Abstract: The invention relates to a method for activating regulatory t-cells (Treg-cells) of the human or animal body, comprising a step of bringing into contact the regulatory t-cells (Treg-cells) in a suitable liquid medium with one or a plurality of inhibitors of alanyl-amino peptidase (amino peptidase N; APN) and/or with one or a plurality of inhibitors of peptidases with the same substrate specificity to induce a suppressive effect of the regulatory t-cells (Treg-cells).

Abstract: Provided are combinations of inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DP IV) and of enzymes having the same substrate specificity (DP IV-analogous enzymatic activity) and inhibitors of alanyl aminopeptidase (aminopeptidase N, APN) and of enzymes having the same substrate specificity (APN-analogous enzymatic activity) and use of the same to obtain a more than additive to superadditive inhibition for the treatment of arteriosclerosis, for the treatment of allergic reactions of the type I according to the Gell and Coombs classification and for the treatment of dermatological diseases with follicular and epidermal hyperkeratoses and an enhanced proliferation of keratinocytes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the-inhibition of the DNA synthesis necessary for the proliferation of human sebaceous cells (sebocytes) by the isolated or joint effect of inhibitors of alanyl aminopeptidase (APN) and dipetidyl peptidase IV (DP IV) expressed by these cells. The DNA synthesis (proliferation) of human sebaceous cells is inhibited by the administration of the inhibitors of APN and/or of DP IV depending on the dose. Our invention shows that, for a therapy and for a prevention of dermatological diseases with sebaceous hyperproliferation and modified conditions of differentiation, the application of inhibitors of the above-mentioned enzymes and of corresponding pharmaceutical preparations and dosage forms thereof is suitable.

Abstract: The invention comprises a process wherein the DNA synthesis and, thus, the proliferation of mononuclear cells (MNZ) and of T cells as well is inhibited by the simultaneous and combined inhibition of the enzyme activity (I) of alanyl aminopeptidase and of dipeptidyl peptidase IV; (II) of dipeptidyl peptidase IV and of the angiotensin-converting enzyme; (III) of dipeptidyl peptidase IV and of prolyl oligopeptidase; and (IV) of dipeptidyl peptidase IV and of X-Pro-aminopeptidase to an extent which cannot be achieved by an application of a single one of said enzyme inhibitors, even at a higher dosage. Although the said inhibitors exercise an influence on the very same process finally, i.e. the DNA synthesis and, thus, the proliferation of immune cells, this effect is not complete and is not long lasting when a single inhibitor is applied.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of one inhibitor or of several inhibitors of alanyl aminopeptidases and/or of enzymes having a similar substrate specificity for the induction of the production of TGF-?1 and of the expression of TGF-?1 in and/or on Treg cells and relates to the use for preventing and/or treating autoimmune diseases, allergies, arteriosclerosis and for suppressing graft rejection reactions. The invention furthermore relates to uses, wherein peptide fragments of pathogenic autoantigens or synthetic analogs and/or specific antigenic components of pathogenic microorganisms are used in addition.

Abstract: Provided are combinations of inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DP IV) and of enzymes having the same substrate specificity (DP IV-analogous enzymatic activity) and inhibitors of alanyl aminopeptidase (aminopeptidase N, APN) and of enzymes having the same substrate specificity (APN-analogous enzymatic activity) and use of the same to obtain a more than additive to superadditive inhibition for the treatment of arteriosclerosis, for the treatment of allergic reactions of the type I according to the Gell and Coombs classification and for the treatment of dermatological diseases with follicular and epidermal hyperkeratoses and an enhanced proliferation of keratinocytes.

Abstract: Combination of inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DP IV) and enzymes having the same substrate specificity (DP IV-analogous enzymatic activity) and inhibitors of alanyl aminopeptidase (aminopeptidase N, APN) and of enzymes having the same substrate specificity (APN-analogous enzymatic activity) for a more than additive to superadditive inhibition for the treatment of arteriosclerosis, for the treatment of allergic reactions of the type I according to the Gell and Coombs classification and for the treatment of dermatological diseases with follicular and epidermal hyperkeratoses and an enhanced proliferation of keratinocytes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the inhibition of the DNA synthesis (essential for the proliferation) of human fibroblasts by a single or joint effect of inhibitors of alanyl aminopeptidase (APN) and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPIV) expressed by those cells. The DNA synthesis (proliferation) of human fibroblasts is inhibited, in a dose dependent manner, by an administration of inhibitors of APN or/and DPIV. The invention shows that the application of substances inhibiting the above enzymes or of compositions and administration forms thereof are well suitable for a therapy and a prevention of dermatological diseases associated with fibroblast hyperproliferation and changed fibroblast differentiation states.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of one inhibitor or of several inhibitors of alanyl aminopeptidases and/or of enzymes having a similar substrate specificity for the induction of the production of TGF-?1 and of the expression of TGF-?1 in and/or on Treg cells and relates to the use for preventing and/or treating autoimmune diseases, allergies, arteriosclerosis and for suppressing graft rejection reactions. The invention furthermore relates to uses, wherein peptide fragments of pathogenic autoantigens or synthetic analogs and/or specific antigenic components of pathogenic microorganisms are used in addition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the-inhibition of the DNA synthesis necessary for the proliferation of human sebaceous cells (sebocytes) by the isolated or joint effect of inhibitors of alanyl aminopeptidase (APN) and dipetidyl peptidase IV (DP IV) expressed by these cells. The DNA synthesis (proliferation) of human sebaceous cells is inhibited by the administration of the inhibitors of APN and/or of DP IV depending on the dose. Our invention shows that, for a therapy and for a prevention of dermatological diseases with sebaceous hyperproliferation and modified conditions of differentiation, the application of inhibitors of the above-mentioned enzymes and of corresponding pharmaceutical preparations and dosage forms thereof is suitable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to vital mammalian heart tissue cells maintained ex vivo while simulating physiological conditions, particularly vital mammalian heart tissue cells maintained ex vivo in a usual culture medium with the addition of a culture gas at a physiologically acceptable pH value, processes for their collection and for their cultivation as well as their use in model investigations of chemical, biological and/or physical influences on physiological or pathophysiological processes.

Abstract: The invention comprises a process wherein the DNA synthesis and, thus, the proliferation of mononuclear cells (MNZ) and of T cells as well is inhibited by the simultaneous and combined inhibition of the enzyme activity (I) of alanyl aminopeptidase and of dipeptidyl peptidase IV; (II) of dipeptidyl peptidase IV and of the angiotensin-converting enzyme; (III) of dipeptidyl peptidase IV and of prolyl oligopeptidase; and (IV) of dipeptidyl peptidase IV and of X-Pro-aminopeptidase to an extent which cannot be achieved by an application of a single one of said enzyme inhibitors, even at a higher dosage. Although the said inhibitors exercise an influence on the very same process finally, i.e. the DNA synthesis and, thus, the proliferation of immune cells, this effect is not complete and is not long lasting when a single inhibitor is applied.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process wherein, by a separate or simultaneous administration and effect of inhibitors of the enzymes alanyl aminopeptidase (APN) and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DP IV) or of enzymes having the same or a similar substrate specifity, the damage of cerebral tissue as a consequence of an ischemia or a cranial/cerebral trauma can be reduced or prevented.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DP IV) and of enzymes having the same substrate specifity (DP IV-analogous enzymatic activity) in combination with inhibitors of alanyl aminopeptidase (aminopeptidase N, APN) and of enzymes having the same substrate specifity (APN-analoguos enzymatic activity) for a more than additive to superadditive inhibition of the activation and proliferation (DNA synthesis) of human T lymphocytes and mononuclear cells and of the production of TH2 cytokines for a therapy and prevention of allergic reactions of the type I according to the Gell and Coombs classification and for a more than additive to super-additive inhibition of the activation, proliferation (DNA synthesis) of human epidermal and follicular keratinocytes and of keratinocytes of the transitional zone between the skin and the mucous membranes as well as for a therapy and prevention of dermatological diseases with follicular and epidermal hyperkeratoses and an enhanced prolife