A PEPTIDE WITH ANTI-TRANSGLUTAMINASE ACTIVITY DECREASES LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE-INDUCED LUNG INFLAMMATION IN MICE

Octapepticle R2 (KVLDGQDP), which has anti-transglutaminas (TGase) activity, decreases inflammation in allergic conjunctivitis model in guinea pigs. The authors examined the effect of R2 on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lung injury in BA 1,131 c mice. R2 inhalation significantly decreased neutrophil count and cytokine mRNA expression in the lungs of LPS (25mg/kg)-treated mice (P <.05). It also showed a tendency for decreased tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-immuno-reactive protein in lung homogenates and significantly decreased, TNF-alpha-immunoreactive protein in the serum of LPS-injected mice (P <.05). These results indicate that TGase may be a new therapeutic target in LES-induced lung inflammation.