STRUCTURE-ACTIVITY-RELATIONSHIPS OF NOVEL HEMATOREGULATORY PEPTIDES

Hematopoiesis is a lifelong cell renewal process regulated by a family of lineage specific hematopoietic growth factors. Several hematopoiet ic growth factors such as G-CSF, GM-CSF, and M-CSF have been clinicall y evaluated for enhancement of host defense in normal and immunocompro mised patients and for the treatment of infectious diseases, This pape r reports the structure-activity relationships of low molecular weight hematoregulatory peptides based ori a nonapeptide (1, SK&F 107647). L ike the macromolecular growth. factors, these peptides modulate host d efense. A molecular target for this class of compounds has not yet bee n identified. However, the structure-activity relationships establishe d by this study implicate a very specific molecular recognition event that is pivotal for the biological activities of 1 and its analogues.