Therapeutic applications of antiflammin peptides in experimental ocular inflammation.

Antiflammins are synthetic peptides derived from the region of highest local similarity between uteroglobulin and lipocortin. These peptides have shown anti-inflammatory activity on carrageenan-induced rat footpad edema. They are potent inhibitors for phospholipase A2 activation both in vitro and in vivo. Previously, we have demonstrated the effectiveness of topical antiflammins in suppressing acute ocular inflammation and allergic response in rodent endotoxin-induced uveitis and murine allergic conjunctivitis. The mechanisms by which antiflammins protect against inflammation and allergy in these ocular models may involve inhibition of phospholipase A2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) as well as the production of proinflammatory cytokine, interleukin-6.