Peptides having T cell helper activity.

摘要

Tetrapeptides having the formula R-Arg-X-Y-Z-R<1> and pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salts thereof, wherein R is H, lower alkyl, acetyl, formyl, or lower alkanoyl; X is D-Lys or Lys; Y is a D or L form of an amino acid selected from Ala, Asp, Glu, Gln, Asn, beta-Asp, Val or Ile; Z is Gly or a D or L form of an amino acid selected from Val, Ala, Leu or Ile; R<1> is OH or NR<2>R<3>, wherein R<2> and R<3> are H or a straight-chain or branched alkyl or alkenyl having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, optionally substituted with an aryl group or aryl substituted with either a halogen or a straight-chain or branched alkyl or alkenyl having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or wherein R<4> and R<5> together comprise a cyclic methylene group of 3 to 7 carbon atoms; provided that, when X is Lys and Z is Val, Y is other than Asp, Asn, Ala, beta-Asp or Glu; and provided that, when X is Lys, Y is other than Asp or beta-Asp, have T cell helper activity and can be used for regulating the immune system of a subject having an infection or for regulating a deficiency or excess of T cell function.