Abstract: Pharmaceutical or veterinary compositions, vaccine systems, methods, and kits for treating or protecting a subject from a condition using peptide-based adjuvants are provided. The peptide adjuvants comprise a peptide having a hydrophobic region, a turning region, and a hydrophilic region. The turning region comprises amino acid residues GSII (SEQ ID NO: 10). The peptide adjuvants can be used to immunopotentiate active agents by improving the immune response to the active agent.

Abstract: Oil-based adjuvant emulsions, immunogenic compositions, and methods of using the same to elicit immunological responses in a subject are provided. The oil-based adjuvants comprise a plant-derived surfactant, such as gum arabic, an aqueous component, and an oil. The adjuvant emulsions can be used to potentiate the immunological effects of active agents, including antigens derived from various pathogens and/or toxins. Immunogenic compositions comprising the adjuvant emulsions and various active agents are also provided, along with vaccine systems for therapeutic or prophylactic treatment of a subject using these adjuvants.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical or veterinary compositions, vaccine systems, methods, and kits for treating or protecting a subject from a condition using peptide-based adjuvants are provided. The peptide adjuvants comprise a peptide having a hydrophobic region, a turning region, and a hydrophilic region. The turning region comprises amino acid residues GSII (SEQ ID NO: 10). The peptide adjuvants can be used to immunopotentiate active agents by improving the immune response to the active agent.

Abstract: Human ?-defensins are inhibitors of interleukin-1? post transitional processing and release. Interleukin-1? is a key cytokine involved in the initiation and amplification of the inflammatory process, including the inflammation of diseases such as Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Particularly, human neutrophil defensin-1(HNP-1) produced mainly by neutrophils, and human ?-defensin 5(HD-5) produced by Paneth cells has been found to block interleukin-1? post transitional processing and release. Thus, a pharmaceutical composition and method for treating inflammation in the mammalian tissues is herein disclosed. The pharmaceutical composition is a therapeutic supplementation of a metabolic pathway to reduce inflammation comprising a human ?-defensins in a therapeutically effective amount or an amide, ester or salt thereof and a pharmaceutically effective carrier.

Abstract: Human ?-defensins are inhibitors of interleukin-1? post transitional processing and release. Interleukin-1? is a key cytokine involved in the initiation and amplification of the inflammatory process, including the inflammation of diseases such as Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Particularly, human neutrophil defensin-1(HNP-1) produced mainly by neutrophils, and human ?-defensin 5(HD-5) produced by Paneth cells has been found to block interleukin-1? post transitional processing and release. Thus, a pharmaceutical composition and method for treating inflammation in the mammalian tissues is herein disclosed. The pharmaceutical composition is a therapeutic supplementation of a metabolic pathway to reduce inflammation comprising a human ?-defensins in a therapeutically effective amount or an amide, ester or salt thereof and a pharmaceutically effective carrier.

Abstract: Methods of inhibiting leukocyte O2? production and attracting leuckocytes using specific peptides are disclosed. These peptides include the proline-arginine (PR)-rich antimicrobial peptide known as PR-39 and truncated analogs thereof. These peptides can be used as medicaments that fight infection by attracting leukocytes to a wound site, yet restrict tissue damage at the wound site caused by excessive oxygen radicals produced by these leukocytes.

Abstract: Methods of inhibiting leukocyte O2− production and attracting luekocytes using specific peptides are disclosed. Theses peptides include the proline-arginine (PR)-rich antimicrobial peptide known as PR-39 and truncated analogs thereof. These peptides can be used as medicaments that fight infection by attracting leukocytes to a wound site, yet restrict tissue damage at the wound site caused by excessive oxygen radicals produced by these leukocytes.

Abstract: Methods of inhibiting leukocyte O2− production and attracting leuckocytes using specific peptides are disclosed. These peptides include the proline-arginine (PR)-rich antimicrobial peptide known as PR-39 and truncated analogs thereof. These peptides can be used as medicaments that fight infection by attracting leukocytes to a wound site, yet restrict tissue damage at the wound site caused by excessive oxygen radicals produced by these leukocytes.

Abstract: Methods of inhibiting leukocyte O2− production and attracting leuckocytes using specific peptides are disclosed. These peptides include the proline-arginine (PR)-rich antimicrobial peptide known as PR-39 and truncated analogs thereof. These peptides can be used as medicaments that fight infection by attracting leukocytes to a wound site, yet restrict tissue damage at the wound site caused by excessive oxygen radicals produced by these leukocytes.

Abstract: An in vivo method of reducing reperfusion injury in a mammal resulting from reperfusion of a temporarily occluded blood vessel which comprises the steps of administering into the mammal's bloodstream an effective amount of a proline /arginine rich peptide such as PR-39 (SEQ ID NO: 1). The method has particular application in surgical procedures such as coronary bypass and organ transplantation surgery and where reperfusions occur subsequent to a spontaneous occlusion. Preferred peptides have up to about 50 amino acid residues with a plurality of --PXXP-- sequences.

Abstract: New antimicrobial truncated peptides are disclosed which are based upon a known peptide, PR-39 (SEQ ID NO: 1) but which contain a lesser number of amino acid residues yet still retain antimicrobial activity. The most preferred peptide compound is PR-26, SEQ ID NO: 2. The invention also relates to a method of inhibiting microbial growth by administering an effective amount of a peptide in accordance with the invention.