The invention provides polypeptides containing alpha -MSH that can be used to treat diseases characterized by inflammation and/or autoimmunity. Also included in the invention are alpha -MSH analogs and nucleic acids encoding polypeptides containing alpha -MSH and alpha -MSH analogs optionally linked to heterologous sequences. Also included in the invention are methods of delivering alpha -MSH containing peptides, alpha -MSH analogs, an DNA encoding alpha -MSH and alpha -MSH analogs.
