 can inhibit the activity of IL-16. The present invention has demonstrated that such IL-16-inhibiting peptides can be as short as 4 amino acid in length. Based on these discoveries, the present invention provides IL-16 antagonist peptides and the use thereof for the treatment of IL-16 mediated disorders such as certain inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, novel IL-16 antagonists, preferably peptides derived from CD4, have been isolated and synthesized. These peptides possess IL-16 antagonistic properties including the ability to selectively bind to IL-16 and inhibit IL-16-mediated biological activity. The peptides comprise specific portions of the native human CD4 receptor and variations thereof and therefore are non-immunogenic when administered to humans. The present invention also provides compositions containing at least one IL-16 antagonist peptide which can inhibit, suppress or cause the cessation of at least one IL-16-mediated biological activity in mammals, including humans. The present invention provides a method and composition for treating inflammation associated with disease states such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and systemic lupus (SLE) in mammals such as, for example, humans.