A PEPTIDE SEQUENCE FROM PLATELET FACTOR-4 (CT-112) IS EFFECTIVE IN THE TREATMENT OF TYPE-II COLLAGEN-INDUCED ARTHRITIS IN MICE

Objective. Platelet factor 4 (PF-4) is a critical alpha chemokine in i nflammation and injury responses, with multiple effects upon cellular activities, Discrete peptide sequences of the PF-4 molecule have been shown to retain biological activity. Our aim was to examine the influe nce of the PF-4 derived octapeptide (CT-112; TTSQVRPR) on type II coll agen induced arthritis in mice, to determine if this peptide exhibited antiinflammatory properties, Methods. DBA/1 mice were treated with CT -112 from either the time of immunization with type IT collagen or fro m the initial onset of arthritis, Results. CT-112 both presented the d evelopment of arthritis in mice treated prophylactically and reduced p rogression of disease in animals treated therapeutically, and was acti ve when delivered by either subcutaneous injection or oral gavage. No marked immunosuppressive effects were observed during CT-112 treatment , with only moderate decrease in antibody levels and mitogen responses , A significant reduction of the circulating levels of IL-1 was a cons istent Ending in mice treated therapeutically with CT-112. Conclusion, These data suggest PF-4 derived octapeptide exerts antiinflammatory e ffects on experimental arthritis in mice.