Methods of treating inflammation in mammalian tissues comprising administering human alpha-defensins

摘要

Human α-defensins are inhibitors of interleukin-1β post transitional processing and release. Interleukin-1β is a key cytokine involved in the initiation and amplification of the inflammatory process, including the inflammation of diseases such as Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Particularly, human neutrophil defensin-1(HNP-1) produced mainly by neutrophils, and human α-defensin 5(HD-5) produced by Paneth cells has been found to block interleukin-1β post transitional processing and release. Thus, a pharmaceutical composition and method for treating inflammation in the mammalian tissues is herein disclosed. The pharmaceutical composition is a therapeutic supplementation of a metabolic pathway to reduce inflammation comprising a human α-defensins in a therapeutically effective amount or an amide, ester or salt thereof and a pharmaceutically effective carrier. The method for treating inflammation in mammalian tissues includes administering a human α-defensins to a mammal in an amount effective to inhibit the post translational processing and release of interleukin-1β.