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.