Abstract
D-Amino acid substitutions in the anti-inflammatory/antipyretic Ac-α-MSH(11-13)-NH2 tripeptide of Ac-α-MSH(1-13)-NH2 were made and the altered peptides were injected in mice treated with picryl chloride. Ear swelling, measured 3 and 6 h after application of the irritant, was reduced by IP injections of Ac-α-MSH(11-13)-NH2, in confirmation of previous observations. Ac-[D-Lys11]α-MSH(11-13)-NH2 effected similar anti-inflammatory activity but Ac-[D-Pro12]α-MSH(11-13)-NH2 was inactive. Ac-[D-Val13]α-MSH(11-13)-NH2 and Ac-[D-Lys11,D-Val13]α-MSH(11-13)-NH2 generally had greater anti-inflammatory activity than the parent tripeptide molecule; the dose-response relations exhibited the bell-shaped characteristics seen previously with MSH peptides. The results indicate that the L-Pro12 is essential for the anti-inflammatory activity of Ac-α-MSH(11-13)-NH2 whereas the L-Lys11 is not. D-Val13 substitution increased anti-inflammatory activity approximately four-fold over Ac-α-MSH(11-13)-NH2. These results provide new structure-activity relationships of the anti-inflammatory Ac-α-MSH(11-13)-NH2 molecule. The data support the developing idea that α-MSH and its COOH-terminal fragments modulate host responses, perhaps by antagonizing the actions of cytokines.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 767-771 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Peptides |
Volume | 12 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1991 |
Keywords
- Inflammation
- Modulation of host responses
- Neuropeptide
- α-Melanocyte stimulating hormone
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry
- Endocrinology
- Physiology
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience