Action of Synthetic Peptide LKEKK in Experimental Tuberculosis - Abstract
In the present study, we investigated the activity of the synthetic peptide LKEKK (Np5) in murine model of tuberculosis induced by Mycobacterium bivis-bovinus 8 strain. Therapy with Np5 at doses of 0.01, 0.1, and 1µg/kg (5 daily injections) decreased the lung damage index compared to untreated controls and to those treated with isoniazid alone. The growth of M. bivis-bovinus 8 in spleen culture was decreased. Study of cytokine production showed that on the 24th day after treatment with Np5 (doses of 0.01, 0.1, 1µg/kg) the secretion of IL-2 was restored to the level seen in uninfected animals. IFN-? production be both thymus and spleen cells, as well as its circulating levels in serum, was increased by the Np5 treatment. Concurrently, IL-4 production was decreased in the same cell types and in the serum. The Np5 treatment also stimulated the macrophage functions, which had been decreased by tuberculosis infection and isoniazid therapy, with an improved phagocytosis activity of peritoneal macrophages. Thus, the Np5 treatment increased the efficacy of anti-tuberculosis therapy as well as strength of the immune response.