Dynorphin a suppression of natural killer cell activity

摘要

This invention provides a method of suppressing the cytotoxic activity of mammalian Natural Killer (NK) cells. The method of this invention comprises administering to an individual in need of treatment a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence corresponding to dynorphin A or a dynorphin A analog, including amidated analogs, in an amount sufficient to suppress the cytotoxic activity of NK cells. This invention is particularly useful for those individuals undergoing gene therapy who are to be infected with a viral or viroid vector containing a therapeutic gene. This invention is also useful to aid recipients of transplanted tissue and for individuals suffering from autoimmune diseases.