Analogs of C5a and methods of using same
Materials and methods for treating an infection or disease, activating an immune cell at a site of infection or disease, and for directly killing microorganisms, using response-selective carboxy-terminal C5a analogs, are provided.
1. A method of activating an immune cell at a site of infection or disease comprising administering an effective amount of an oligopeptide C-terminal analog of C5a to a mammal, wherein said immune cell is an antigen presenting cell, said analog not attached to an antigen, and said analog having response-selective C5a receptor binding activity, wherein the analog is SEQ ID NO: 4.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the analog is administered by a route selected from the group consisting of oral, topical, inhalation spray, intradermal, subcutaneous injection, and intravenous injection.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the analog is formulated in a powder, aerosol, cream, gel, liquid, bandage, and surgical suture.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the analog is administered at a dose of 25 μg to 500 μg.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the analog is administered concurrently, prior, or following administration of a second therapeutic agent.
6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the second therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of immunosuppressants, vaccines, corticosteroids, anti-inflammatory agents, chemotherapeutic agents, antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, and antiparasitics.
7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the vaccine is a C-terminal analog of C5a attached to an antigen.
8. The method according to claim 1 , comprising administering a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of the analog and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the analog is administered as a dosage unit form.