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

Abstract

Octapeptide 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 BALB/c mice. R2 inhalation significantly decreased neutrophil count and cytokine mRNA expression in the lungs of LPS (25 mg/kg)-treated mice (P < .05). It also showed a tendency for decreased tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-immunoreactive 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 LPS-induced lung inflammation.