Anti-inflammatory lipocortin-derived peptides.

Peptide Ac2-26, drawn from the sequence of human lipocortin 1, inhibited the release of elastase activity from cytoplasmic granules of human neutrophils, and neutrophil adhesion to monolayers of endothelial cells, in a concentration-dependent manner (approximate IC50 of 100 micrograms/ml, 33 microM). The effect of peptide Ac2-26 was not restricted to a specific neutrophil activator, being effective against formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (FMLP), leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and platelet-activating factor (PAF). Peptide Ac2-26 did not alter FMLP binding to its receptor. These in vitro observations complement in vivo data obtained with this peptide and may enable a better understanding of its pharmacology and, perhaps, that of of lipocortin 1 too.