Abstract: A method of identifying a polynucleotide or pattern of polynucleotides regulated by one or more sepsis or inflammatory inducing agents and inhibited by a peptide is described. A method of identifying a pattern of polynucleotide expression for inhibition of an inflammatory or septic response. The method includes contacting cells with LPS, LTA, CpG DNA and/or intact microbe or microbial components in the presence or absence of a cationic peptide; detecting a pattern of polynucleotide expression for the cells in the presence and absence of the peptide, wherein the pattern in the presence of the peptide represents inhibition of an inflammatory or septic response. Also included are compounds and agents identified by the methods of the invention. In another aspect, the invention provides methods and compounds for enhancing innate immunity in a subject.

Abstract: A class of cationic, polyphemusin-like peptides having antimicrobial activity is provided. Examples of such peptides include FRWCFRVCYKGRCRYKCR (SEQ ID NO:3), RRWCFRVCYKGFCRYKCR (SEQ ID NO:4), and RRWCFRVCYRGRFCYRKCR (SEQ ID NO:11). Also provided are methods for inhibiting the growth of microbes such as bacteria, yeast and viruses utilizing the peptides of the invention. The peptides are particularly useful for inhibiting endotoxemia in a subject.

Abstract: A novel class of cationic peptides having antimicrobial activity is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of identifying a polynucleotide or pattern of polynucleotides regulated by one or more sepsis or inflammatory inducing agents and inhibited by a peptide is described. A method of identifying a pattern of polynucleotide expression for inhibition of an inflammatory or septic response. The method includes contacting cells with LPS, LTA, CpG DNA and/or intact microbe or microbial components in the presence or absence of a cationic peptide; detecting a pattern of polynucleotide expression for the cells in the presence and absence of the peptide, wherein the pattern in the presence of the peptide represents inhibition of an inflammatory or septic response. Also included are compounds and agents identified by the methods of the invention. In another aspect, the invention provides methods and compounds for enhancing innate immunity in a subject.

Abstract: A novel class of cationic peptides having antimicrobial activity is provided. Examples of such peptides include NH2—KWKSFIKKLTTAVKKVLTTGLPALIS—COOH (SEQ ID NO: 1) and NH2—KWKSFIKKLTSAAKKVVTTAKPLISS—COOH (SEQ ID NO: 2). Also provided are methods for inhibiting the growth of bacteria utilizing the peptides of the invention. The peptides are particularly useful for inhibiting endotoxemia in a subject.

Abstract: A novel class of cationic peptides having antimicrobial activity is provided. Exemplary peptides of the invention include KWKSFIKKLTSAAKKVVTTAKPLALIS (SEQ ID NO:3) and KGWGSFFKKAAHVGKHVGKAALTHYL (SEQ ID NO:15). Also provided are methods for inhibiting the growth of bacteria utilizing the peptides of the invention. Such methods are useful for the treatment of respiratory infections, such as in cystic fibrosis patients. Such methods are further useful for accelerating wound healing.

Abstract: A class of cationic, polyphemusin-like peptides having antimicrobial activity is provided. Examples of such peptides include FRWCFRVCYKGRCRYKCR (SEQ ID NO: 3), RRWCFRVCYKGFCRYKCR (SEQ ID NO: 4), and RRWCFRVCYRGRFCYRKCR (SEQ ID NO: 11). Also provided are methods for inhibiting the growth of microbes such as bacteria, yeast and viruses utilizing the peptides of the invention. The peptides are particularly useful for inhibiting endotoxemia in a subject.

Abstract: A novel class of cationic peptides having antimicrobial activity is provided. Examples of such peptides include [NH2]kWKSFIKKLTTAVKKVLTTGLPALIS[COOH] (SEQ ID NO:1) and [NH2]KWKSFIKKLTSAAKKVVTTAKPLISS[COOH] (SEQ ID NO:2). Also provided are methods for inhibiting the growth of bacteria utilizing the peptides of the invention. The peptides are particularly useful for inhibiting endotoxemia in a subject.

Abstract: The invention concerns antimicrobial cyclic peptides and peptide analogs having relatively low hemolytic activity. Peptides of the invention are effective in killing and/or inhibiting growth of a number of microorganisms, including gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria, fungi and mycoplasma. Also disclosed are methods for inhibiting or killing such microorganisms, and therapeutic preparations for such inhibiting or killing.

Abstract: A class of cationic, polyphemusin-like peptides having antimicrobial activity is provided. Examples of such peptides include FRWCFRVCYKGRCRYKCR (SEQ ID NO:3), RRWCFRVCYKGFCRYKCR (SEQ ID NO:4), and RRWCFRVCYRGRFCYRKCR (SEQ ID NO:11). Also provided are methods for inhibiting the growth of microbes such as bacteria, yeast and viruses utilizing the peptides of the invention. The peptides are particularly useful for inhibiting endotoxemia in a subject.

Abstract: A novel class of cationic peptides having antimicrobial activity is provided. Examples of such peptides include NH2-KWKSFIKKLTTAVKKVLTTGLPALIS-COOH (SEQ ID NO:1) and NH2-KWKSFIKKLTSAAKKVVTTAKPLISS-COOH (SEQ ID NO:2). Also provided are methods for inhibiting the growth of bacteria utilizing the peptides of the invention. The peptides are particularly useful for inhibiting endotoxemia in a subject.

Abstract: A novel class of cationic peptides having antimicrobial activity is provided. Exemplary peptides of the invention include KWKSFIKKLTSAAKKVVTTAKPLALIS (SEQ ID NO: 3) and KGWGSFFKKAAHVGKHVGKAALTHYL (SEQ ID NO: 15). Also provided are methods for inhibiting the growth of bacteria utilizing the peptides of the invention. Such methods are useful for the treatment of respiratory infections, such as in cystic fibrosis patients. Such methods are further useful for accelerating wound healing.

Abstract: A novel class of cationic peptides having antimicrobial activity is disclosed. These peptides can be encompassed by the formulas: X1X1PX2X3X2P(X2X2P)nX2X3(X5)o; (SEQ ID NO: 23) X1X1PX2X3X4(X5)rPX2X3X3; (SEQ ID NO: 24) X1X1X3(PW)uX3X2X5X2X2X5X2(X5)o; and (SEQ ID NO: 25) X1X1X3X3X2P(X2X2P)nX2(X5)m; (SEQ ID NO: 26) wherein: m is 1 to 5; n is 1 or 2; o is 2 to 5; r is 0 to 8; u is 0 or 1; X1 is Isoleucine, Leucine, Valine, Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, Tryptophan or Methionine; X2 represents Tryptophan or Phenylalanine X3 represents Arginine or Lysine; X4 represents Tryptophan or Lysine; and X5 represents Phenylalanine, Tryptophan, Arginine, Lysine, or Proline. The invention also provides a method of producing a cationic peptide variant having antimicrobial activity.

Abstract: A novel class of cationic peptides having antimicrobial activity is provided. Exemplary peptides of the invention include RLARIVVIRVAR (SEQ ID NO:2) and RLSRIVVIRVCR (SEQ ID NO:3). Also provided are methods for inhibiting the growth of bacteria utilizing the peptides of the invention.

Abstract: A novel class of cationic peptides having antimicrobial activity is provided. Examples of such peptides include NH.sub.2 --KWKSFIKKLTTAVKKVLTTGLPALIS--COOH (SEQ ID NO:1) and NH.sub.2 --KWKSFIKKLTSAAKKVVTTAKPLISS--COOH (SEQ ID NO:2). Also provided are methods for inhibiting the growth of bacteria utilizing the peptides of the invention. The peptides are particularly useful for inhibiting endotoxemia in a subject.

Abstract: A novel class of cationic peptides having antimicrobial activity is provided. Examples of such peptides includeNH.sub.2 -KWKSFIKKLTTAVKKVLTTGLPALIS-COOH (SEQ ID NO:1)andNH.sub.2 -KWKSFIKKLTSAAKKVVTTAKPLISS-COOH. (SEQ ID NO:2)Also provided are methods for inhibiting the growth of bacteria utilizing the peptides of the invention. The peptides are particularly useful for inhibiting endotoxemia in a subject.

Abstract: A novel class of cationic peptides having antimicrobial activity is provided. Examples of such peptides include NH.sub.2 -KWKSFIKKLTTAVKKVLTTGLPALIS-COOH (SEQ ID NO:1) and NH.sub.2 -KWKSFIKKLTSAAKKVVTTAKPLISS-COOH (SEQ ID NO:2).

Abstract: A method for the microbial production of a cationic peptide having anti-microbial activity is provided, wherein the cationic peptide is first produced as a fusion protein having an anionic portion for suppressing the antimicrobial activity of the cationic portion. A novel cationic peptide having anti-microbial activity and LPS-binding activity is also provided. Such peptides are useful for suppressing the growth of bacteria and for the treatment of endotoxemia-associated disorders.

Abstract: Method for recombinant production of cationic peptides and a novel polycationic antibacterial peptide.

Abstract: A method for the microbial production of a cationic peptide having anti-microbial activity is provided, wherein the cationic peptide is first produced as a fusion protein having an anionic portion for suppressing the antimicrobial activity of the cationic portion. A novel cationic peptide having anti-microbial activity and LPS-binding activity is also provided. Such peptides are useful for suppressing the growth of bacteria and for the treatment of endotoxemia-associated disorders.