Neutrophil stimulating peptides

Abstract

The present invention provides peptides capable of stimulating neutrophils. In particular, the peptides prime neutrophils for a respiratory burst following treatment with N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine. The peptides have an amino acid sequence substantially corresponding to amino acids 54 to 94 of FIG. 1 or a part thereof. These peptides may also be used in the treatment of a subject having depressed neutrophil function.

Description

[0001] This is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No. 09/598,784 filed Jun. 21, 2000, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/714,960, filed on Sep. 17, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,121,237, which is a divisional of application Ser. No. 08/107,235, filed on Aug. 16, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,587,457, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/930,415 filed Nov. 9, 1992, now abandoned, which was the national phase filing of priority application PCT/AU91/00086, filed Mar. 12, 1991, published as WO 91/13908 on Sep. 19, 1991, which claimed priority to Australian patent application PJ 9065, filed Mar. 12, 1990, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by cross-reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to peptides having neutrophil stimulating activity, and to use of these peptides as therapeutic and diagnostic agents.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) was first identified as a factor found in the serum of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin treated mice which caused haemorrhagic regression of certain transplanted tumours and had cytolytic activity on several transformed cell lines in vitro (Carswell et al, PNAS 72, 3666-3670; Helson et al, 1975, Nature 258, 731-732). TNF, a product of activated macrophages, has subsequently been shown to be a primary mediator in the pathology of endotoxic shock (Tracey et al 1986, Science 234, 470-474). In addition to its pathological effects TNF also has a central role in host defences against viral, bacterial and parasitic pathogens.

[0004] The cellular targets of TNF important in host defence include neutrophils, eosinophils, monocyte/macrophages and lymphocytes. Within this context TNF is a major mediator of neutrophil activation. TNF stimulates enhanced phagocytosis (Shalaby et al 1985, J.Immunol., 135, 2069-2073), enhanced production of superoxide anions (Teujiimoto et al, 1986, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 137, 1094-1100), release of lysozyme and hydrogen peroxide and causes neutrophil degranulation (Klebanoff et al, 1986, J.Immunol., 136, 4220-4225). Neutrophils also show enhanced microbiocidal and tumouricidal activity when stimulated by TNF (Shalaby et al, 1985, J.Immunol., 135, 2069-2073; Djeu et al, 1986, J.Immunol., 137, 2980-2984; Blanchard et al, 1989, J.Leuk. Biol., 45, 538-545). It has been hypothesized that the cytostatic effect of TNF is mediated by high local concentrations of hydrogen peroxide produced by neutrophils (Shau 1986, J.Immunol., 141, 234-240).

[0005] TNF pretreatment enhances the response of neutrophils to N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine (F-met-leu-phe) and phorbol myristate acetate through specific receptors (Ferrante et al 1988, Int. Arch. Allergy Appl. Immunol., 86, 82-91). Neutrophils accumulate at sites of inflammation, caused in part by the increased expression of complement receptors by TNF (Berger et al 1988, Blood 71, 151-158). Further TNF causes neutrophil emigration into skin (Cybulsky et al 1988, J. Immunol. 140, 3144-3149).

[0006] Neutrophil function is known to be depressed in a number of viral, bacterial and parasitic infections (Abramson and Mills, 1988, Rev. Infect. Dis., 10, 326-341; Ferrante et al, 1989, Immunol. Letts., 22, 301-6). Depressed neutrophil function has, for example, been described in Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Thorsen et al, 1989, AIDS, 3, 651-653; Ellis et al, 1988, J. Infect. Dis., 158, 1268-1276; Murphy et al, 1988, J. Infect. Dis., 158, 627-630). Clearly TNF, which appears to play an important role in neutrophil activation both in vitro and in vivo as described above, given exogenously has the potential to overcome these neutrophil defects. The administration of TNF or indeed overproduction of TNF is, however, associated with severe side effects and the manifestation of pathology such as thrombocytopaenia, lymphocytopaenia, hepatotoxicity, renal impairment and hypertension.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present inventors have identified novel peptides derived from the primary amino acid sequence of human TNF which stimulate neutrophil activity. These peptides have indicated that the region of amino acids 54 to 94 of human TNF has previously undiscovered neutrophil stimulating activity. This observation has important clinical applications as treatment with such peptides would be expected to restore depressed or aberrant neutrophil activity, but would not be expected to cause the severe side effects associated with the therapeutic use of the whole TNF molecule.

[0008] The present invention provides a method of detecting a site of inflammation in a subject which method comprises administering to the subject a detectably labeled peptide, the peptide comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of LFKGQGCPSTHVLLTHTISRI (SEQ ID NO. 6), GLYLIYSQVLFKGQG (SEQ ID NO. 10), HVLLTHTISRIAVSYQTKVNLL (SEQ ID NO. 11), PSTHVLLTHTI (SEQ ID NO. 15), PSAHVLLTHTI (SEQ ID NO. 17), and PSTHVLITHTI (SEQ ID NO. 18); and detecting the labeled peptide.

[0009] The present invention provides a method of detecting a site of inflammation in a subject which method comprises administering to the subject a detectably labeled peptide, the peptide comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of LFKGQGCPSTHVLLTHTISRI, GLYLIYSQVLFKGQG, HVLLTHTISRIAVSYQTKVNLL, PSTHVLLTHTI, PSAHVLLTHTI and PSTHVLITHTI; and detecting the labeled peptide.

[0010] The present invention also provides a method of diagnosing a disease state selected from the group consisting of a bacterial infection, a fungal infection, a parasitic infection, a viral infection, Group B streptococcal disease, osteomyelitis, pneumonia, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, inflammatory bowel disease, atypical appendicitis, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, a granulomatous disease, respiratory distress syndrome, cystic fibrosis and rheumatoid arthritis, which method comprises administering to a subject a detectably labeled peptide, the peptide comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of LFKGQGCPSTHVLLTHTISRI (SEQ ID NO. 6), GLYLIYSQVLFKGQG (SEQ ID NO. 10), HVLLTHTISRIAVSYQTKVNLL (SEQ ID NO. 11), PSTHVLLTHTI (SEQ ID NO. 15), PSAHVLLTHTI (SEQ ID NO. 17), and PSTHVLITHTI (SEQ ID NO. 18); and detecting the labeled peptide.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention relates to a peptide which primes neutrophils for superoxide production and an enhanced respiratory burst following treatment with N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine, wherein the peptide is of the general formula:

X1-X2-X3-X4-X5-X6-X7

[0012] in which

[0013] X1 is null, Cys or R1

[0014] X2 is null, Cys, R1, or A1-A2-A3-A4-A5-A6-A7

[0015] in which

[0016] A1 is Leu, Ile, Val or Met

[0017] A2 is Phe, Tyr, Trp or His

[0018] A3 is Lys, Arg or His

[0019] A4 is Gly or Ala

[0020] A5 is Gln or Asn

[0021] A6 is Gly or Ala

[0022] A7 is Cys

[0023] X3 is Cys, R1 or A8-A9-A10

[0024] in which

[0025] A8 is Pro or N&agr;-alkylamino acid

[0026] A9 is Ser or Thr

[0027] A10 is Thr or Ser or Ala or Gly

[0028] X4 is A11-A12-A13-A14-A15-A16-A17-A18

[0029] in which

[0030] A11 is His, Lys or Arg

[0031] A12 is Val, Ile, Leu or Met

[0032] A13 is Leu, Ile Val or Met

[0033] A14 is Ile, Leu, Val or Met

[0034] A15 is Thr or Ser

[0035] A16 is His, Lys or Arg

[0036] A17 is Thr or Ser

[0037] A18 is 16, Leu, Val or Met

[0038] X5 is Cys, R2 or A19-A20-A21

[0039] in which

[0040] A19 is Ser or Thr

[0041] A20 is Arg, Lys or His

[0042] A21 is Ile, Leu, Val or Met

[0043] X6 is null, Cys, R2 or A22-A23-A24-A25-A26-A27-A28-A29-A30-A31-A32

[0044] in which

[0045] A22 is Ala or Gly

[0046] A23 is Val, Ile, Leu or Met

[0047] A24 is Ser or Thr

[0048] A25 is Tyr, Phe, Trp or His

[0049] A26 is Glu or Asp

[0050] A27 is Thr or Ser

[0051] A28 is Lys, Arg or His

[0052] A29 is Val, Ile, Leu or Met

[0053] A30 is Asn or Gln

[0054] A31 is Leu, Ile, Val or Met

[0055] A32 is Leu, Ile, Val or Met

[0056] X7 is null, Cys or R2

[0057] R1 is H or R—CO, where R is H, straight, branched or cyclic alkyl up to C20, optionally containing double bonds and/or substituted with halogen, nitro, amino, hydroxy, sulfo, phospho or carboxyl groups which may be substituted themselves or aralkyl or aryl optionally substituted as listed for the alkyl or R1 is glycosyl, nucleosyl or lipoyl and R1 is absent when the amino acid adjacent is an unsubstituted desamino-derivative;

[0058] R2 is -NR12R13, wherein R12 and R13 are independently H, straight, branched or cyclic alkyl, aralkyl or aryl optionally substituted as defined for R1 or R2 is N-glycosyl or N-lipoyl, or R2 is -OR14, where R14 is H straight, branched or cyclic alkyl, aralkyl or aryl, optionally substituted as defined for R1 or R2 is —O— glycosyl, or —O— lipoyl or R2 is absent when the adjacent amino acid is a dicarboxy derivative of cysteine or a homologue thereof or the peptide is in a N—C cyclic form, with the proviso that:

[0059] X1 is always and only null when X2 is R1, Cys or null

[0060] X2 is always and only null when X3 is R1 or Cys

[0061] X6 is always and only null when X5 is R2 or Cys

[0062] X7 is always and only null when X6 is R2 or Cys or null.

[0063] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention X1 is null, X2 is R1, X3 is A8-A9-A10, X5 is R2 and X6 and X7 are null. It is further preferred that A8 is Pro, A9 is Ser, A10 is Thr, A11 is His, A12 is Val, A13 is Leu, A14 is Leu, A15 is Thr, A16 is His, A17 is Thr and A18 is Ile, or A8 is Pro, A9 is Ser, A10 is Thr, A11 is His, A12 is Val, A13 is Leu, A14 is Ile, A15 is Thr, A16 is His, A17 is Thr and A18 is Ile, or A8 is Pro, A9 is Ser, A10 is Ala, All is His, A12 is Val, A13 is Leu, A14 is Leu, A15 is Thr, A16 is His, A17 is Thr and A18 is Ile.

[0064] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention X1 is R1, X2 is A1-A2-A3-A4-A5-A6-A7, X3 is A8-A9-A10, X5 is A19-A20-A21, X6 is R2 and X7 is null. It is further preferred that A1 is Leu, A2 is Phe, A3 is Lys, A4 is Gly, A5 is Gln, A6 is Gly, A7 is Cys, A8 is Pro, A9 is Ser, A10 is Thr, All is His A12 is Val, A13 is Leu, A14 is Leu, A15 is Thr, A16 is His, A17 is Thr, A18 is Ile, A19 is Ser, A20 is Arg and A21 is Ile.

[0065] In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention X1 and X2 are null, X3 is R1, X5 is A19-A20-A21, X6 is A22-A23-A24-A25-A26-A27-A28-A29-A30-A31-A32 and X7 is R2. It is further preferred that All is His, A12 is Val, A13 is Leu, A14 is Leu, A15 is Thr, A16 is His A17 is Thr, A18 is Ile, A19 is Ser, A20 is Arg, A21 is Ile, A22 is Ala, A23 is Val, A24 is Val, A25 is Ser, A26 is Tyr, A27 is Glu, A28 is Lys, A29 is Val, A30 is Asa, A31 is Leu and A32 is Leu.

[0066] In a second aspect the present invention consists in a peptide which primes neutrophils for superoxide production and an enhanced respiratory burst following treatment with N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine, wherein the peptide is of the general formula:

B1-Y1-Y2-Y3-Y4-Y5-Y6-Y7-Y8-Y9-Y10-Y11-Y12-Y13-Y14-Y15-B2

[0067] in which

[0068] Y1 is Gly or Ala

[0069] Y2 is Leu or Ile or Val or Met

[0070] Y3 is Tyr or Phe or Trp or His

[0071] Y4 is Leu or Ile or Val or Met

[0072] Y5 is Ile or Leu or Val or Met

[0073] Y6 is Tyr or Phe or Trp or His

[0074] Y7 is Ser or Thr

[0075] Y8 is Gln or Asn

[0076] Y9 is Val or Ile or Leu or Met

[0077] Y10 is Leu or Val or Ile or Met

[0078] Y11 is Phe or Tyr or Trp or His

[0079] Y12 is Lys or Arg or His

[0080] Y13 is Gly or Ala

[0081] Y14 is Asn or Gln

[0082] Y15 is Gly or Ala

[0083] B1 is H or R—CO, where R is H, straight, branched or cyclic alkyl up to C20, optionally containing double bonds and/or substituted with halogen, nitro, amino, hydroxy, sulfo, phospho or carboxyl groups (which may be substituted themselves or aralkyl or aryl optionally substituted as listed for the alkyl or B1 is glycosyl, nucleosyl or lipoyl and B1 is absent when the amino acid adjacent is an unsubstituted desamino-derivative;

[0084] B2 is -NR12R13, wherein R12 and R13 are independently H, straight, branched or cyclic alkyl, aralkyl or aryl optionally substituted or defined for B1 or B2 is N-glycosyl or N-lipoyl, or B2 is -OR14, where R14 is H straight, branched or cyclic alkyl, aralkyl or aryl, optionally substituted as defined for B1 or B2 is —O— glycosyl, or —O— lipoyl or B2 is absent when the adjacent amino acid is a dicarboxy derivative of cysteine or a homologue thereof or the peptide is in a N—C cyclic form.

[0085] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art from the description which follows the present inventors have demonstrated that the region of human TNF from amino acid 54 to amino acid 94 plays an important functional role in the stimulation of neutrophils. Further, the present inventors have produced 6 peptides namely peptides 304, 308, 309, 395, 418 and 419 (as referred to herein) which have neutrophil stimulating activity.

[0086] Armed with this information and with the aid of co-ordinates of the crystalline structure of TNF at 2.6 A as disclosed by Eck and Sprang, 1989 (J. Biol. Chem., 264: 18795-17605), the person skilled in the art will be able to design non-peptide structures which, in 3 dimensional terms mimic the peptides of the present invention. It is believed that these non-peptide structures will also mimic the physiological effects of the peptides of the present invention. It is intended that such non-peptide structures are included within the scope of the present invention. Changes to the TNF molecule in these regions using eg. site directed mutagenesis would also be expected to affect neutrophil activation. A schematic representation of the three dimensional structure of TNF&agr; is shown in FIG. 8.

[0087] Accordingly in a third aspect the present invention consists in a compound the three dimensional structure of which substantially corresponds to the three dimensional structure of the peptide of the first or second aspects of the present invention, the compound being characterized in that the compound is capable of eliciting superoxide production by neutrophils and of priming neutrophils for an enhanced respiratory burst following treatment with N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine.

[0088] In a further aspect, the present invention consists in a method of treating a subject having depressed neutrophil function, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutic amount of the peptide of the first aspect of the present invention.

[0089] In a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the present invention the subject is suffering from acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

[0090] Peptide 308 (SEQ ID NO. 10), through selective effects on neutrophil degranulation may be administered to individuals suffering from inflammatory syndromes e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, adult respiratory distress syndrome.

[0091] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a number of modifications may be made to the peptide of the present invention without deleteriously effecting the biological activity of the peptide. This may be achieved by various changes, such as insertions, deletions and substitutions (e.g., sulfation, phosphorylation, nitration, halogenation), either conservative or non-conservative (e.g., W-amino acids, desamino acids) in the peptide sequence where such changes do not substantially altering the overall biological activity of the peptide. By conservative substitutions the intended combinations are:

[0092] G, A; V, I, L, M; D, E; N, Q; S, T; K, R, H; F, Y, W, H; and P, N&agr;-alkylamino acids.

[0093] It may also be possible to add various groups to the peptide of the present invention to confer advantages such as increased potency or extended half-life in vivo, without substantially altering the overall biological activity of the peptide.

[0094] The term peptide is to be understood to embrace peptide bond replacements and/or peptide mimetics, i.e. pseudopeptides, as recognised in the art (see for example: Proceedings of the 20th European Peptide Symposium, edt. G. Jung. E. Bayer, pp. 289-336, and references therein), as well as salts and pharmaceutical preparations and/or formulations which render the bioactive peptide(s) particularly suitable for oral, topical, nasal spray, ocular pulmonary, I.V., subcutaneous, as the case may be, delivery. Such salts, formulations, amino acid replacements and pseudopeptide structures may be necessary and desirable to enhance the stability, formulation, deliverability (e.g., slow release, prodrugs), or to improve the economy of production, and they are acceptable, provided they do not negatively affect the required biological activity of the peptide.

[0095] Apart from substitutions, three particular forms of peptide mimetic and/or analogue structures of particular relevance when designating bioactive peptides, which have to bind to a receptor while risking the degradation by proteinases and peptidases in the blood, tissues and elsewhere, may be mentioned specifically, illustrated by the following examples: Firstly, the inversion of backbone chiral centres leading to D-amino acid residue structures may, particularly at the N-terminus, lead to enhanced stability for proteolytical degradation while not impairing activity. An example is given in the paper “Tritriated D-ala1-Peptide T Binding”, Smith, C. S. et al, Drug Development Res. 15, pp. 371-379 (1988). Secondly, cyclic structure for stability, such as N to C interchain imides and lactames (Ede et al in Smith and Rivier (Eds) “Peptides: Chemistry and Biology”, Escom, Leiden (1991), p268-270), and sometimes also receptor binding may be enhanced by forming cyclic analogues. An example of this is given in “Confirmationally restricted thymopentin-like compounds”, U.S. Pat. No. 4,457,489 (1985), Goldstein, G. et al. Finally, the introduction of ketomethylene, methylsulfide or retroinverse bonds to replace peptide bonds, i.e. the interchange of the CO and NH moieties may both greatly enhance stability and potency. An example of the latter type is given in the paper “Biologically active retroinverse analogues of thymopentin”, Sisto A. et al in Rivier, J. E. and Marshall, G. R. (eds.) “Peptides, Chemistry, Structure and Biology”, Escom, Leiden (1990), p.722-773.

[0096] The peptides of the invention can be synthesized by various methods which are known in principle, namely by chemical coupling methods (cf. Wunsch, E.: “Methoden der organischen Chemie”, Volume 15, Band 1+2, Synthese von Peptiden, Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart (1974), and Barrany, G.;

[0097] Merrifield, R. B: “The Peptides”, eds. E. Gross, J. Meienhofer., Volume 2, Chapter 1, pp. 1-284, Academic Press (1980)), or by enzymatic coupling methods (cf. Widmer, F., Johansen, J. T., Carlsberg Res. Commun., Volume 44, pp. 37-46 (1979), and Kullmann, W.: “Enzymatic Peptide Synthesis”, CRC Press Inc., Boca Raton, Florida (1987), and Widmer, F., Johansen, J. T. in “Synthetic Peptides in Biology and Medicine:, eds., Alitalo, K., Partanen, P., Vatieri, A., pp. 79-86, Elsevier, Amsterdam (1985)), or by a combination of chemical and enzymatic methods if this is advantageous for the process design and economy.

[0098] It will be seen that one of the alternatives embraced in the general formula set out above is for a cysteine residue to be positioned at both the amino and carboxy terminals of the peptide. This will enable the cyclisation of the peptide by the formation of di-sulphide bond.

[0099] It is intended that such modifications to the peptide of the present invention which do not result in a decrease in biological activity are within the scope of the present invention.

[0100] As would be recognized by those skilled in the art there are numerous examples to illustrate the ability of anti-idiotypic (anti-Ids) antibodies to an antigen to function like that antigen in its interaction with animal cells and components of cells. Thus, anti-Ids to a peptide hormone antigen can have hormone-like activity and interact specifically with the receptors to the hormone. Conversely, anti-Ids to a receptor can interact specifically with a mediator in the same way as the receptor does. (For a review of these properties see: Gaulton, G. N. and Greane, M. I. 1986. Idiotypic mimicry of biological receptors, Ann. Rev. Immunol. 4, 253-280; Sege, K and Peterson, P. A., 1978. Use of anti-idiotypic antibodies as cell surface receptor probes. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 75, 2443-2447).

[0101] As might be expected from this functional similarity of anti-Id and antigen, anti-Ids bearing the internal image of an antigen can induce immunity to such an antigen. (This nexus is reviewed in Hiernaux, J. R. 1988. Idiotypic vaccines and infectious diseases. Infect. Immun. 56, 1407-1413.)

[0102] As will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art from the disclosure of this application it will be possible to produce anti-idiotypic antibodies to the peptide of the present invention which will have similar biological activity. It is intended that such anti-idiotypic antibodies are included within the scope of the present invention.

[0103] Accordingly, in a fourth aspect the present invention consists in an anti-idiotypic antibody to the peptide of the first aspect of the present invention, the anti-idiotypic antibody being capable of inducing macrophage and/or neutrophil activation.

[0104] The individual specificity of antibodies resides in the structures of the peptide loops making up the Complementary Determining Regions (CDRs) of the variable domains of the antibodies. Since in general, the amino acid sequences of the CDR peptide loops of an anti-Id are not identical to or even similar to the amino acid sequence of the peptide antigen from which it was originally derived, it follows that peptides whose amino acid sequence is quite dissimilar, in certain contexts can take up a very similar three-dimensional structure. The concept of this type of peptide, termed a “functionally equivalent sequence” or mimotope by Geyson is familiar to those expert in the field. (Geyson, H. M. et al 1987. Strategies for epitope analysis using peptide synthesis. J. Immun. Methods. 102, 259-274).

[0105] Moreover, the three-dimensional structure and function of the biologically active peptides can be simulated by other compounds, some not even peptidic in nature, but which mimic the activity of such peptides. This field of science is summarised in a review by Goodman, M. (1990). (Synthesis, spectroscopy and computer simulations in peptide research. Proc. 11th American Peptide Symposium published in Peptides—Chemistry, Structure and Biology pp 3-29. Ed Rivier, J. E. and Marshall, G. R. Publisher ESCOM.)

[0106] As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, armed with the disclosure of this application, it will be possible to produce peptide and non-peptide compounds having the same three-dimensional structure as the peptide of the present invention. These “functionally equivalent structures” or “peptide mimics” will react with antibodies raised against the peptide of the present invention and may also be capable of stimulating macrophages and/or neutrophils. It is intended that such “peptide mimics” are included within the scope of the present invention.

[0107] Accordingly, in a fifth aspect the present invention consists in a compound the three-dimensional structure of which is similar as a pharmacophore to the three-dimensional structure of the peptide of the first aspect of the present invention, the compound being characterized in that it reacts with antibodies raised against the peptide of the first aspect of the present invention and that the compound is capable of activating macrophages and/or neutrophils.

[0108] More detail regarding pharmacophores can be found in Bolin et al. p 150, Polinsky et al. p 287, and Smith et al. p 485 in Smith and Rivier (Eds) “Peptides: Chemistry and Biology”, Escom, Leiden (1991).

[0109] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art the peptides of the present invention will bind to the TNF receptor. Accordingly, the peptides of the present invention can be used in assays for the presence of TNF receptor in samples. These samples may be either biological fluids or tissue sections. When used in this manner it is preferred that the peptides are labelled with a detectable label.

[0110] It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the peptides of the present invention bind to inflammatory cells (e.g. macrophages and neutrophils). The presence of large numbers of these inflammatory cells at a particular site is diagnostic of infectious and non-infectious inflammation.

[0111] Accordingly, in a sixth aspect the present invention consists in a method of detecting a site of inflammation in a subject which method comprises administering to the subject a detectably labeled peptide, the peptide comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of LFKGQGCPSTHVLLTHTISRI (SEQ ID NO. 6), GLYLIYSQVLFKGQG (SEQ ID NO. 10), HVLLTHTISRIAVSYQTKVNLL (SEQ ID NO. 11), PSTHVLLTHTI (SEQ ID NO. 15), PSAHVLLTHTI (SEQ ID NO. 17), and PSTHVLITHTI (SEQ ID NO. 18); and detecting the labeled peptide.

[0112] The phrase “site of inflammation” is used herein to denote conditions and their locations that occur in a subject due to tissue damage, regardless of the underlying cause or etiology. This tissue damage can result from microbial infection, autoimmune processes or mechanical trauma.

[0113] The site of inflammation may be in an internal structure such as in the brain, chest, abdomen, urogenital tract (e.g. prostate), gastrointestinal tract or joints.

[0114] There are many different labels and methods of labeling known to those skilled in the art. Examples of the types of labels that can be used in the present invention include radioactive isotopes, paramagnetic isotopes, and compounds that can be imaged by positron emission tomography (PET). Those skilled in the art will know of other suitable labels for the peptides of the present invention, or will be able to ascertain such using routine experimentation. Furthermore, the binding of these labels to the peptide can be done using standard techniques common to those skilled in the art.

[0115] In the context of the method of the sixth aspect, the labelled peptide may be administered by any suitable means. In one preferred embodiment, the administering is parenteral. Preferably, the parenteral administration comprises intradermal, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, or intravenous injection.

[0116] In a seventh aspect, the present invention comprises a method of diagnosing a disease state selected from the group consisting of a bacterial infection, a fungal infection, a parasitic infection, a viral infection, Group B streptococcal disease, osteomyelitis, pneumonia, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, inflammatory bowel disease, atypical appendicitis, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, a granulomatous disease, respiratory distress syndrome, cystic fibrosis and rheumatoid arthritis, which method comprises administering to a subject a detectably labeled peptide, the peptide comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of LFKGQGCPSTHVLLTHTISRI (SEQ ID NO. 6), GLYLIYSQVLFKGQG (SEQ ID NO. 10), HVLLTHTISRIAVSYQTKVNLL (SEQ ID NO. 11), PSTHVLLTHTI (SEQ ID NO. 15), PSAHVLLTHTI (SEQ ID NO. 17), and PSTHVLITHTI (SEQ ID NO. 18); and detecting the labeled peptide.

[0117] In addition to identifying and characterising sites of local inflammation, the method of the present invention can be used to monitor the course of inflammation in a subject. Thus, by measuring an increase or decrease in the size or number of inflammation sites, it is possible to determine whether a particular therapeutic regimen aimed at ameliorating the cause of inflammation, or directed to the inflammatory process itself, is effective.

[0118] It will be appreciated that the methods of the sixth and seventh aspects of the present invention are advantageous when compared to prior methods of imaging inflammation. Prior methods have involved the use of labeled white blood cells or labeled antibodies to identify and/or localize inflammation in vivo Use of white blood cells requires handling of blood (which represents hazards to both patient and medical personnel). Labeled antibodies tend to have long half lives which leads to elevated background in imaging diagnostic procedures. It is expected that the use of labeled peptides for detection and/or quantification of inflammatory sites in vivo will avoid or reduce these problems.

[0119] In order that the nature of the present invention may be more clearly understood, preferred forms thereof will now be described with reference to the following Examples and Figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0120] FIG. 1 shows the amino acid sequence of human TNF(SEQ ID NO. 1);

[0121] FIG. 2 shows the effects of peptides 304 (SEQ ID NO. 6) (0), 308 (SEQ ID NO. 10) ( ) and 309 (SEQ ID NO. 11) &Dgr;) on the fMLP induced human neutrophil response. Peptides were used at 100 &mgr;g/106 in the 20 min pre-incubation step,

[0122] FIG. 3 shows the kinetics of the chemiluminescence response elicited by Peptide 395 (SEQ ID NO. 15) (1 1 ; 395 (50 &mgr;g)+fMLP; n n; 395 (50 &mgr;g); HBSS+fMLP; 0 0 HBSS);

[0123] FIG. 4 shows stimulation of superoxide production by peptides 418 and 419 (SEQ ID NOs. 17 & 18);

[0124] FIG. 5 shows inhibition of in vitro growth of malarial parasites by neutrophils stimulated by either peptide 418 or peptide 419 (SEQ ID NOs. 17 & 18);

[0125] FIG. 6 shows the effect of peptide 419 (SEQ ID NO. 18) on granuloma formation in mice infected with Bacillus Calmette Geurin;

[0126] FIG. 7 shows that peptide does not induce the cell adhesion molecule ICAM or human umbilical vein endothelial cells; and

[0127] FIG. 8 is a representation of the TNF&agr; monomer showing the position of the neutrophil stimulating peptides.

[0128] Production of Human TNF Peptides Tested for Neutrophils Stimulatory Activity.

[0129] The following peptides were synthesised and are described using the I.U.P.A.C. one-letter code abbreviations for amino acid residues with the TNF sequence region indicated in brackets. 1 Peptide 275 A K P W Y E P I Y L (111-120) (SEQ ID NO. 2) Peptide 301 V R S S S R T P S D K P V A H V V A (1-18) (SEQ ID NO. 3) Peptide 302 L R D N Q L V V P S E G L Y L I (43-58) (SEQ ID NO. 4) Peptide 303 L S A I K S P C Q R E T P E G A (94-109) (SEQ ID NO. 5) Peptide 304 L F K G Q G C P S T H V L L T H T I S R I (63-83) (SEQ ID NO. 6) Peptide 305 L S A E I N R P D Y L D F A E S G Q V (132-150) (SEQ ID NO. 7) Peptide 306 V A H V V A N P Q A E G Q L (13-26) (SEQ ID NO. 8) Peptide 307 A E G Q L Q W L N R R A N A L L A N G (22-40) (SEQ ID NO. 9) Peptide 308 G L Y L I Y S Q V L F K G Q G (54-68) (SEQ ID NO. 10) Peptide 309 H V L L T H T I S R I A V S Y Q T K V N L L (73-94) (SEQ ID NO. 11) Peptide 323 T I S R I A V S Y Q T (79-89) (SEQ ID NO. 12) Peptide 393 L T H T I S R I A (76-84) (SEQ ID NO. 13) Peptide 394 S R I A V S Y Q T K V N L L (81-94) (SEQ ID NO. 14) Peptide 395 P S T H V L L T H T I (70-80) (SEQ ID NO. 15) Peptide 396 A V S Y Q T K V N L L (84-94) (SEQ ID NO. 16) Peptide 418 P S A H V L L T H T I (SEQ ID NO. 17) Peptide 419 P S T H V L I T H T I (SEQ ID NO. 18) Peptide 462 K G Q G Cys (Acm) P S T H V L L T H T (SEQ ID NO. 19)

[0130] These peptides were synthesised using the following general protocol.

[0131] All peptides were synthesised using the Fmoc-polyamide method of solid phase peptide synthesis (Atherton et al, 1978, J. Chem. Soc. Chem. Commun., 13, 537-539). The solid resin used was PepSyn KA which is a polydimethyacrylamide gel on kieselguhr support with 4-hydroxymethylphenoxyacetic acid as the functionalised linker (Atherton et al, 1975, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 97, 6584-6585).

[0132] The carboxy terminal amino acid is attached to the solid support by a DCC/DMAP-mediated symmetrical-anhydride esterification.

[0133] All Fmoc-groups are removed by piperidine/DMF wash and peptide bonds are formed either via pentafluorophenyl active esters or directly by BOP/NMM/HOBt (Castro's reagent) except for certain amino acids as specified in Table 1.

[0134] Side chain protection chosen for the amino acids are removed concomitantly during cleavage with the exception of Acm on cysteine which is left on after synthesis 2 TABLE 1 Amino acid Protecting group Coupling Method Arg Mtr or Pmc Either Asp OBut Either Cys Acm (permanent) Either Glu OBut Either His Boc OPfp only Lys Boc Either Ser But BOP only Thr But BOP only Tyr But Either Asn none OPfp only Gln none OPfp only

[0135] Cleavage and Purification

[0136] Peptide 302 (SEQ ID NO. 4). Peptide is cleaved from the resin with 95% TFA and 5% thioanisole (1.5 h) and purified on reverse phase C4 column. (Buffer A-0.1% aqueous TFA, Buffer B-80% ACN 20% A)

[0137] Peptide 304(SEQ ID NO. 6). Peptide is cleaved from the resin with 95% TFA and 5% phenol (5 h) and purified on reverse phase C4 column. (Buffer A-0.1% aqueous TFA, Buffer B-80% ACN 20% A).

[0138] Peptide 308(SEQ ID NO. 10). Peptide is cleaved from the resin with 95% TFA and 5% water (1.5 h) and purified on reverse phase C4 column. (Buffer A-0.1% aqueous TFA, Buffer B-80% ACN 20% A).

[0139] Peptide 309(SEQ ID NO. 11). Peptide is cleaved from the resin with 95% TFA and 5% thioanisole and purified on reverse phase C4 column. (Buffer A-0.1% aqueous TFA, Buffer B-80% ACN 20% A).

[0140] Effect of TNF Peptides on Neutrophil Function. Chemiluminescence Assay.

[0141] This assay examined the effect of TNF peptides on priming for a neutrophil F-met-leu-phe response as described by Ferrante et al, 1988, (Int. Arch. Allergy Appl. Immunol, 86, 82-91). Purified human neutrophils were pretreated with peptide for 20 minutes before the addition of f-met-leu-phe. The lucigenin dependent chemiluminescence response, which reflects superoxide production, was then measured. The results obtained are set out in Table 2 and are expressed as mV of lucigenin dependent chemiluminescence and represent the maximal cell activity attained.

[0142] In addition, the effects of peptide 304,308 and 309(SEQ ID NOs. 6, 10, 11) are shown graphically in FIG. 2.

[0143] This experiment was repeated with peptides 304, 308 and 309 (SEQ ID NOs. 6, 10, 11). The results obtained as shown in Table 3.

[0144] The experiment was also conducted using peptides 393, 394, 395 and 396 (SEQ ID NOs. 13, 14, 15, 16). Of these peptides only peptide 395 was able to stimulate the neutrophil respiratory burst (Table 4). The effect of peptide 395 (SEQ ID NO. 15) was dose dependent as shown by the results of 3 experiments (Table 5). The kinetics of the chemiluminescence response elicited by peptide 395 is shown in FIG. 3. Peptide 395 displays improved solubility over peptide 309. 3 TABLE 2 Concentration (&mgr;g/106 cells) Peptide 0 1 10 100 500 (SEQ. ID NO.) 275 (2) 1.02 0.99 0.69 0.43 0.80 301 (3) 0.34 0.93 0.74 0.55 1.10 302 (4) 0.37 0.16 0.18 0.29 303 (5) 0.37 0.23 0.17 0.22 304 (6) 0.37 0.18 0.43 2.56 2.76 305 (7) 0.37 0.27 0.36 0.24 306 (8) 0.37 0.27 0.35 0.23 307 (9) 0.37 0.35 0.37 0.42 323 (12)  0.37 0.23 0.17 0.47 308 (10)  0.37 0.91 4.80 49.52 309 (11)  0.37 0.38 0.98 13.44

[0145] Results are expressed as mV of lucigenin dependent chemiluminescence and represent peak of response i.e. the maximal cell activity attained. 4 TABLE 3 Peptide concentration (&mgr;g/106 cells) Peptide 0 10 100 304 (SEQ ID NO. 6) 0.04 0.36 0.64 304 + fMLP 0.71 0.91 6.97 308 (SEQ ID NO. 10) 0.04 1.00 11.76 308 + fMLP 0.42 2.74 28.56 309 (SEQ ID NO. 11) 0.04 0.31 0.69 309 + fMLP 0.42 2.46 12.84

[0146] 5 TABLE 4 Comparisons of 309 (SEQ. ID NO. 11) and its subpeptides on neutrophil respiratory burst Treatment Chemiluminescence (mV) (100 ug peptide) Diluent 0.58 309 (SEQ ID NO. 11) 4.70 393 (SEQ ID NO. 13) 0.31 394 (SEQ ID NO. 14) 0.33 395 (SEQ ID NO. 15) 5.32 396 (SEQ ID NO. 16) 0.70

[0147] 6 TABLE 5 Effect of 395 (SEQ ID. NO. 15) on neutrophil respiratory burst Chemiluminescence (mV) Treatment Exp. 1 Exp. 2 Exp. 3 Diluent 0.58 0.68 0.38 fMLP 1.53 3.53 1.96  1 &mgr;g 395 (SEQ ID NO. 15) 3.25 0.89 0.03  1 &mgr;g 395 + fMLP 3.36 4.55 0.29  10 &mgr;g 395 (SEQ ID NO. 15) 4.92 3.97 0.64  10 &mgr;g 395 + fMLP 7.31 9.10 2.34  50 &mgr;g 395 (SEQ ID NO. 15) 8.01 10.81  50 &mgr;g 395 + fMLP 12.58 22.09 100 &mgr;g 395 (SEQ ID NO. 15) 2.36 19.14 5.26 100 &mgr;g 395 + fMLP 5.29 18.10 10.59 100 &mgr;g 309 (SEQ ID NO. 11) 5.98 6.68 1.24 100 &mgr;g 309 + fMLP 27.44 22.77 6.69

[0148] Effect on Superoxide Formation

[0149] The effect of peptides 308 and 309 (SEQ ID NOs. 10 & 11) on superoxide formation was examined by the cytochrome reduction assay, according to the procedure of Ferrante, 1989 (Infection and Immunity), 57: 2115-2122). The results, expressed as n moles of O2/5×105 cells as set out in Table 6. 7 TABLE 6 Peptide concentration (&mgr;g/5 × 105 cells) Peptide 0 10 100 308 (SEQ ID NO. 10) 0.270 2.78 4.892 308 + fMLP 2.757 5.00 6.729 309 (SEQ ID NO. 11) 0.270 0.62 2.30 309 + fMLP 2.757 3.87 5.14

[0150] The effects of peptides 418 and 419 or superoxide formation were also assessed in a like manner and the results shown in FIG. 4.

[0151] Effect of TNF Peptides on the Ability of Neutrophils to Inhibit in Vitro Growth of Malaria Parasites

[0152] It is known that neutrophils stimulated by TNF are able to inhibit the in vitro growth of malaria parasites. The ability of neutrophils stimulated with peptides 418 and 419 (SEQ ID Nos. 17 & 18) to inhibit in vitro growth of malaria parasites was assessed.

[0153] Briefly, neutrophils were incubated with peptides 418 and 419 (SEQ ID NOs. 17 & 18) at 37° C. for 30 minutes and then washed with HBSS. The neutrophils were then added to a culture of red blood cells infected with P. falciparum. The cultures were then examined microscopically for evidence of parasite death.

[0154] The results obtained with thawed normal serum, normal serum and immune serum are shown in FIG. 5. As can be seen peptide 419 (SEQ ID NO. 18) is more effective than TNF.

[0155] BCG Experiment

[0156] Peptide 419 (SEQ ID NO. 18) was tested for the capacity to induce early activation of monocytes leading to reduced infective load and granuloma formation. C57BL/6(H2) in groups of six mice were infected with M. bovis (BCG), 107 cfu, by intraperitoneal injection. On days 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9, the mice receive by intravenous injection:

[0157] (a) Peptide 419 (SEQ ID NO. 18), 500 &mgr;g in 0.5 ml PBS,

[0158] (b) TNF, murine recombinant 104 units in 0.5 ml PBS (TNF at this concentration has been shown to be non-toxic in mice; Longermans et al Infection & Immunity, 1992, 60:5107-5112),

[0159] (c) Saline 0.5 ml.

[0160] At day 11 the mice were sacrificed for enumeration of the number of granulomas in the liver. The results are shown in FIG. 6.

[0161] These results are strongly indicative that peptide 419 (SEQ ID NO. 18) may have a therapeutic role in the treatment of granulomatous diseases.

[0162] Pseudomonas Experiment

[0163] Chronic lung infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) is common in cystic fibrosis. Although the disease is dominated by a chronic excess of neutrophils, in vitro studies (Ferrante et al. submitted) suggest that these cells may not be receptive to activation by TNF for antibacterial activity. The present inventors reasoned that pre-sensitising neutrophils with TNF intravascularly, prior to their entry into the lung, may overcome this problem. Since TNF would not be useful as a therapeutic agent if used in this manner, because of its toxic side effects such as intravascular coagulation, the 11-amino acid peptide 419 (SEQ ID NO. 18) which retains the neutrophil priming properties but lacks the toxicity of TNF was used. The ability of i.v.-injected 419 (SEQ ID NO. 18) to protect against chronic lung injury induced by Pseudomonas was tested. Chronic lung infections were established in 120 14 week female Swiss mice by introducing the bacteria suspended in agar beads (<200 &mgr;m diameter) into the lung. Mice were anaesthetised and

[0164] 30 &mgr;l of bead suspension introduced via a polyethylene cannula into the right bronchus through a small incision between the tracheal rings. After recover, animals (n=20) developed a chronic infection followed for at least 10-14 days. Control animals included: sham-operated (n=2); and those inoculated with sterile beads (n=6) or with beads containing fresh, heat-killed Pa (n=5). Eight of the 20 infected animals were treated with either the “419” (SEQ ID NO. 18) peptide (n=4) (or with saline carrier, (n=4), receiving 100 &mgr;l of 0.5 mg peptide (or carrier) by tail-vein injection, each day for 3 days from day 12. After sacrifice, lungs were perfusion-fixed with formalin and sections (masked to treatment type) were assessed histologically for the extent of inflammation. In this continuing study, chronically-infected animals showed extensive inflammatory reactions in the bronchi and the parenchyma. Control groups revealed negligible inflammation. The animals treated with peptide 419 (SEQ ID NO. 18) showed significantly less percentage peripheral consolidation (mean (0.25 (se 0.25)) than the carrier-treated animals (mean 5.25 (se 1.84) p<0.05 Mann-Whitney). These results suggest that the TNF-derived peptide “419” (SEQ ID NO. 18) may be beneficial in the treatment of chronic pseudomonal lung infection. Further, these results suggest that peptide 419 (SEQ ID NO. 18) may have a therapeutic role in the treatment of lung infection in patients suffering from cystic fibrosis or who are immuno-suppressed.

[0165] Effect of Peptide 419 (SEQ ID NO. 18) on Monocytes

[0166] Peptide 419 (SEQ ID NO. 18) was assayed for its ability to prime monocytes for a respiratory burst. This assay was conducted essentially as described above for neutrophils except that the cells were cultured for 24 hours prior to assay. The results are set out in Table 7. 8 TABLE 7 Peak mV Chemiluminescence 1 2 Mean ± S.D. + HBSS 1.72 1.46  1.59 ± 0.184 + fMLP 104 114.0 109.0 ± 7.071 + 419 (SEQ ID NO. 18) 2.42 4.35 3.385 ± 1.365 + 419 + fMLP 263.0 217.0  240.0 ± 32.527 + TNF 2.03 1.74 1.885 ± 0.206 + TNF + fMLP 104.0 163.0  133.5 ± 41.719 106 monocytes/tube/ml 50 U TNF 30 min pre-incubation at 37° C. Peptide 419 100 &mgr;g/106 monocytes - 30 mins pre-incubation at 37° C.

[0167] In Socher et al., 1987 (PNAS:84:8829-8833) a peptide having some similarity to the peptides of the present invention is disclosed. The disclosed peptide is a fragment of TNF from residues 65-79. This peptide was synthesized by the present applicant and is referred to herein as “peptide 462” (SEQ ID NO. 19).

[0168] Peptide 462 (SEQ ID NO. 19) was assayed for its ability to prime neutrophils for a respiratory burst in comparison with peptide 419 (SEQ ID NO. 18) using the protocol set out above. The results obtained are set out in Table 8A. 9 TABLE 8A Treatment Chemiluminescence mean + sem (mV) HBSS 4.1 ± 0.3 462 (SEQ ID NO. 19) (1 &mgr;g) 3.1 ± 0.5 462 (SEQ ID NO. 19) (10 &mgr;g) 4.8 ± 0.7 462 (SEQ ID NO. 19) (100 &mgr;g) 4.8 ± 0.5 419 (SEQ ID NO. 18) (100 &mgr;g) 18.6 ± 0.5 

[0169] It is clear from these results that whilst peptide 462 (SEQ ID NO. 19) may bear some superficial similarity to the peptides of the present invention it does not possess the biological activity of those peptides.

[0170] Induction of ICAM on Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC)

[0171] TNF is known to induce ICAM and it is thought that this activity contributes to its toxicity in vivo. Peptide 419 (SEQ ID NO. 18) was tested for its ability to induce ICAM using the following procedure.

[0172] Confluent HUVEC, grown in M199 supplemented with foetal calf serum, endothelial growth factor and heparin were treated with either TNF (100 units) or peptide 419 (SEQ ID NO. 18) (1 mg) for four hours at 37° C. The cells were then washed extensively with PBS containing Ca++ and Mg++ and fixed (100 ml 0.025% guteraldehyde, overnight, 4° C.). The cells were again washed, and incubated with anti-ICAM antibody (84H10) for 1 hr at room temperature. The cells were washed and incubated for a further 1 hr at room temperature in the presence of rabbit anti-mouse Ig-HRP. Surface expression of Icam was then quantitated using the ABTS substrate by absorption at OD405 nm.

[0173] The results of the assay on peptide 419 (SEQ ID NO. 18) are shown in FIG. 7. As can be seen peptide 419 (SEQ ID NO. 18) does not induce the cell adhesion molecule ICAM on human umbilical vein endothelial cells. This clearly suggests that peptide 419 (SEQ ID No. 18) would be less toxic in vivo than TNF.

[0174] Effect of TNF Peptides on Neutrophil Random Migration

[0175] Migration of cells is an important property by which cells reach infection sites. Their accumulation at these sites is also dependent on the capacity of inflammatory mediators to inhibit their migration out of the sites. The present inventors have examined TNF and peptide 304, 308 and 309 (SEQ ID NOs. 6, 10, 11) for their effect on the migration of neutrophils.

[0176] In these experiments neutrophils were pre-treated with the peptide or TNF and then examined their ability to migrate out of wells in agarose as described by Ferrante et al, 1988, (Arch. Allergy Appl. Immunol. 86:82-91). The results are shown in Table 8B. The results show that TNF was only partially migration inhibitory at 100 units/106 cells. Both peptides 308 (SEQ ID NO. 10) and 309 (SEQ ID NO. 11) were potent migration inhibitors, however, peptide 304 (SEQ ID NO. 6) was found to be chemokinetic (it stimulated cell migration). 10 TABLE 8B Inhibition of Migration &mgr;g/106 cells) Treatment 0 10 100 TNF ND ND  4% 304 (SEQ ID NO. 6)* −16% −43% −883%   308 (SEQ ID NO. 10) 0 0 100% 309 (SEQ ID NO. 11) 0 0 100% *Peptide 304 (SEQ ID NO. 6) was found to stimulate (chemokinetic)

[0177] Chemotactic Properties of TNF and Peptides

[0178] The chemotactic properties of TNF and peptides 304, 308 and 309 (SEQ ID NOs. 6, 10, 11) were examined using the following method:

[0179] 3 ml of molten 2% agarose was mixed with 3 ml of 2x concentrated medium 199 containing foetal calf serum (10%) and poured into Petri dishes. Sets of 3 wells of 2.5 mm diameter, each 3 mm apart, were cut in the agarose. 5 &mgr;l of neutrophils (2×105 cells) were added to the inner well, with chemotactic agent or control medium added to the outer wells. Migration at various time intervals was then measured.

[0180] The results of these experiments are shown in Table 9. 11 TABLE 9 Migration distance (mm) at 1.5 h 2.5 h Agent* (SEQ ID NO.) None Agent None Agent fMLP 0.50 1.46 0.66 2.45 TNF 0.50 0.48 0.66 0.69 304 (6) 0.48 0.47 0.68 0.72 308 (10) 0.50 0.66 0.63 1.41 309 (11) 0.50 0.53 0.63 0.68 *To the chemotactic well was added 5 ml of 1 × 10−7 MfMLP, of either peptide 304 (SEQ ID NO. 6); peptide 308 (SEQ ID NO. 10) and peptide 309 (SEQ ID NO. 11) or 103 U/ml of TNF&agr;

[0181] Effect of TNF Peptides on Neutrophil Degranulation

[0182] The conditions of measuring degranulation were as described by Ferrante A, 1989, (Infect and Immunity 57, 3110-3115). In these studies 100 &mgr;l of neutrophils (107/ml) were incubated for 20 min at 37° C. after which 10 &mgr;l of cytochalasin B was added. After 10 min incubation the volume of cell suspension was made up to 1 ml with Hanks Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS). The cell-free supernatants were collected and analysed for enzyme levels after a further incubation at 37° C. &bgr;-Glucuronidase activity was measured fluorimetrically by using 4-methylumbelliferyl-&bgr;-D-glucuronide as substrate. This involved incubating 50 &mgr;l of 2.5 mM substrate in 0.1 M citric acid-sodium phosphate buffer, pH 4.5, at 37° C. for 3 h. The reaction was stopped by adding 1.5 ml of 0.2 M glycine-sodium hydroxide buffer, pH 10.7 and the fluorescence of the liberated 4-methylumbelliferone was quantitated by using excitation and emission wavelengths of 336 and 446 nm, respectively. Vitamin B12 binding protein was measured using 57Co-vitamin B12. This assay is based on the principle that the binding protein binds to the 57Co-Vitamin B12 and as a result the radioactive vitamin B12 does not bind to charcoal. The resultant radioactivity in the supernatant can then be equated to the concentration of vitamin B12-binding protein in the sample. The results of these experiments are set out in Table 10 A and B.

[0183] Table 10 Effect of TNF Peptides on Neutrophil Degranulation 12 Neutrophils were treated with 100 &mgr;g/106 cells of 304, 305 or 308 (SEQ ID NOs. 6, 7, 10) ± fMLP (in the presence of CytoB). A. &bgr;-glucuronidase release (%) Treatment Exp. 1 Exp. 2 Exp. 3 Exp. 4 HBSS 3.63 1.84 2.72 6.23 HBSS + fMLP 23.62 41.41 40.19 27.54 304 (SEQ ID NO. 6) 3.63 3.14 2.52 9.82 304 + fMLP 26.95 36.43 35.34 36.65 Control peptide — — — 13.41 Control peptide + fMLP — — — 35.69 308 (SEQ ID NO. 10) 0.8 0.65 2.76 0.72 308 + fMLP 17.57 28.86 17.86 18.20 B. Vitamin B12 Binding Protein Treatment Exp. 1 Exp. 2 Exp. 3 Exp. 4 HBSS 9.21 9.27 9.67 4.80 HBSS + fMLP 28.85 27.91 45.31 27.33 304 (SEQ ID NO. 6) 11.40 10.82 13.06 8.42 304 + fMLP 43.76 35.60 59.15 37.12 Control peptide — — — 7.49 Control peptide + fMLP — — — 38.62 308 (SEQ ID NO. 10) 2.00 2.08 5.70 2.25 308 + fMLP 35.81 27.59 26.55 21.51

[0184] The effects of TNF&agr; peptides on stimulation of neutrophil respiratory burst, degranulation, migration inhibition, chemokinesis and chemotaxis were investigated. As can be seen from the results set out above only peptides 304, 308 and 309 (SEQ ID NOs. 6, 10, 11) were found to prime human neutrophils for the respiratory burst associated with f-met-leu-phe treatment, i.e. in a manner analogous to that of TNF&agr;. Together these peptides comprise the primary amino acids sequence region of amino acids 54 to 94 of human TNF&agr;. Peptide 308 (SEQ ID NO. 10) is a particularly potent primer of neutrophils in this assay.

[0185] It is to be noted, however, that peptide 323 (SEQ ID NO. 12) which has a sequence which corresponds to amino acids 79 to 89 of human TNF was not found to be capable of priming neutrophils for the respiratory burst associated with f-met-leu-phe treatment. The reason for the lack of neutrophil stimulating activity of this peptide has not as yet been elucidated, however, one hypothesis for the lack of activity of this peptide may be that peptide 323 (SEQ ID NO. 12) does not include the amino acid residues which bind to the TNF receptor on the neutrophils.

[0186] Peptides 308 and 309 (SEQ ID NOs. 10 & 11) have also been found to be potent inhibitors of neutrophil migration whilst peptide 304 (SEQ ID NO. 6) has been found to be chemokinetic. Peptide 308 (SEQ ID NO. 10) has also been found to be strongly chemotactic.

[0187] The effects of TNF peptides 304 and 308 (SEQ ID NOs. 6 & 10) on degranulation of neutrophils (Table 10) showed that peptide 308 (SEQ ID NO. 10) decreased the release of the contents of both the specific and the azurophilic granules as measured by the release of Vitamin B12 binding protein and &bgr;-glucuronidase release respectively. This effect of peptide 308 (SEQ ID NO. 10) was still apparent following stimulation with fMLP. In contrast, peptide 304 (SEQ ID NO. 6) had no effect on neutrophil degranulation in the absence of fMLP. In the presence of fMLP peptide 304 (SEQ ID NO. 6) enhanced release from specific granules but not azurophilic granules.

[0188] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

1. A method of detecting a site of inflammation in a subject which method comprises administering to the subject a detectably labeled peptide, the peptide comprising a sequence comprising GLYLIYSQVLFKGQG (SEQ ID No. 10) and detecting the labeled peptide.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the detectable label is selected from the group consisting of radioactive isotopes, paramagnetic isotopes, and compounds that can be imaged by positron emission tomography (PET).

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the inflammation is caused by an infection.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3 in which the infection is a bacterial infection.

5. A method as claimed in claim 3 in which the infection is a fungal infection.

6. A method as claimed in claim 3 in which the infection is a parasitic infection.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the site of inflammation is in the chest of the subject.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the site of inflammation is in the urogenital tract of the subject.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8 in which the site of inflammation is in the prostate.

10. A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the site of inflammation is in the gastrointestinal tract of the subject.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10 in which the site of inflammation is in the bowel.

12. A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the administering is parenteral.

13. A method as claimed in claim 12 in which the parenteral administration comprises intradermal, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, or intravenous injection.

14. (Amended) A method of diagnosing a disease state selected from the group consisting of a bacterial infection, a fungal infection, a parasitic infection, a viral infection, Group B streptococcal disease, osteomyelitis, pneumonia, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, inflammatory bowel disease, atypical appendicitis, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, a granulomatous disease, respiratory distress syndrome, cystic fibrosis and rheumatoid arthritis, which method comprises administering to a subject a detectably labeled peptide, the peptide comprising a sequence comprising GLYLIYSQVLFKGQG (SEQ ID No. 10) and detecting the labeled peptide.

15. A method as claimed in claim 14 in which the bacterial infection is a mycobacterial disease.

16. A method as claimed in claim 15 in which the mycobacterial disease is selected from the group consisting of tuberculosis, mycobacterium, avium complex and leprosy.

17. A method as claimed in claim 14 in which the parasitic infection is malaria.

18. A method as claimed in claim 14 in which the viral infection is selected from the group consisting of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, influenza and Haemophilus influenza infection.

19. A method as claimed in claim 14 in which the granulomatous disease is selected from the group consisting of Crohn's disease, sarcoidosis, syphilis, Lysteriosis, prostatitis, cystisis and chronic granluomatous disease.

20. A method as claimed in claim 14 in which the detectable label is selected from the group consisting of radioactive isotopes, paramagnetic isotopes, and compounds that can be imaged by positron emission tomography (PET).