There is disclosed a novel genus of small peptides, much smaller than human TGF.alpha., was discovered as having TGF.alpha. biological activity and therefore are useful as pharmacologic agents for the same indications as full length TGF.alpha. polypeptide. There is further disclosed that TGF.alpha. and consequently the genus of small peptides disclosed herein, was found to have therapeutic activity to stimulate hematopoiesis in patients undergoing cytotoxic cancer chemotherapy and to act as a cytoprotective agent to protect a patient undergoing cancer cytotoxic therapy from gastrointestinal (GI) side effects, such as mucositis and otherwise support the barrier function of the GI tract when it is harmed by cytotoxic therapy.

Description of the Invention

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is based upon two basic discoveries that have not been reported before in the literature of TGF.alpha.. Firstly, a novel genus of small peptides, much smaller than (50 amino acid human) TGF.alpha., was discovered as having TGF.alpha. biological activity and therefore are useful as pharmacologic (therapeutic) agents for the same indications as full-length TGF.alpha. polypeptide (50 or 57 amino acids). Secondly, TGF.alpha. and the genus of smaller peptide fragments disclosed herein, were found to have therapeutic activity to stimulate hematopoiesis in patients undergoing cytotoxic cancer chemotherapy and to act as a cytoprotective agent to protect a patient undergoing cancer cytotoxic therapy from gastrointestinal (GI) side effects, such as mucositis and otherwise support the barrier function of the GI tract when it is harmed by cytotoxic therapy.

The present invention provides a compound that acts as a TGF.alpha. mimetic, comprising at least an 11-membered peptide compound from formula I: --X.sub.1a-Cys-His-Ser-X.sub.1b--X.sub.2--X.sub.1a--X.sub.1b--X.sub.1a- --X.sub.3Cys I [SEQ ID NO:4] wherein X.sub.1a and X.sub.1b are independently Val, Gly or Ala, wherein X.sub.2 is Tyr or Phe, wherein X.sub.3 is Arg or Lys, and wherein the two Cys residues form a disulfide bond to create an 11-amino acid loop peptide. Preferably, at least one or more of the following seven amino acids are added to the C terminus Cys moiety from formula II: --X.sub.4-His-X.sub.1c--X.sub.4--X.sub.5--X.sub.6--X.sub.1c II [SEQ ID NO:5] wherein X.sub.4 is Glu or Asp, wherein X.sub.5 is Leu or lie, and wherein X.sub.6 is Asp or Glu. Preferably, X.sub.1a is Val, X.sub.1b is Gly and X.sub.1c is Ala. Preferably, X.sub.2 is Tyr, and X.sub.3 is Arg. Most preferably, the loop peptide is 13 amino acids in length wherein X.sub.1a is Val, X.sub.1b is Gly, X.sub.1c is Ala, and X.sub.4 is Gly.

The present invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a loop peptide in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the loop peptide compound comprises at least an 11-membered peptide compound from formula I: --X.sub.1a-Cys-His-Ser-X.sub.1b--X.sub.2--X.sub.1a--X.sub.1b--X.sub.1a--X- .sub.3-Cys [SEQ ID NO:4] wherein X.sub.1a and X.sub.1b are independently Val, Gly or Ala, wherein X.sub.2 is Try or Phe, wherein X.sub.3 is Arg or Lys, and wherein the two Cys residues form a disulfide bond to create an 11-amino acid loop peptide. Preferably, at least one or more of the following seven amino acids are added to the C terminus Cys moiety from formula II: --X.sub.4-His-X.sub.1c--X.sub.4--X.sub.5--X.sub.6--X.sub.1c II [SEQ ID NO:5] wherein X.sub.4 is Glu or Asp, wherein X.sub.5 is Leu or Ile, and wherein X.sub.6 is Asp or Glu. Preferably, X.sub.1a is Val, X.sub.1b is Gly and X.sub.1c is Ala. Preferably, X.sub.2 is Tyr, and X.sub.3 is Arg. Most preferably, the loop peptide is 13 amino acids in length wherein X.sub.1a is Val, X.sub.1b is Gly, X.sub.1c is Ala, and X.sub.4 is Gly.

The present invention further provides a method for treating a neurodegenerative disease with a pharmaceutically active loop peptide or a pharmaceutically active TGF.alpha.57 polypeptide, wherein the loop peptide comprises at least an 11-membered peptide compound from formula I or a polypeptide from formula III, wherein formula I is: --X.sub.1a-Cys-His-Ser-X.sub.1b--X.sub.2--X.sub.1a--X.sub.1b--X.sub.1a--X- .sub.3-Cys I [SEQ ID NO:4] wherein X.sub.1a and X.sub.1b are independently Val, Gly or Ala, wherein X.sub.2 is Tyr or Phe, wherein X.sub.3 is Arg or Lys, and wherein the two Cys residues form a disulfide bond to create an 11-amino acid loop peptide; wherein formula III is: Loop peptide [SEQ ID NO:4] N-terminus-linker-cyclic C.sub.4H.sub.8N.sub.2-linker-Loop peptide [SEQ ID NO:41] N-terminus III wherein the linker moiety is designed to link the N-terminus of the Loop peptide to a nitrogen atom of the ring C.sub.4H.sub.8N.sub.2 and wherein the "loop peptide" comprises at least an 11-membered peptide compound from formula I [SEQ ID NO:4]; wherein X.sub.1a and X.sub.1b are independently Val, Gly or Ala, wherein X.sub.2 is Tyr or Phe, wherein X.sub.3 is Arg or Lys, and wherein the two Cys residues form a disulfide bond to create an 11-amino acid loop peptide; and wherein TGF.alpha.57 is a 57 amino acid polypeptide having the formula IV: Ser-Leu-Ser-Leu-Pro-Ala-Met-Human TGF.alpha.tm IV [SEQ ID NO:6] wherein human TGF.alpha. is a 50 amino acid polypeptide having the formula of SEQ ID NO:1. Preferably, at least one or more of the following seven amino acids are added to the C terminus Cys moiety from formula II: --X.sub.4-His-X.sub.1c-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6-X.sub.1c II [SEQ ID NO:5] wherein X.sub.4 is Glu or Asp, wherein X.sub.5 is Leu or Ile, and wherein X.sub.6 is Asp or Glu. Preferably, X.sub.1a is Val, X.sub.1b is Gly and X.sub.1c is Ala. Preferably, X.sub.2 is Tyr, and X.sub.3 is Arg. Most preferably, the ioop peptide is 13 amino acids in length wherein X.sub.1a is Val, X.sub.1b is Gly, X.sub.1c is Ala, and X.sub.4 is Gly.

The present invention further provides a method for treating a CNS disease or disorder, wherein the CNS disease or disorder is selected from the group consisting of CNS ischemia, spinal cord injury, MS, and retinal injury, comprising with a pharmaceutically active loop peptide or a TGF.alpha.57 polypeptide, wherein the ioop peptide comprises at least an 11-membered peptide compound from formula I: --X.sub.1a-Cys-His-Ser-X.sub.1b--X.sub.2--X.sub.1a--X.sub.1b--X.sub.1a--X- .sub.3-Cys I [SEQ ID NO:4] wherein X.sub.1a and X.sub.1b are independently Val, Gly or Ala, wherein X.sub.2 is Tyr or Phe, wherein X.sub.3 is Arg or Lys, and wherein the two Cys residues form a disulfide bond to create an 11-amino acid loop peptide; and wherein TGF.alpha.57 is a 57 amino acid polypeptide having the formula IV: Ser-Leu-Ser-Leu-Pro-Ala-Met-Human TGF.alpha. IV [SEQ ID NO:6] wherein human TGF.alpha. is a 50 amino acid polypeptide having the formula of SEQ ID NO:1. Preferably, at least one or more of the following seven amino acids are added to the C terminus Cys moiety from formula II: --X.sub.4-His-X.sub.1c--X.sub.4--X.sub.5--X.sub.6--X.sub.1c II [SEQ ID NO:5] wherein X.sub.4 is Glu or Asp, wherein X.sub.5 is Leu or Ile, and wherein X.sub.6 is Asp or Glu. Preferably, X.sub.1a is Val, X.sub.1b is Gly and X.sub.1c is Ala. Preferably, X.sub.2 is Tyr, and X.sub.3 is Arg. Most preferably, the loop peptide is 13 amino acids in length wherein X.sub.1a is Val, X.sub.1b is Gly, X.sub.1c is Ala, and X.sub.4 is Gly. Preferably, the invention further comprises administering a second hematopoietic growth factor agent to stimulate more mature hematopoietic precursor cells, wherein the second hematopoietic growth factor is selected from the group consisting of erythropoietin, thrombopoietin, G-CSF (granulocyte colony stimulating factor), and GM-CSF (granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor). Preferably, the invention further comprises administering stem cell factor (SCF) to augment CD34 positive progenitor cells.

The present invention further provides a method for enhancing hematopoiesis during cytotoxic or immune-suppressing therapy, comprising administering a TGF.alpha. polypeptide or a TGF.alpha.57 polypeptide or a pharmaceutically active ioop peptide, or a combination thereof, wherein the ioop peptide comprises at least an 11-membered peptide compound from formula I: --X.sub.1a-Cys-His-Ser-X.sub.1b--X.sub.2--X.sub.1a--X.sub.1b--X.sub.1a--X- .sub.3-Cys I [SEQ ID NO:4] wherein X.sub.1a and X.sub.1b are independently Val, Gly or Ala, wherein X.sub.2 is Tyr or Phe, wherein X.sub.3 is Arg or Lys, and wherein the two Cys residues form a disulfide bond to create an 11-amino acid loop peptide; wherein TGF.alpha.57 is a 57 amino acid polypeptide having the formula IV: Ser-Leu-Ser-Leu-Pro-Ala-Met-Human TGF.alpha. IV [SEQ ID NO:6] wherein human TGF.alpha. is a 50 amino acid polypeptide having the formula of SEQ ID NO:1. Preferably, at least one or more of the following seven amino acids are added to the C terminus Cys moiety from formula II: --X.sub.4-His-X.sub.1c--X.sub.4--X.sub.5--X.sub.6--X.sub.1c II [SEQ ID NO:5] wherein X.sub.4 is Glu or Asp, wherein X.sub.5 is Leu or Ile, and wherein X.sub.6 is Asp or Glu. Preferably, X.sub.1a is Val, X.sub.1b is Gly and X.sub.1c is Ala. Preferably, X.sub.2 is Tyr, and X.sub.3 is Arg. Most preferably, the loop peptide is 13 amino acids in length wherein X.sub.1a is Val, X.sub.1b is Gly, X.sub.1c is Ala, and X.sub.4 is Gly. Preferably, the invention further comprises administering a second hematopoietic growth factor agent to stimulate more mature hematopoietic precursor cells, wherein the second hematopoietic growth factor is selected from the group consisting of erythropoietin, thrombopoietin, G-CSF (granulocyte colony stimulating factor), and GM-CSF (granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor). Preferably, the invention further comprises administering stem cell factor (SCF) to augment CD34 positive progenitor cells.

The present invention further provides a method for treating or preventing mucositis of the gastrointestinal tract caused by cytotoxic or immune-suppressing therapy, comprising administering a TGF.alpha. polypeptide or a TGF.alpha.57 polypeptide or a pharmaceutically active loop peptide, or combinations thereof, wherein the loop peptide comprises at least an 11-membered peptide compound from formula I: --X.sub.1a-Cys-His-Ser-X.sub.1b--X.sub.2--X.sub.1a--X.sub.1b--X.sub.1a--X- .sub.3-Cys I [SEQ ID NO:4] wherein X.sub.1a and X.sub.1b are independently Val, Gly or Ala, wherein X.sub.2 is Tyr or Phe, wherein X.sub.3 is Arg or Lys, and wherein the two Cys residues form a disulfide bond to create an 11-amino acid ioop peptide; and wherein TGF.alpha.57 is a 57 amino acid polypeptide having the formula IV: Ser-Leu-Ser-Leu-Pro-Ala-Met-Human TGF.alpha. IV [SEQ ID NO:6] wherein human TGF.alpha. is a 50 amino acid polypeptide having the formula of SEQ ID NO:1. Preferably, at least one or more of the following seven amino acids are added to the C terminus Cys moiety from formula II: --X.sub.4-His-X.sub.1c--X.sub.4--X.sub.5--X.sub.6--X.sub.1c II [SEQ ID NO:5] wherein X.sub.4 is Glu or Asp, wherein X.sub.5 is Leu or Ile, and wherein X.sub.6 is Asp or Glu. Preferably, X.sub.1a is Val, X.sub.1b is Gly and X.sub.1c is Ala. Preferably, X.sub.2 is Tyr, and X.sub.3 is Arg. Most preferably, the loop peptide is 13 amino acids in length wherein X.sub.1a is Val, X.sub.1b is Gly, X.sub.1c is Ala, and X.sub.4 is Gly.

The present invention further provides a bifunctional compound that acts as a TGF.alpha. mimetic, comprising a compound from formula III: Loop peptide N-terminus-linker-cyclic C.sub.4H.sub.8N.sub.2-linker-Loop peptide N-terminus III wherein the linker moiety is designed to link the N-terminus of the Loop peptide to a nitrogen atom of the ring C.sub.4H.sub.8N.sub.2 and wherein the "loop peptide" comprises at least an 11-membered peptide compound from formula I: --X.sub.1a-Cys-His-Ser-X.sub.1b--X.sub.2--X.sub.1a--X.sub.1b--X.sub.1a--X- .sub.3-Cys- I [SEQ ID NO:1] wherein X.sub.1a and X.sub.1b are is independently Val, Gly or Ala, wherein X.sub.2 is Tyr or Phe, wherein X.sub.3 is Arg or Lys, and wherein the two Cys residues form a disulfide bond to create an 11-amino acid loop peptide; and wherein TGF.alpha.57 is a 57 amino acid polypeptide having the formula IV: Ser-Leu-Ser-Leu-Pro-Ala-Met-Human TGF.alpha. IV [SEQ ID NO:6] wherein human TGF.alpha. is a 50 amino acid polypeptide having the formula of SEQ ID NO:1. Preferably, at least one or more of the following seven amino acids are added to the C terminus Cys moiety from formula II: --X.sub.4-His-X.sub.1c--X.sub.4--X.sub.5--X.sub.6--X.sub.1c II [SEQ ID NO:5] wherein X.sub.4 is Glu or Asp, wherein X.sub.5 is Leu or Ile, and wherein X.sub.6 is Asp or Glu. Preferably, X.sub.1a is Val, X.sub.1b is Gly and X.sub.1c is Ala. Preferably, the linker group is independently selected from the group consisting of substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.1-6 alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.2-6 alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.1-6 alkoxy, xylenyl, wherein the substitutions are selected from the group consisting of oxo, epoxyl, hydroxyl, chloryl, bromyl, fluoryl, and amino. Preferably, X.sub.2 is Tyr, and X.sub.3 is Arg. Most preferably, the loop peptide is 13 amino acids in length wherein X.sub.1a is Val, X.sub.1b is Gly, X.sub.1c is Ala, and X.sub.4 is Gly.

The present invention further provides a method for treating inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, and Crohn's Disease of the gastrointestinal tract, comprising administering a TGF.alpha. polypeptide or a TGF.alpha.57 polypeptide or a pharmaceutically active loop peptide, or combinations thereof, wherein the loop peptide comprises at least an 11-membered peptide compound from formula I: --X.sub.1a-Cys-His-Ser-X.sub.1b--X.sub.2--X.sub.1a--X.sub.1b--X.sub.1a--X- .sub.3-Cys I [SEQ ID NO :4] wherein X.sub.1a and X.sub.1b are independently Val, Gly or Ala, wherein X.sub.2 is Tyr or Phe, wherein X.sub.3 is Arg or Lys, and wherein the two Cys residues form a disulfide bond to create an 11-amino acid loop peptide; and wherein TGF.alpha.57 is a 57 amino acid polypeptide having the formula IV: Ser-Leu-Ser-Leu-Pro-Ala-Met-Human TGF.alpha. IV [SEO ID NO:6] wherein human TGF.alpha. is a 50 amino acid polypeptide having the formula of SEQ ID NO:1. Preferably, at least one or more of the following seven amino acids are added to the C terminus Cys moiety from formula II: --X.sub.4-His-X.sub.1c--X.sub.4--X.sub.5--X.sub.6--X.sub.1c II [SEQ ID NO:5] wherein X.sub.4 is Glu or Asp, wherein X.sub.5 is Leu or Ile, and wherein X.sub.6 is Asp or Glu. Preferably, X.sub.1a is Val, X.sub.1b is Gly and X.sub.1c is Ala. Preferably, X.sub.2 is Tyr, and X.sub.3 is Arg. Most preferably, the loop peptide is 13 amino acids in length wherein X.sub.1a is Val, X.sub.1b is Gly, X.sub.1c is Ala, and X.sub.4 is Gly.

The present invention further provides a method for treating an inflammatory reaction of autoimmune diseases, comprising administering a TGF.alpha. polypeptide or a TGF.alpha.57 polypeptide or a pharmaceutically active loop peptide, or combinations thereof, wherein the loop peptide comprises at least an 11-membered peptide compound from formula I: --X.sub.1a-His-His-Ser-X.sub.1b--X.sub.2--X.sub.1a--X.sub.1b--X.sub.1a--X- .sub.3-Cys I [SEQ ID NO:4] wherein X.sub.1a and X.sub.1b are independently Val, Gly or Ala, wherein X.sub.2 is Tyr or Phe, wherein X.sub.3 is Arg or Lys, and wherein the two Cys residues form a disulfide bond to create an 11-amino acid loop peptide; and wherein TGF.alpha.57 is a 57 amino acid polypeptide having the formula IV: Ser-Leu-Ser-Leu-Pro-Ala-Met-Human TGF.alpha. IV [SEQ ID NO:6] wherein human TGF.alpha. is a 50 amino acid polypeptide having the formula of SEQ ID NO:1. Preferably, the autoimmune diseases are selected from the group consisting of Type II (Juvenile) Diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis. Preferably, at least one or more of the following seven amino acids are added to the C terminus Cys moiety from formula II: --X.sub.4-His-X.sub.1c--X.sub.41--X.sub.5--X.sub.6--X.sub.1c II [SEQ ID NO:5] wherein X.sub.4 is Glu or Asp, wherein X.sub.5 is Leu or Ile, and wherein X.sub.6 is Asp or Glu. Preferably, X.sub.1a is Val, X.sub.1b is Gly and X.sub.1c is Ala. Preferably, X.sub.2 is Tyr, and X.sub.3 is Arg. Most preferably, the loop peptide is 13 amino acids in length wherein X.sub.1a is Val, X.sub.1b is Gly, X.sub.1c is Ala, and X.sub.4 is Gly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Loop Peptide

Human TGF.alpha. is a polypeptide of 50 amino acids and the corresponding rat sequence is shown in FIG. 1 (see Original Patent). The human or rat TGF.alpha. polypeptide can be divided roughly into three loop regions corresponding roughly (starting at the N terminus) to amino acids 1-21, to amino acids 16-32, and to amino acids 33-50. Each of the three foregoing loop regions in human TGF.alpha. was investigated for TGF.alpha.-like biological activity, such as stimulation of cellular proliferation as measured by .sup.3H thymidine incorporation of stem cells. As shown in FIG. 2 (see Original Patent), only the Loop C peptide (corresponding to amino acids 33-50) showed significant TGF.alpha. biological activity and is therefore a TGF.alpha. mimetic peptide. Therefore, in view of the fact that the loop peptide exhibited TGF.alpha. biological activity, data obtained with TGF.alpha. (50 amino acid polypeptide or even the altered splice 57 amino acid polypeptide) is predictive. Accordingly, data from TGF.alpha. or TGF.alpha. 57 show what can be called "TGF.alpha. activity" and these area are predictive of activity of the loop peptide and similar loop peptides embodied in the genus of formula I with or without the addition of a "tail" region of formula II. These data predict activity for the loop peptide when activity is also shown for TGF.alpha. or for TGF.alpha.57.

Pharmaceutical Composition and Formulations

The inventive pharmaceutical composition comprises a loop peptide in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is suitable for the particular form of administration contemplated by the pharmaceutical composition. The term "carrier" is designed to mean any and all solvents, dispersion media, coatings, isotonic agents, antibacterial and antifungal agents designed to preserve a formulation from contamination, absorption agents and similar agents that are compatible with pharmaceutical administration irrespective of the route of administration.

The pharmaceutical formulations are made based upon the intended routes of administration. Specifically, those formulations that will be intended for a GI indication may be administered orally. In view of the peptide bonds present, such formulations will be made to pass through the stomach and protect the active compound from the low pH conditions of the stomach before there is a better chance for local activity in the villi of the small intestine and large intestine. The loop peptide formulations are intended for parenteral administration through some form of injection or for use in ex vivo culture media. Parenteral forms of administration include, for example, intravenous, intradermal, intramuscular, intraperitoneal for GI effects, injection directly into a target organ (e.g., brain) at the appropriate location, application in a biodegradable matrix to a site of CNS injury (e.g., spinal cord).

Solutions or suspensions useful in pharmaceutical compositions that contain peptide components include sterile diluents such as water, saline, fixed oils, polyethylene glycols, glycerine, propylene glycol, or other synthetic agents, plus an antibacterial or antifungal agent for preservation, antioxidants, chelating agents, buffer and agents that adjust tonicity for direct organ injections. Forms of pharmaceutical compositions include, for example, sterile aqueous solutions or dispersions and sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable solutions of dispersions. For intravenous injection or direct organ or peritoneal injections, suitable carriers include, for example, saline, bacteriostatic water, Cremophor, or phosphate buffered saline. The composition is formulated to preserve stability, be easily mixed and preserved against contamination. Isotonic agents, such as sugars or polyalcohols (e.g., glucose, fructose, mannitol, sorbitol and the like) or sodium chloride are used. Agents that delay target organ absorption can also be used and these include, for example, aluminum monostearate and gelatin.

Sterile injectable solutions can be prepared by incorporating the active agent (see formula I, formula II, or formula III and TGF.alpha.) in the required amount in an appropriate solvent and then sterilizing, such as by sterile filtration. Further, powders can be prepared by standard techniques Solutions or suspensions useful in the pharmaceutical compositions that contain peptide such as freeze drying or vacuum drying.

In another embodiment, the active agent is prepared with a biodegradable carrier for sustained release characteristics for either sustained release in the GI tract or for target organ implantation (e.g., brain or spinal cord) with long term active agent release characteristics to the intended site of activity (such as a site of injury or neuronal degradation). Biodegradable polymers include, for example, ethylene vinyl acetate, polyanhydrides, polyglycolic acids, polylactic acids, collagen, polyorthoesters, and poly acetic acid. Liposomal formulation can also be used.

In addition, the active compound for the pharmaceutical composition needs to also be synthesized. If the compound is from formula I or formula II, a preferred means for synthesizing peptides of 13-18 amino acids in length is by direct peptide synthesis generally starting with the N-terminal amino acid and adding amino acids in the C terminal direction. Such small peptides can also be synthesized and later purified by standard recombinant techniques, but peptide of 18 amino acids in length are better synthesized from the amino acid building blocks directly. TGF.alpha. has bee made using recombinant techniques and is available as a laboratory reagent commercially. The bifunctional compounds of formula III are best synthesized with each loop peptide moiety synthesized and then added to the heterocyclic nitrogen atom using standard heterocyclic addition synthesis.

Loop Peptide Mimics TGF.alpha. Neuroactive Therapeutic Activity

The neuroactive activity of the loop peptide is based upon the discovery that the loop peptide exhibits TGF.alpha. biological activity and can therefore stimulate CNS multipotent precursor cells to divide and migrate through the brain. This activity indicates that the loop peptide is effective to treat neurological deficits caused by a wide variety of diseases and injuries that each result in a neurological deficit in some specific area of the brain or specific kind of neuron. These include degenerative diseases, including the more common Alzheimer's Disease (AD), Parkinson's Disease (PD), and Huntington's Disease (HD), and the less common Pick's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, striatonigral degeneration, cortico-basal degeneration, olivopontocerebellar atrophy, Leigh's disease, infantile necrotizing encephalomyelopathy, Hunter's disease, mucopolysaccharidosis, various leukodystrophies (such as Krabbe's disease, Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease and the like), amaurotic (familial) idiocy, Kuf s disease, Spielmayer-Vogt disease, Tay Sachs disease, Batten disease, Jansky-Bielschowsky disease, Reye's disease, cerebral ataxia, chronic alcoholism, beriberi, Hallervorden-Spatz syndrome, cerebellar degeneration, and the like.

Further, injuries (traumatic or neurotoxic) that cause a loss of neuronal function can be treated by the ioop peptide. Such injuries include, for example, gunshot wounds, injuries caused by blunt force, penetration injuries, injuries caused by surgical procedure (e.g., tumor removal, abscess removal, epilepsy lesion removal) poisoning (e.g., carbon monoxide), shaken baby syndrome, adverse reactions to medications, drug overdoses, and post-traumatic encephalopathy. Ischemia can further cause CNS injury due to disruption of blood flow or oxygen delivery that can kill or injure neurons and glial cells. Such injuries can be treated by administration of the loop peptide and include, for example, injuries caused by stroke, anoxia, hypoxia, partial drowning, myoclonus, severe smoke inhalation, dystonias, and acquired hydrocephalus. Developmental disorders that can be treated by the ioop peptide include, for example, schizophrenia, certain forms of severe mental retardation, cerebral palsey, congenital hydrocephalus, severe autism, Downs Syndrome, leutinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH)/hypothalamic disorder, and spina bifida. The loop peptide can be further used to treat disorders affecting vision caused by the loss or failure of retinal cells and include, for example, diabetic retinopathy, serious retinal detachment (associated with glaucoma), traumatic injury to the retina, retinal vascular occlusion, macular degeneration, optic nerve atrophy and other retinal degenerative diseases. Injuries to the spinal cord can be treated by the loop peptide. Examples of spinal cord injuries are post-polio syndrome, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, traumatic injury, surgical injury, and paralytic diseases. Demyelinating autoimmune disorders can be treated by administration of the ioop peptide and include, for example, multiple sclerosis. Lastly, the loop peptide can be used to treat neurological deficits caused by infection of inflammatory diseases, including, for example, Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease and other slow virus infectious diseases of the CNS, AIDS encephalopathy, post-encephalitic Parkinsonism, viral encephalitis, bacterial meningitis and other CNS effects of infectious diseases.

The loop peptide provides TGF.alpha. activity and therefor the present method of treating neurological deficit and injury disorders is based upon the biological activity of the loop peptide of formula I, formula II and formula III and the data available for TGF.alpha. that has been published.

Hematopoiesis

TGF.alpha. and related polypeptides, such as TGF.alpha. 57, showed surprising enhancing activity in an in vivo model of general hematopoiesis when administered in conjunction with a potent cytotoxic agent Cis Platinum (CP). FIG. 3 (see Original Patent) shows a graph of mouse spleen weights that were treated with CP at either 5 .mu.g/g or 10 .mu.g/g and with TGF.alpha. 57 at concentrations of 10 ng/g or 50 ng/g. These data show that TGF.alpha. 57 treatment caused a return to normal spleen weights despite CP treatment that reduced spleen weights significantly. This in vivo experiment is a predictive model for hematopoiesis in humans as CP is a cytotoxic agent commonly used for cancer chemotherapy that is known to significantly reduce trilineage hematopoietic cells. Hematopoietic cells are red blood cell precursors, platelet precursors (megakaryocytes), and immune (white) blood cell precursors of various forms of T cells, B cells and macrophages. Moreover, platelet counts were higher in those mice injected with TGF.alpha. 57 (and CP) as opposed to CP alone where such counts were significantly reduced from normal. It should be noted that references to TGF.alpha. as a human 50 amino acid polypeptide farther include reference to human TGF.alpha.57 as an alternative cleavage variant.

The experiment procedure dosed those animals to be treated with TGF.alpha. 57 4 hours prior to challenge with CP. A single dose of CP was administered. Additional doses (as indicated) of TGF.alpha. 57 were made at 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours and 96 hours after the CP dose. All doses were made by IP injection. Controls were dosed with saline instead of either or both of CP and TGF.alpha.57.

The animals were sacrificed about 4 hours after the last TGF.alpha.57 (or saline) dose. Key organs were removed and spleens were immediately weighed after a clean incision. All the relevant organs were placed in formalin, transported for histopathological analysis, mounted, sectioned, stained and observed. The results of this histological analysis of the spleens for hematopoietic effect and the GI tract (below) provide the surprising data of the effect of TGF.alpha.57 activity.

In FIG. 4 (see Original Patent), three panels of H&E-stained spleens are shown. Specifically, the top panel shows a CP-treated mouse spleen (10 .mu.g/g) showing apoptotic cells (densely stained with fragments of nuclei) in the germinal center (GC). The T cells with the central arterial area show the absence of a marginal zone and much fewer erythrocytes and T cells in the perifolecular area (arrows). In the middle panel, a normal mouse spleen is shown (no CO and no TGF.alpha.57) fixed in formalin showing an arteriole with T cells areas (arrow). A primary follicle and a second follicle are shown as containing a germinal center (GC). There is a presence of an erythrocyte rich (pink) perifollicular zone surrounding both a T cell and B cell compartments of white pulp. In the bottom panel, a mouse spleen treated with CP (10 .mu.g/g) and TGF.alpha.57 (50 ng/g) shows an increased number of T cells and erythrocytes in the perifolicular zone (arrows). The T cell area contains lymph vessels in relation to arterioles. A germinal center (GC) is within the mantle zone. These in vivo data in a predictive model of hematopoiesis and confirmed by blinded histological analysis (the histologist/pathologist was blinded as to the treatment history of the coded tissues received) providing surprising evidence of the utility of peptides having TGF.alpha. activity to augment hematopoiesis following cytotoxic exposure. These data predict and provide a reasonable correlation that TGF.alpha. and the peptides of formula I, formula II and formula III are useful therapeutic agents for enhancing hematopoiesis following or during cytotoxic therapy, such as cancer treatment. Therefore, a useful method for treating cancer is to combine either TGF.alpha. or a peptide from formula I, formula II, formula In, of formula IV or combinations thereof with cytotoxic treatment regimens to reduce dose-limiting side effects of cytotoxic agents.

An additional experiment investigated TGF.alpha. activity (using TGF.alpha. 57) FACS-sorted human CD34 positive and CD38 negative cells were cultured in liquid primary cultures in Iscove's modified Dulbecco's media with supplements. TGF.alpha. (57) was added alone (10 ng/ml) An additional experiment investigated TGF.alpha. activity (using TGF.alpha. 57) FACS-sorted and exhibited a 35% increase in CD34 positive progenitor cells. Stem Cell Factor (SCF) was used as a positive control (500 ng/ml) and provided a three-fold increase in CD34 positive cells. When a combination of SCF (500 ng/ml) and TGF.alpha. (10 ng/ml) was added, a synergistic 12-fold increase in CD34 positive cells was observed.

Moreover, the present invention provides a combination therapeutic agent for augmenting hematopoiesis in patients treated for cancer, comprising a TGF.alpha. polypeptide or mimetic thereof in combination with SCF. The effect of TGF.alpha. or mimetics thereof is to augment hematopoiesis and increase the bone marrow population of CD34+ cells. SCF also can augment bone marrow populations of CD34.sup.+ cells but also has a side effect of mast cell degranulaion that is dose limiting. Therefore, the ability of TGF.alpha. and mimetics thereof to both augment hematopoiesis and alleviate the dose limiting side effect of SCF provides for a synergistic combination therapeutic agent.

Mucositis and Gastrointestinal Diseases

The small intestine comprises the duodenum, jejunum and ileum. It is the principal site for absorption of digestive products from the GI tract. Digestion begins in the stomach and is completed in the small intestine in association with the absorptive process. The intestinal mucosa surface is made up of numerous finger-like projections called villi. In addition, mucosa between the basis of the villi (crypts) is formed into the crypts.

TGF.alpha. or a peptide from formula I, formula II, formula III, or formula IV having TGF.alpha. activity or combinations thereof are also useful for treating mucositis associated with intestinal bleeding, dyspepsia caused by with cytotoxic therapy and for improving the barrier function of the GI tract compromised by cytotoxic therapy. The in vivo experiment with seven groups of mice described above for hematopietic effects noted in spleens also examined the GI tract of these treated mice. In FIG. 5 (see Original Patent) there are three panels showing the histological examination of mouse intestines. In the top panel, CP (single ip dose of 10 .mu.g/g) treated intestine is cross-sectioned and shows significant injury to the villi. Specifically, the villi are necrotic and the crypts are in irregular shapes. The tips of the crypts were losing their cellular integrity (arrows). In the middle panel is a cross section of a normal mouse GI tract (no CP and no TGF.alpha.57) and shows a normal intestinal surface with villi having long and slender mucosal projections with a core of lamina propria covered by a luminal epithelial layer. A single row of intestinal crypt is found at the base of the mucosa. These crypts that lie between adjacent villi are surrounded by the same lamina propria that form the villous cores. Both columnar absorptive cells and goblet cells cover the villous surfaces. The goblet cells contain apical clear vacuoles. The bottom panel shows a cross section of a mouse intestine exposed to both the CP (10 .mu.g/g) and TGF.alpha.57 (50 ng/g). The intestinal structure is very similar to the normal intestinal structure. Specifically, the villus is long and slender. Both absorptive cells and goblet cells are visible at the surface of the villi. There is an abundant amount of goblet cells on the surface.

In FIG. 6 (see Original Patent), there are three panels shown at 160.times. magnification again corresponding to a CP-treated mouse in the top panel, a normal mouse in the middle panel and a CP treated and TGF.alpha.57 treated mouse in the bottom panel at the same doses as indicated for FIG. 5 (see Original Patent). In the top panel are injured villi with tips degenerating and necrotic (arrows). Red blood cells are observed in the damaged villi (arrows). The crypts (C) are in irregular shape and in various heights. The middle panel shows that the tips of the villi (arrows) are smooth and the nuclei of the enterocytes are observed throughout the villus. The crypts (C) are similar in height and regular in shape. The bottom panel has villi (arrows) appearing normal as in the middle panel. The crypts (C) also appear to be normal.

FIG. 7 (see Original Patent) shows three panels but the top and middle panels are CP (10 .mu.g/g) treated without TGF.alpha.57 and the bottom panel is CP (10 .mu.g/g) and 50 ng/g of TGF.alpha.57. The panels are shown at higher magnification. Xn the top panel, the severely injured crypt surface &om CP treatment shows cellular destruction due to necrosis. Red cells appear at the damaged surface to indicate intestinal bleeding. In addition, the middle panel of a CP-treated mouse shows a loss of brush border and very little of a glycocalyx or fuzzy coat. The interspersed globlet cells appear fewer in number (than normal) and are seen as necrotic. In the bottom panel, the effect of TGF.alpha. treatment shows protection of the villa surface (arrows). Specifically, the epithelial cells are normal appearing with extended brush borders. The nuclei are very densely stained and elongated. The histological data is summarized in FIG. 8 (see Original Patent) that measured average crypt height of the three groups of mice. TGF.alpha.57 treatment (50 ng/g) was able to more-than-restore crypt height loss from CP treatment.

An alcian blue staining method permits differentiation of two major cell types that are an absorptive cell and a goblet cell. The goblet cell mucus is stained a greenish blue color while the absorptive cells remain less stained. In FIG. 9 (see Original Patent), the three panels at 160.times. magnification are shown to correspond to normal intestine in the top panel, CP only treated (10 pg/g) in the middle panel and both CP (10 .mu.g/g) and TGF.alpha.57 (50 ng/g) in the bottom panel. In the normal intestine (top panel), each villus extends from the luminal surface to the basal muscularis mucosal surface. Goblet cells are scattered and predominate in the base of the villus (arrows) whereas columnar absorptive cells line the luminal surface. In the middle panel, the alcian blue staining method shows that the villi contain a fewer number of goblet cells (than normal) (arrows). The injured absorptive and goblet cells are degenerating at the tip of the villi (arrows). Abundant secretory mucus material is stained in the luminal surface (arrows). In the bottom panel, there are an increased number of goblet cells scattered throughout the villi (arrows). The intestinal villi are in normal form with elongation. The majority of enterocytes do not appear to be alcian blue stained positive. The luminal plasma membranes of the villi (arrows) are well protected by TGF.alpha. treatment. The number of goblet cells was counted on the average unit length of intestine. These data are shown in FIG. 10 (see Original Patent). TGF.alpha. treatment not only increased the number of goblet cells but also increased the number from CP treatment to a higher level than normal intestine.

Accordingly, these data show the effects of TGF.alpha., and the loop peptides from formula I, formula II, formula III, and formula IV having therapeutic activity to treat or prevent mucositis associated with cytotoxic therapy and for inflammatory bowel diseases. Moreover, the histological effect showing that there was a prevention of mast cell degranulation (Figure II (see Original Patent)), provides additional data supporting the gastrointestinal applications for TGF.alpha., and the loop peptide of formula I, formula II, formula III, and formula IV.

Autoimmune Diseases

In addition, TGF.alpha. activity resulted in stimulation of proliferation of select immune cells (particularly of the T cell lineage) after administration to mice after immune-suppression of CP administration. The stimulated immune cells were phenotypically identified as CD4 positive T cells and double null CD4 negative CD8 negative T cell progenitors with characteristics of NK-1 cells. Thus, TGF.alpha. activity (specifically from TGF.alpha.57 administration) resulted in regulated immune functions and in particular defects in NK-1 cells. Therefore, these data predict that TGF.alpha. activity and the loop peptide of formula I, formula II, formula III, and formula IV will be effective in treating autoimmune diseases by mitigating over-inflammatory reactions. The in vivo activity of TGF.alpha. (FIG. 11 (see Original Patent)) (and the loop peptide of formula I, formula II, formula III, and formula IV) to stimulate early T cell progenitors on the NK-1 type results in the release of TH-2 cytokines and this down regulates autoimmune phenomena. The stimulation of select immune cells, in particular cells of a T cell lineage, was seen consistently in the mice who received CP and TGF.alpha.57 (FIG. 11 for GI tract) in lymphoid tissue, Peyers Patches and the spleen. Further, recruitment of help via CD4 cells in some cases boosts immune system function in general.

In FIG. 11 (see Original Patent), TGF.alpha. administration prevented mast cell degranulation and subsequent histamine release. This is a parallel activity that is in addition to the gastrointestinal anti-inflammatory activity and prevention of mucositis of TGF.alpha. (and the loop peptide of formula I, formula II, formula III, and formula IV) described herein.
 

Claim 1 of 6 Claims

1. A transforming growth factor-.alpha. (TGF.alpha.) mimetic peptide, comprising: (a) a first amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:4: X.sub.1a-Cys-His-Ser-X.sub.1b---X.sub.2--X.sub.1a--X.sub.1b--X.sub.1a--X.- sub.3-Cys [SEQ ID NO:4] wherein Cys at position 11 in SEQ ID NO:4 comprises a C terminus; and (b) added to the C terminus of (a), a second amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:5: --X.sub.4-His-X.sub.1c--X.sub.4--X.sub.5--X.sub.6--X.sub.1c [SEQ ID NO:5] to obtain a TGF.alpha. mimetic peptide of 18 amino acids that comprises a combination of said first and second amino acid sequences, wherein X.sub.1a, X.sub.1b and X.sub.1c are independently Val, Gly or Ala, wherein X.sub.2 is Tyr or Phe, wherein X.sub.3 is Arg or Lys, wherein X.sub.4 is Glu or Asp, wherein X.sub.5 is Leu or Ile, wherein X.sub.6 is Asp or Glu, wherein the C terminus Cys at position 11 in SEQ ID NO:4 forms a disulfide bond with Cys at position 2 in SEQ ID NO:4, and wherein the TGF.alpha. mimetic peptide exhibits TGF.alpha. biological activity.

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