IL151351A - Casein derived peptides and uses thereof in therapy - Google Patents

Abstract

Biologically active peptides that are derived from or are similar to sequences identical with the N-terminus of the αS1 fraction of milk casein. These peptides are capable of stimulating and enhancing immune response, protecting against viral infection, normalizing serum cholesterol levels, and stimulating hematopoiesis. The casein-derived peptides are non-toxic and can be used to treat and prevent immune pathologies, hypercholesterolemia, hematological disorders and viral-related diseases, alone or in combination with other peptides or blood cell stimulating factors.

Description

•'iD'n ann tm»nm TWJ?» D^raan B^TU S CASEIN DERIVED PEPTIDES AND USES THEREOF IN THERAPY 151351/3 Description

[0001] The present invention relates to biologically active peptides that are derived from or are similar to sequences identical with the N-terminus of the aS1 fraction of milk casein. These peptides are capable of stimulating hematopoiesis. The casein-derived peptides are non-toxic and can be used to treat and present hematological disorders.

[0002] In addition to the nutritional value of many foods, certain fractions and products of digestive pathways possess the ability to influence physiological processes. Some of these "extranutritional" constituents are present in their active form in the whole nutriment, such as the immunoglobulins in mother's milk and colostrums, phytoestrogens found in soy-based foods, polyphenols antioxidants from fruits and vitamins. Others are encrypted within nutrient molecules, and are released in an active form during digestion or food processing, for example antihypertensive peptides from lactoglobin [Kitts, D. D. (1999), Can. J. Physiol. Pharmacol. 72:4; 423-434],

[0003] Casein, the predominant milk protein, has been traditionally defined as composed of three fractions, a, β and γ, according to their electrophoretic mobility [N. J. Hipp, et al. (1952), Dairy Sci., 35:272]. Today casein is defined according to the amino acid sequences of each of the subgroups aS1 , aS2, β and κ [W. N. Engel et al. (1984), J. Dairy Sci. 67: 1599].

[0004] In the course of digestion, the casein proteins are subjected to proteolytic cleavage by acid proteases such as chymosin (rennin), trypsin and pepsin, producing shorter peptides and causing curdling and calcium sequestration by the resultant protein fragments. A few studies with milk compounds demonstrated casein-related bacteriocidal activity. U. S. -A- 3, 764, 670 discloses proteolytic casein digests possessing antibiotic properties against microorganisms. Israel Patent No.42863 describes a casein-derived peptide consisting of 23 amino acids of the N-terminus of casein, possessing antibacterial activity. In addition, other physiologically active properties, such as opioid and growth factor-like activities have been proposed for casein or its derivatives [Kitts, D. D., (1999), ibid.].

[0005] Immune modulating activity has also been observed in casein peptides. Coste et al. (1992, Immun. Lett. 33: 41 -46) observed enhancement of rat lymphocyte proliferation following treatment with a peptide derived from the C-terminus of β casein. However, none of these studies have determined the specific sequences in these casein peptides which confer their "extranutritional" properties.

[0006] The «S1 fraction of casein can be obtained from milk proteins by various methods [D. G. Schmidth and T. A. J. Paynes (1963), Biochim., Biophys. Acta, 78:492 ; M. P. Thompson and C. A. Kiddy (1964), J. DairySci., 47 : 626 ; J. C. Mercier. et al. (1968). Bull. Soc. Chim. Biol. 50:521], and the complete amino acid sequence of the aS1 fraction or casein was determined by J. C. Mercier et al. (1971 ) (Eur. J. Biochem. 23:41 ). The genomic and coding sequences of bovine otS1 fraction of casein have also been cloned and sequenced employing recombinant DNA techniques [D. Koczan, et al. (1991), Nucl. Acids Res. 19(20):5591 ; McKnight, R. A., et al (1989), J. Dairy Sci. 72:2464-73]. Proteolytic cleavage and identification of N-terminal fragments from the aS1 fraction of casein has been documented [J. C. Mercier, et al. (1970), Eur. J. Biochom. 16:439 ; P. L. H. McSweeney et al. (1993), J. Dairy Res., 60:401], as has the intestinal absorption and appearance of this fragment in mammalian plasma following ingestion of whole milk proteins [Fiat, A. M., et al. (1998) Biochimie, 80(2):2155-65]. Meisel, H. and Bockelmann, W.[ (1999), Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 76:207-15] detected amino acid sequences of immunopeptides, casokinins and casomorphins in peptides liberated by lactic acid bacteria digests of a and β casein fractions. Of particular interest is the anti-aggregating and thrombolytic activity demonstrated for C-terminal portions of the a-and κ-casein fractions [Chabance, B, et al.(1997), Biochem. Mol. Biol. Int. 42 (1 )77-84; Caen J. et al. (1993), J. Dairy Sci. 76(1):301 -310].

[0007] Following high-dose chemotherapy, especially following myeloablative doses of chemoradiotherapy supported by autologous bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (ASCT) or allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT), patients are at high risk due to pancytopenia. Granulocytopenia may lead to development of serious, occasionally fatal infectious complications from common bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic agents in the immediate post transplant period.

[0008] Similarly, thrombocytopenia frequently results in bleeding tendency and occasionally, in long lasting platelet dependence. Whenever resistance to platelets develops, bleeding episodes can be life threatening and hemorrhagic complications are frequently lethal. The risk due to granulocytopenia can be partially overcome by supportive measures and most effectively by administration of recombinant human cytokines that can enhance reconstitution of granulocytes, particularly granulocyte colony stimulation factor (G-CSF) and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). These agents are extremely expensive (approximately $200-400/day/patient) and infrequently cause side effects due to hypersensitivity reactions, fever, bone pain and occasionally vascular leak syndromes, including pericarditis and pleuritis. Some of the side effects may be due to other cytokines that may be intrinsically released by these hematopoietic growth factors. Moreover, the use of these hematopoietic growth factors may be prohibitive in patients with tumor cells bearing G-CSF or GM-CSF receptors such as in acute and chronic myeloid leukemias and in myelodysplastic syndromes. Whereas major progress in treating patients at risk of pancytopenia has been achieved from the use of hematopoietic cytokines, no progress has been made in the treatment of thrombocytopenia.

[0009] Following high dose chemotherapy and especially following ASCT, patients are at risk for thrombocytopenia 151351/3 which may last for many months even up to 3 years and some thrombocytopenic patients may never recover. Many patients previously treated with multiple blood products become platelet resistant and hence thrombocytopenia may be impossible to overcome, even transiently, despite intensive and frequent platelet transfusions from a single donor. Resistance to platelets and protracted thrombocytopenia represent a common cause of death at ASCTcenters worldwide.

[0010] Currently, several new recombinant cytokines such as recombinant human interleukin-3 (rhlL3) and recombinant human interleukin-6 (rhlL6) are being investigated as potential agents for enhancing megakaryocytopoiesis and platelet reconstitution. Unfortunately, preliminary clinical trials showed that although rhlL3 and rhlL6 may enhance platelet reconstitution, such effects are by no means dramatic and may take considerable time.

[0011] Clearly, protracted thrombocytopenia represents a major problem in clinical Bone Marrow Transplant centers today, for which no satisfactory solution has yet been found.

[0012] There is thus a widely recognized need for, and it would be highly advantageous to have a safe, inexpensive, rapidly effective and well-defined stimulator of hematopoiesis, and specifically megakaryocytopoiesis, devoid of the above limitations.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention therefore there is provided the use of a peptide derived from an N terminus portion of aS1 casein for the manufacture of a medicament for inducing hematopoiesis, wherein said inducing hematopoiesis is selected from inducing hematopoietic stem cell proliferation and differentiation, inducing megakaryocytopoiesis, inducing erythropoiesis, inducing thrombocytopoiesis and inducing leukocytopoiesis.

[0014] According to another aspect, the present invention comprehends the use of a casecidin peptide preparation derived from natural casein for the manufacture of a medicament for inducing hematopoiesis, wherein said inducing hematopoiesis is selected from inducing hematopoietic stem cell proliferation and differentiation, inducing megakaryocytopoiesis, inducing erythropoiesis, inducing thrombocytopoiesis and inducing leukocytopoiesis.

[0015] Preferably, said peptide is a synthetic peptide.

[0016] In some embodiments, the peptide has a sequence as set forth in one of SEQ ID NOs:1 -19.

[0017] In yet another aspect to the present invention there is provided a purified peptide derived from an N terminus portion of aS1 casein having an amino acid sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 18 or 19.

[0018] Said purified peptide may be a synthetic peptide.

[0019] In yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a pharmaceutical composition for use in treating a hematological disease selected from thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia and granulocytopenia, the composition comprising, as an active ingredient, a therapeutically effective concentration of the purified peptide of the present invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

[0020] The present invention successfully addresses the shortcomings of the presently known configurations by providing peptides for the treatment of human disease, which peptides are derived from the N-terminus portion of aS1 casein and posses no detectable toxicity and high therapeutic efficacy. [0021 ] The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.

In the drawings: FIGs. 1 a-b depict the stimulation of Natural Killer (NK) cell activity in cultured murine bone marrow cells by peptides derived from natural casein. Lysis of 35S labeled YAC target cells by cultured murine bone marrow cells incubated in the presence (+) or absence (-) of 100 μg per ml peptides derived from natural casein is expressed as the fraction of total radioactivity released from the YAC cells into the culture supernatant (% Release 35S). Figure 1 a represents NK activity at an effectontargetcell ratio of 25:1. Figure 1b represents NK activity at an effectortargetcell ratio of 50:1. FIG. 2 depicts the stimulation of Natural Killer (NK) cell activity in cultured human Peripheral Blood Stem Cells (PBSC) by peptides derived from natural casein. Lysis of 35S labeled K562 target cells by cultured human PBSC from Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) treated donors incubated without (0 g) or with increasing concentrations (25 - 500 μg per ml) of peptides derived from natural casein is expressed as the fraction of total radioactivity released from the K562 cells into the culture supernatant (% Release 35S). Squares represent an effectortarget cell ratio of 100:1 , triangles represent an effectortarget cell ratio of 50:1 .

FIGs. 3a-3b depict the stimulation of proliferation of Natural Killer (NK) and T-lymphocyte (T) cells from cultured human Peripheral Blood Stem Cells (PBSC) by peptides derived from natural casein. NK and T cell proliferation in cultured PBSC from Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor treated donors incubated with or without peptides derived from natural casein is expressed as the percentage (%) of cells binding the anti-CD^FITC fluorescent anti-T cell antibody UCHT or the anti CD56 RPE fluorescent anti-NK cell antibody MOC-1 (DAKO A S Denmark). Controls 151351 /3 are FITC and RPE-conjugated anti-mouse IgG antibody. Figure 3a represents the percentage of cultured human PBSC binding fluorescent antibody CD56 (2 independent samples) after 10 days incubation with (CD56 + peptides) or without (CD56) 100 g per ml peptides derived from natural casein. Figure 3b represents the percentage of cultured human PBSC cells binding fluorescent anti-CD3 (T cell) antibody, anti-CD56 (NK cell) antibody and cells binding both CD3 and CD56 (T and NK-like cells) antibodies after 28 days incubation with (+28) or without (-28) 100 μg per ml peptides derived from natural casein.

FIG. 4 depicts the stimulation of Natural Killer (NK) cell activity in cultured human Peripheral Blood Stem Cells (PBSC) by synthetic casein derived peptides. Lysis of 35S labeled K562 target cells by cultured human PBSC (from a breast cancer patient) incubated without (0 g) or with increasing concentrations (10 - 500 g per ml) of synthetic peptides derived from casein is expressed as the fraction of total radioactivity released from the K562 cells into the culture supernatant (% Release). Peptides represent N-terminal sequences of 1 -8 (8), 1 -12 (12), 1 -22 (J), 1 -24 (L), 1 -25 (M) and 1 -26 (N) first amino acids of the N terminus portion of aS1 casein (see Table 3 below for sequences of synthetic peptides).

FIG. 5a-c depict the stimulation of proliferation of cultured human cells of diverse origin by peptides derived from natural casein. Proliferation of the cultured human cells after 1 -21 days incubation with increasing concentrations of the peptides derived from natural casein is expressed as the amount of [3H]-thymidine incorporated into each sample. Figure 5a represents the incorporation of label into two samples (PBSC 1 , 15 days incubation; and PBSC 2, 20 days incubation) of human Peripheral Blood Stem Cells incubated with or without (ctrl) 50 - 600 g per ml peptides derived from natural casein. Figure 5b represents the incorporation of pHJ-thymidine into cultured human bone marrow cells after 21 days incubation with or without (ctrl) 50 - 600 μg per ml peptides derived from natural casein. Bone marrow was donated by cancer patients in remission (BM Auto, B I and BM 2) or healthy volunteers (BM normal). Figure 5c represents incorporation of pH]-thymidine into cultured human Cord Blood cells after 14 days incubation with or without (ctrl) 50- 1000 g per ml peptides derived from natural casein. Cord Blood cells were donated by two separate donors (C.B. 1 , C.B. 2).

FIG. 6 shows a Table depicting the proliferation of blood cell progenitors from human bone marrow and cord blood in response to incubation with peptides derived from natural casein. The relative cell number x 104 per ml, reflecting the proliferation of cultured cells, was determined by counting cells as described in the Examples section that follows. Bone marrow from healthy volunteers (Bone Marrow) and Cord Blood from normal births (Cord Blood) was incubated for 13 (Cord Blood) or 14 (Bone Marrow) days in the presence of growth factors and AB serum, with or without increasing concentrations of peptides derived from natural casein (25-500 μα/ml).

FIG. 7 depicts the stimulation of peripheral white blood cell reconstitution in myeloablated, bone marrow transplanted mice in response to treatment with peptides derived from natural casein. Cell counts represent the number of white blood cells (x 106 per ml, as counted in a haemocytometer). The mice (n = 10 per group) received lethal irradiation and syngeneic bone marrow transplantation (106 cells per mouse) on day 9.6, and intravenous administration of 1 mg per recipient peptides derived from natural casein (TEST: -+- ) or 1 mg per recipient human serum albumin (CONTROL: ---) .

FIG. 8 depicts the stimulation of platelet reconstitution in myeloablated, bone marrow transplanted mice in response to treatment with peptides derived from natural casein. Platelet (PLT) counts represent the number of thrombocytes (x 103 per ml, as counted in a haemocytometer). The mice (n = 60 per group) received lethal irradiation and syngeneic bone marrow transplantation (106 cells per mouse) on day 1 , and intravenous administration of 1 mg per recipient peptides derived from natural casein (Peptides: closed squares) or 1 mg per recipient human serum albumin (HSA: open squares).

FIGs. 9a-f depict the penetration and nuclear uptake of FITC-conjugated peptides derived from natural casein in cultured human T-lymphocyte cells, as recorded by fluorescent microscopy. F1 and F2 are identical fractions of the FITC-conjugated peptides derived from natural casein. Sup-Τ·, cells were incubated with 100 μg per ml FITC-conjugated peptides derived from natural casein as described in the Examples section that follows. At the indicated times, the cells were washed of free label, fixed in formalin and prepared for viewing and recording by Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy. Figures 9a through 9f are selected images of cells from consecutive incubation times, demonstrating FITC-conjugated peptides derived from natural casein penetrating the Sup-T, cell membrane (Figures 9a, 9b) and concentrating in the nucleus (Figures 9c- 9f).

FIG. 10 shows a Table depicting the stimulation of Sup-T-, Lymphocyte cell proliferation in response to incubation with peptides derived from natural casein. Sup-T., cells (5000 per well) were incubated with increasing concentrations (50 - 1000 μg per ml) of peptides derived from natural casein, counted in their wells at the indicated times post culture and pulsed with pH]-thymidine for 18 hours. Proliferation index is the ratio of the average of the incorporation of pHj-thymidine into triplicate samples divided by the incorporation into cells cultured without peptides derived from natural casein (control).

FIG. 1 1 depicts the prevention by peptides derived from natural casein of Juvenile (Type I, IDDM) Diabetes in female Non Obese Diabetic mice. Glucosuria was monitored at intervals during 230 days post treatment in female NOD 151351 /3 mice receiving a once or twice weekly injection of 100 μg peptides derived from natural casein for 5 weeks (6 or 1 1 injections total) (triangles and squares) and untreated controls. All the controls developed glucosuria and subsequently died.

FIG. 12 shows a Table depicting the stimulation of hematopoiesis in cancer patients in response to injections of peptides derived from natural casein. Peripheral blood from five female cancer patients either receiving or having received chemotherapy, as described above, was counted fortotal White Blood Cells (WBC, x 103), Platelets (PLT, x 103), Erythrocytes (RBC, x 103) and Hemoglobin (gm per dl) before (n) and after (n +...) intramuscular injections with peptides derived from natural casein, as described above. Patient 1 relates to G.T.; patient 2 relates to E.C.; patient 3 relates to E.S.; patient 4 relates to J.R. and patient 5 relates to D.M.

FIG. 13 depicts the stimulation by peptides derived from natural casein of thrombocytopoiesis in a platelet-resistant patient with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (M-1 ). Thrombocyte reconstitution was expressed as the change in platelet content of peripheral blood (PLA, x 106 per ml), counted as described above at the indicated intervals following intramuscular injection (as described in the Examples section that follows) of 100 g peptides derived from natural casein.

FIG. 14 depicts the stimulation by peptides derived from natural casein of thrombocytopoiesis in a platelet-resistant patient with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (M-2). Thrombocyte reconstitution was expressed as the change in platelet content of peripheral blood (PLA, x 10s per ml), counted as described above at the indicated intervals following intramuscular injection (as described in the Examples section that follows) of 100 g peptides derived from natural casein.

[0022] The present invention is of biologically active peptides that are derived from or are similarto sequences identical with the N-terminus of the «S1 fraction of milk casein, compositions containing same and methods of utilizing same in, for example, stimulating and enhancing immune response, protecting against viral infection, normalizing serum cholesterol levels, and stimulating hematopoiesis. The casein-derived peptides are non-toxic and can be used to treat and prevent, for example, immune pathologies, hypercholesterolemia, hematological disorders and viral-related diseases.

[0023] The principles and operation of the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and accompanying descriptions.

[0024] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details set forth in the following description or exemplified by the Examples. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0025] As used herein, the term "treating" includes substantially inhibiting, slowing or reversing the progression of a disease, substantially ameliorating clinical symptoms of a disease.

[0026] As used herein, the term "preventing" includes substantially preventing the appearance of clinical symptoms of a disease.

[0027] As used herein the term "peptide" includes native peptides (either degradation products, synthetically synthesized peptides or recombinant peptides) and peptido-mimetics (typically, synthetically synthesized peptides), such as peptoids andsemipeptoids which are peptide analogs, which may have, for example, modifications rendering the peptides more stable while in a body. Such modifications include, but are not limited to, cyclization, N terminus modification, C terminus modification, peptide bond modification, including, but not limited to, CH2-NH, CH2-S, CH2-S=0, 0=C-NH, CH2-0, CH2-CH2, S=C-NH, CH=CH or CF=CH, backbone modification and residue modification. Methods for preparing peptidomimetic compounds are well known in the art and are specified, for example, in Quantitative Drug Design, C.A. Ramsden Gd., Chapter 17.2, F. Choplin Pergamon Press (1992).

[0028] Thus, a peptide according to the present invention can be a cyclic peptide. Cyclization can be obtained, for example, through amide bond formation, e.g., by incorporating Glu, Asp, Lys, Orn, di-amino butyric (Dab) acid, di-aminopropionic (Dap) acid at various positions in the chain (-CO-NH or NH-CO bonds). Backbone to backbone cyclization can also be obtained through incorporation of modified amino acids of the formulas H-N((CH2)n-COOH)-C(R)H-COOH or H-N((CH2)n-COOH)-C(R)H-NH2, wherein n = 1 -4, and further wherein R is any natural or non-natural side chain of an amino acid.

[0029] Cyclization via formation of S-S bonds through incorporation of two Cys residues is also possible. Additional side-chain to side chain cyclization can be obtained via formation of an interaction bond of the formula -(-CH2-)n-S-CH2-C-, wherein n = 1 or 2, which is possible, for example, through incorporation of Cys or homoCys and reaction of its free SH group with, e.g., bromoacetylated Lys, Orn, Dab or Dap.

[0030] Peptide bonds (-CO-NH-) within the peptide may be substituted, for example, by N-methylated bonds (-N (CHg)-CO-), ester bonds (-C(R)H-C-0-0-C(R)-N-), ketomethyten bonds (-CO-CH2-), a-aza bonds (-NH-N(R)-CO-), wherein R is any alkyl, e.g., methyl, carba bonds (-CH2-NH-), hydroxyethylene bonds (-CH(OH)-CH -), thioamide bonds (-CS-NH-), olefinic double bonds (-CH=CH-), retro amide bonds (-NH-CO-), peptide derivatives (-N(R)-CH2-CO-), where- 151351 /3 in R is the "normal" side chain, naturally presented on the carbon atom.

[0031] These modifications can occur at any of the bonds along the peptide chain and even at several (2-3) at the same time.

[0032] Natural aromatic amino acids, Tip, Tyr and Phe, may be substituted for synthetic non-natural acid such as TIC, naphthylelanine (Nol), ring-methylated derivatives of Phe, halogenated derivatives of Phe or o-methyl-Tyr.

[0033] Tables 1 -2 below list all the naturally occurring amino acids (Table 1 ) and non-conventional or modified amino acids (T able 2).

Table 1 Amino Acid Three-Letter Abbreviation One-letter Symbol Alanine Ala A Arginine Arg R Asparagine Asn N Aspartic acid Asp D Cysteine Cys C Glutamine Gin Q Glutamic Acid Glu E Glycine Gly G Histidine His H Isoleucine lie I Leucine Leu L Lysine Lys K Methionine Met M Phenylalanine Phe F Proline Pro P Serine Ser S Threonine Thr T Tryptophan Trp w Tyrosine Tyr Y Valine Val V Any amino acid as above Xaa X Table 2 Non-conventional amino acid Code Non-conventional amino acid Code ct-aminobutyric acid Abu L-N-methylalanine Nmala o-amino-a-methylbutyrate Mgabu L-N-methylarginine Nmarg aminocyclopropane- Cpro L-N-methylasparagine Nmasn carboxylate L-N-methylaspartic acid Nmasp aminoisobutyric acid Aib L-N-Methylcysteine Nmcys aminonorbornyl- Norb L-N-methylglutamine Nmgin carboxylate L-N-methylglutamic acid Hmglu cyclohexylalanine Chexa L-N-methylhistidine Nmhis 151351/3 (continued) Non-conventional amino acid Code Non-conventional amino acid Code cyclopentylalanine Cpen L-N-methylisolleucine Nmile D-alanine Dal L-N-methylleucine Nmleu D-arginine Darg L-N-methyllysine Nmlys D-aspartic acid Dasp L-N-methylmethionine Nmmet D-cysteine Dcys L-N-methylnorleucine Nmnle D-glutamine Dgln L-N-methylnorvaline Nmnva D-glutamic acid Dglu L-N-methylomithine Nmorn D-histidine Dhis L-N-methylp enylalanine Nmphe D-isoleucine Dile L-N-methylproline Nmpro D-leucine Dleu L-N-methylserine Nmser D-lysine Dlys L-N-methylthreonine Nmthr D-methionine Dmet L-N-methyltryptop an Nmtrp D-ornithine Dorn L-N-methyltyrosine Nmtyr D-phenylalanine Dphe L-N-methylvaline Nmval D-proline Dpro L-N-met ylethylglycine Nmetg D-serine Dser L-N-methyl-t-butylglycine Nmtbug D-threonine Dthr L-norleucine Nle D-tryptophan Dtrp L-norvaline Nva D-tyrosine Dtyr a-methyl-aminoisobutyrate aib D-valine Dval a-methyl-y-aminobutyrate Mgabu D-a-methylalanine Dmala a-methylcyclohexylalanine Mchexa D-oc-methylarginine Dmarg a-methylcyclopentylalanine Mcpen D-a-methylasparagine Dmasn a-methyl-a-napthylalanine Manap D-a-methylaspartate Dmasp a-methylpenicillamine pen D-g-methylcysteine Dmcys N-(4-aminobutyl)glycine Nglu D-a-methylglutamine Dmgln N-(2-aminoethyl)glycine Naeg D-re-methylhistidine Dmhis N-(3-aminopropyl)glycine Norn D-a-methylisoleucine Dmile N-amino-o-methylbutyrate Nmaabu D-a-methylleucine Dmleu a-napthylalanine Anap D-a-methyllysine Dmlys N-benzylglycine Nphe D-a-methylmethionine Dmmet N-(2-carbamylethyl)glycine Ngln D-a-methylornithine Dmorn N-(carbamylmethyl)glycine Nasn D-a-methylphenylalanine Dmphe N-(2-carboxyethyl)glycine Nglu D-a-methylproline Dmpro N-(carboxymethyl)glycine Nasp D-a-methylserine Dmser N-cyclobutylglycine Ncbut D-a-methylthreonine Dmthr N-cycloheptylglycine Nchep D-a-methyltryptophan Dmtrp N-cyclohexylglycine Nchex D-a-methyltyrosine Dmty N-cyclodecylglycine Ncdec 151351 /3 (continued) Non-conventional amino acid Code Non-conventional amino acid Code D-oc-methylvaline Dmval N-cyclododeclglycine Ncdod D-w-methylalnine Dnmala N-cyclooctylglycine Ncoct D-a-methylaginine Dnmarg N-cyclopropylglycine Ncpro D-a-methylasparagine Dnmasn N-cycloundecylglycine Ncund D-a-methylasparatate Dnmasp N-(2,2-diphenylethyl)glycine Nbhm D-a-methylcysteine Onmcys N-(3,3-diphenylpropyl)glycine Nbhe D-N-methylleucine Dnmleu N-(3-indolylyethyl) glycine Nhtrp D-N-methyl lysine Dnmlys N-methyl-Y-aminobutyrate Nmgabu N-methylcyclohexylalanine Nmchexa D-N-methylmethionine Dnmmet D-N-methylornithine Dnmorn N-methylcyclopentylalanine Nmcpen N-methylglycine Nala D-N-methylphenylalanine Dnmphe N-methylaminoisobutyrate Nmaib D-N-methylproline Dnmpro N-(1 -methylpropyl)glycine Nile D-N-methylserine Dnmser N-(2-methylpropyl)glycine Nile D-N-methylserine Dnmser N-(2-methylpropyl)glycine Nleu D-N-methylthreonine Dnmthr D-N-methyltryptophan Dnmtrp N-(1 -methylethyl)glycine Nva D-N-methyltyrosine - Dnmtyr N-methyla-napthylalanine Nmanap D-N-methylvaline Dnmval N-methylpenicillamine Nmpen γ-aminobutyric acid Gabu N-(p-hydroxyphenyl)glycine Nhtyr L-t-butylglycine Tbug N-(thiomethyl)glycine Ncys L-ethylglycine Etg penicillamine Pen L-homophenylalanine Hphe L-a-methylalanine Mala L-a-methylarginine Marg L-a-methylasparagine Masn L-ct-methylaspartate Masp L-a-methyl-t-butylglycine Mtbug L-ct-methylcystcine Mcys L-methylethylglycine Metg L-a-methylglutamine Mgln L-aa-methylglutamate Mglu L-a-methylhistidine his L-ct-methylhomo phenylalanine Mhphe L-a-methylisoleucine Mile N-(2-methylthioethyl)glycine Nmet D-N-methylglutamine Dnmgln N-(3-guanidinopropyl)glycine Narg D-N-methylglutamate Dnmglu N-(1 -hydroxyethyl)glycine Nthr D-N-methylhistidine Dnmhis N-(hydroxyethyl)glycine Nser D-N-methylisoleucine Dnmile N-(imidazolylethyl)glycine Nhis D-N-methylleucine Dnmleu N-(3-indolylyethyl)glycine Nhtrp D-N-methyllysine Dnmlys N-methyl-^-aminobutyrate Nmgabu N-methylcyclohexylalanine Nmchexa D-N-methylmethionine Dnmmet D-N-methylornithine Dnmorn N-methylcyclopentylalanine Nmcpen N-methylglycine Nala D-N-methylphenylalanine Dnmphe N-methylaminoisobutyrate Nmaib D-N-methylproline Dnmpro 151351 /3 (continued) Non-conventional amino acid Code Non-conventional amino acid Code N-(1 -methylpropyl)glycine Nile D-N-methylserine Dnmser N-(2-methylpropyl)glycine Nleu D-N-methylthreonine Dnmthr D-N-methyltrytophan Dnmtrp N-(1 -methylethyl)glycine Nval D-N-methyltyrosine Dnmtyr N-methyla-napthylalanine Nmanap D-N-methylvaline Dnmval N-methylpenicillamine Nmpen aminobutyric acid Gabu N-(p-hydroxyphenyl)glycine Nhtyr L-t-butylglycine Tbug N-(thiomethyl)glycine Ncys L-ethylglycine Etg penicillamine Pen L-homophenylalanine Hphe L-a-methylalanine Mala L-a-methylarginine Marg L-a-Methylasparagine Masn L-a-methyl aspartate Masp L-a-methyl-t-butylglycine Mtbug L-a-methylcysteine cys L-methylethylglycine Metg L-a-methylglutamine Mgln L-a-methylglutamate Mglu L-a-methylhistidine Mhis methylhomophenylalanine Mhphe L-a-methylisoleucine Mile N-(2-methylthioethyl)glycine Nmet L-a-methylleucine leu L-a-methyllysine Mlys L-a-methylmethionine Mmet L-a-methylnorleucine Mnle L-a-methyl norvaline Mnva L-a-methylomithine Morn L-a-methylphenylalanine Mphe L-a-methylproline Mpro L-a-methylserine mser L-a-methylthreonine Mthr L-a-methylvaline Mtrp L-a-methyltyrosine Mtyr L-cta-methylleucine val L-N-methylhomophenylalanine Nmhphe Nnbhm N-(N-(2,2-diphenylethyl) N-(N-(3,3-diphenylpropyl) carbamylmethyl-glycine Nnbhm carbamylmethyl(1 )glycine Nnbhe 1 -carboxy-1 -(2,2-diphenyl Nmbc ethylaminojcyclopropane

[0034] A peptide according to the present invention can be used in a self standing form or be a part of moieties such as proteins and display moieties such as display bacteria and phages. The peptides of the invention can also be chemically modified to give active dimers or multimers, in one polypeptide chain or covalently crosslinked chains.

[0035] Additionally, a peptide according to the present invention includes at least four, optionally at least five, optionally at least six, optionally at least seven, optionally at least eight, optionally at least nine, optionally at least ten, optionally at least eleven, optionally at least twelve, optionally at least thirteen, optionally at least fourteen, optionally at leastfifteen, optionally at least sixteen, optionally at least seventeen, optionally at least eighteen, optionally at least nineteen, optionally at least twenty, optionally at least twenty-one, optionally at least twenty-two, optionally at least twenty-three, optionally at least twenty-four, optionally at least twenty-five, optionally at least twenty-six, optionally between twenty-seven and sixty, or more amino acid residues (also referred to herein interchangeably as amino acids).

[0036] Accordingly, as used herein the term "amino acid" or "amino acids" is understood to include the 20 naturally occurring amino acids; those amino acids often modified post-translationally in vivo, including, for example, hydroxy-proline, phosphoserine and phosphothreonine; and other unusual amino acids including, but not limited to, 2-aminoadipic acid, hydroxyzine, isodesmosine, nor-valine, nor-leucine and ornithine. Furthermore, the term "amino acid" includes both D- and L-amino acids. 151351 /3

[0037] As used herein the phrase "derived from an N terminus portion of ceS1 casein" refers to peptides as this term is defined herein, e.g., cleavage products of ocS1 casein (referred to herein as peptides derived from natural casein), synthetic peptides chemically synthesized to correspond to the amino acid sequence of an N terminus portion of otS1 casein (referred to herein as synthetic peptides derived from casein), peptides similar (homologous) to an N terminus portion of «S1 casein, for example, peptides characterized by one or more amino acid substitutions, such as, but not limited to, permissible substitutions, provided that at least 70 %, preferably at least 80 %, more preferably at least 90 % similarity is maintained, and functional homologues thereof. The terms "homologues" and "functional homologues" as used herein mean peptides with any insertions, deletions and substitutions which do not affect the biological activity of the peptide.

[0038] As used herein the term "ctS1 casein" refers to ocS1 casein of a mammal, including, but not limited to, live-stock mammals (e.g., cow, sheep, goat, mare, camel, deer and buffalo) human beings and marine mammals. The following provides a list of otS1 caseins having a known amino acid sequence, identified by their GenBank (NCBI) Accession Nos. and source: CAA26982 (Ovis aries (sheep)), CAA51022 (Capra ircus (goat)), CAA42516 [Bos taurus (bovine)), CAA55185 (Homo sapiens), CAA38717 (Sus scrofa (pig)), P091 15 (rabit) and 097943 [Camelus dromedurius (camel)).

[0039] As used herein the term "N terminus portion" refers to amino acids of aS1 casein derived from the first 60 amino acids of aS1 casein, wherein M is any of the integers between 5 and 60 (including the integers 5 and 60). Preferably, the term refers to the first M amino acids of S1 casein.

[0040] The peptides of the invention can be obtained by extraction from milk as previously described, or by solid phase peptide synthesis, which is a standard method known to the man skilled in the art. Purification of the peptides of the invention is performed by standard techniques, known to the man skilled in the art, such as high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Milk casein fragmentation to obtain the peptides of the invention may be effected using various enzymatic and/or chemical means.

[0041] As is further detailed hereinunder and exemplified in the Examples section that follows, the peptides of the present invention have a variety of therapeutic effects. In the Examples section there are provided numerous assays with which one of ordinary skills in the art can test a specific peptide designed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention for a specific therapeutic effect.

[0042] Any of the peptides described herein can be administered per se or be formulated into a pharmaceutical composition which can be used for treating or preventing a disease. Such a composition includes as an active ingredient any of the peptides described herein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

[0043] As used herein a "pharmaceutical composition" refers to a preparation of one or more of the peptides described herein, with other chemical components such as pharmaceutically suitable carriers and excipients. The purpose of a pharmaceutical composition is to facilitate administration of a compound to an organism.

[0044] Hereinafter, the term "pharmaceutically acceptable carrier" refers to a carrier or a diluent that does not cause significant irritation to an organism and does not abrogate the biological activity and properties of the administered compound. Examples, without limitations, of carriers are: propylene glycol, saline, emulsions and mixtures of organic solvents with water. Herein the term "excipient" refers to an inert substance added to a pharmaceutical composition to further facilitate administration of a compound. Examples, without limitation, of excipients include calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, various sugars and types of starch, cellulose derivatives, gelatin, vegetable oils and polyethylene glycols.

[0045] Techniques for formulation and administration of drugs may be found in "Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences," Mack Publishing Co., Easton, PA, latest edition.

[0046] Suitable routes of administration may, for example, include oral, rectal, transmucosal, transdermal, intestinal or parenteral delivery, including intramuscular, subcutaneous and intramedullary injections as well as intrathecal, direct intraventricular, intravenous, intraperitoneal, intranasal, or intraocular injections.

[0047] Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be manufactured by processes well known in the art, e.g., by means of conventional mixing, dissolving, granulating, dragee-making, levigating, emulsifying, encapsulating, entrapping or lyophilizing processes.

[0048] Pharmaceutical compositions for use in accordance with the present invention thus may be formulated in conventional manner using one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers comprising excipients and auxiliaries, which facilitate processing of the active peptides into preparations which, can be used pharmaceutically. Proper formulation is dependent upon the route of administration chosen.

[0049] For injection, the peptides of the invention may be formulated in aqueous solutions, preferably in physiologically compatible buffers such as Hank's solution, Ringer's solution, or physiological saline buffer with or without organic solvents such as propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol. For transmucosal administration, penetrants are used in the formulation. Such penetrants are generally known in the art.

[0050] For oral administration, the peptides can be formulated readily by combining the active peptides with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers well known in the art. Such carriers enable the peptides of the invention to be formulated as tablets, pills, dragees, capsules, liquids, gels, syrups, slurries, suspensions, and the like, for oral ingestion by a patient. 151351 /3 Pharmacological preparations for oral use can be made using a solid excipient, optionally grinding the resulting mixture, and processing the mixture of granules, after adding suitable auxiliaries if desired, to obtain tablets or dragee cores. Suitable excipients are, in particular, fillers such as sugars, including lactose, sucrose, mannitol, or sorbitol; cellulose preparations such as, for example, maize starch, wheat starch, rice starch, potato starch, gelatin, gum tragacanth, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl-cellulose, sodium carbomethylcellulose; and/or physiologically acceptable polymers such as polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). If desired, disintegrating agents may be added, such as cross-linked polyvinyl pyrrolidone, agar, or alginic acid or a salt thereof such as sodium alginate.

[0051] Dragee cores are provided with suitable coatings. For this purpose, concentrated sugar solutions may be used which may optionally contain gum arabic, talc, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, carbopoi gel, polyethylene glycol, titanium dioxide, lacquer solutions and suitable organic solvents or solvent mixtures. Dyestuffs or pigments may be added to the tablets or dragee coatings for identification or to characterize different combinations of active ingredient doses.

[0052] Pharmaceutical compositions, which can be used orally, include push-fit capsules made of gelatin as well as soft, sealed capsules made of gelatin and a plasticizer, such as glycerol or sorbitol. The push-fit capsules may contain the active ingredients in admixture with filter such as lactose, binders such as starches, lubricants such as talc or magnesium stearate and, optionally, stabilizers. In soft capsules, the active peptides may be dissolved or suspended in suitable liquids, such as fatty oils, liquid paraffin, or liquid polyethylene glycols. In addition, stabilizers may be added. All formulations for oral administration should be in dosages suitable for the chosen route of administration.

[0053] For buccal administration, the compositions may take the form of tablets or lozenges formulated in conventional manner.

[0054] For administration by inhalation, the peptides according to the present invention are conveniently delivered in the form of an aerosol spray presentation from a pressurized pack or a nebulizer with the use of a suitable propellant, e.g., dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane, dichlorotetrafluoroethane or carbon dioxide. In the case of a pressurized aerosol, the dosage unit may be determined by providing a valve to deliver a metered amount. Capsules and cartridges of, e.g., gelatin for use in an inhaler or insufflator may be formulated containing a powder mix of the compound and a suitable powder base such as lactose or starch.

[0055] The peptides described herein may be formulated for parenteral administration, e.g., by bolus injection or continuos infusion. Formulations for injection may be presented in unit dosage form, e.g., in ampoules or in multidose containers with optionally, an added preservative. The compositions may be suspensions, solutions or emulsions in oily or aqueous vehicles, and may contain formulatory agents such as suspending, stabilizing and/or dispersing agents.

[0056] Pharmaceutical compositions for parenteral administration include aqueous solutions of the active preparation in water-soluble form. Additionally, suspensions of the active peptides may be prepared as appropriate oily injection suspensions. Suitable lipophilic solvents or vehicles include fatty oils such as sesame oil, or synthetic fatty acids esters such as ethyl oleate, triglycerides or liposomes, Aqueous injection suspensions may contain substances, which increase the viscosity of the suspension, such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, sorbitol or dextran. Optionally, the suspension may also contain suitable stabilizers or agents which increase the solubility of the peptides to allow for the preparation of highly concentrated solutions.

[0057] Alternatively, the active ingredient may be in powder form for constitution with a suitable vehicle, e.g., sterile, pyrogen-free water, before use.

[0058] The peptides of the present invention may also be formulated in rectal compositions such as suppositories or retention enemas, using, e.g., conventional suppository bases such as cocoa butter or other glycerides.

[0059] The pharmaceutical compositions herein described may also comprise suitable solid of gel phase carriers or excipients. Examples of such carriers or excipients include, but are not limited to, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, various sugars, starches, cellulose derivatives, gelatin and polymers such as polyethylene glycols.

[0060] Persons ordinarily skilled in the art can easily determine optimum dosages and dosing methodology for any of the peptides of the invention.

[0061] For any peptide used in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a therapeutically effective amount, also referred to as a therapeutically effective dose, which can be estimated initially from cell culture assays or in vivo animal assays. For example, a dose can be formulated in animal models to achieve a circulating concentration range that includes the IC50 or the IC100 as determined in cell culture. Such information can be used to more accurately determine useful doses in humans. Initial dosages can also be estimated from in vivo data. Using these initial guidelines one having ordinary skill in the art could determine an effective dosage in humans.

[0062] Moreover, toxicity and therapeutic efficacy of the peptides described herein can be determined by standard pharmaceutical procedures in cell cultures or experimental animals, e.g., by determining the LD50 and the ED50. The dose ratio between toxic and therapeutic effect is the therapeutic index and can be expressed as the ratio between LD50 and ED50. Peptides which exhibit high therapeutic indices are preferred. The data obtained from these cell cultures assays and animal studies can be used in formulating a dosage range that is not toxic for use in human. The dosage of such peptides lies preferably within a range of circulating concentrations that include the ED50 with little or no toxicity. The dosage may vary within this range depending upon the dosage form employed and the route of administration 151351/3 utilized. The exact formulation, route of administration and dosage can be chosen by the individual physician in view of the patient's condition (see, e.g., Fingl et al., 1975, In: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, chapter 1 , page 1 ).

[0063] Dosage amount and interval may be adjusted individually to provide plasma levels of the active ingredient which are sufficientto maintain therapeutic effect. Usual patient dosages for oral administration range from about 50-2000 mg/kg/administration, commonly from about 100-1000 mg/kg/administration, preferably from about 150-700 mg kg administration and most preferably from about 250-500 mg/kg/administration. In some cases, therapeutically effective serum levels will be achieved by administering multiple doses each day. In cases of local administration or selective uptake, the effective local concentration of the drug may not be related to plasma concentration. One having skill in the art will be able to optimize therapeutically effective local dosages without undue experimentation.

[0064] Depending on the severity and responsiveness of the condition to be treated, dosing can also be a single administration of a slow release composition, with course of treatment lasting from several days to several weeks or until cure .is effected or diminution of the disease state is achieved.

[0065] The amount of a composition to be administered will, of course, be dependent on the subject being treated, the severity of the affliction, the manner of administration, the judgment of the prescribing physician, etc. Compositions of the present invention may, if desired, be presented in a pack or dispenser device, such as an FDA approved kit, which may contain one or more unit dosage forms containing the active ingredient The pack may, for example, comprise metal or plastic foil, such as a blister pack. The pack or dispenser device may be accompanied by instructions for administration. The pack or dispenser may also be accompanied by a notice associated with the container in a form prescribed by a governmental agency regulating the manufacture, use or sale of pharmaceuticals, which notice is reflective of approval by the agency of the form of the compositions or human or veterinary administration. Such notice, for example, may be of labeling approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for prescription drugs or of an approved product insert. Compositions comprising a peptide of the invention formulated in a compatible pharmaceutical carrier may also be prepared, placed in an appropriate container, and labeled fortreatment or prevention of an indicated condition or induction of a desired event. Suitable indica on the label may include treatment and/or prevention of an autoimmune disease, a viral disease, viral infection, thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia, granulocytopenia, hyperlipidemia, cholesteremia, gluco-suria and diabetes, or induction of hematopoiesis, hematopoietic stem cells proliferation, hematopoietic stem cells proliferation and differentiation, megakaryocytopoiesis, erythropoiesis, leukocytopoiesis and/or thrombocytopoiesis.

[0066] The pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention may be useful in maintaining and/or restoring blood system constituents, in balancing blood cell counts, in balancing levels of metabolites in the blood including sugar, cholesterol, calcium, uric acid, urea and enzymes such as alkaline phosphatase. Further, the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may be useful in inducing blood cell proliferation, modulating white and/or red blood cell counts, particularly increasing white and/or red blood cell counts, elevating haemoglobin blood level and in modulating platelet counts.

[0067] The term "balancing" as used herein with relation to levels of certain physiological parameters, means changing the levels of referred parameters and bringing them closer to normal values.

[0068] The term "normal values" as used herein with relation to physiological parameters, means values which are in the range of values of healthy humans or animals.

[0069] In specifically preferred embodiments, the peptides of the invention balance counts of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and haemoglobin level. The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may be used for activating blood cell proliferation.

[0070] In addition, the pharmaceutical compositions may be used for the treatment and/or prevention of hemopoietic stem cell disorders, including platelet, lymphocyte, plasma cell and nutrophil disorders, as well as deficiency and malfunction in pre-leukemic and leukemic conditions and thrombocytopenia. [0071 ] The compositions of the invention may also be intended for veterinary use.

[0072] The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may be used in the treatment and/or prevention of, for example, disorders involves abnormal levels of blood cells, disorders involving hemopoietic stem cells production and differentiation, treatment of platelet, lymphocyte and/or nutrophil disorders, forthe treatment of pre-leukemic and leukemic conditions and for the treatment of thrombocytopenia.

[0073] Further according to the present invention there is provided a use of a peptide derived from an N terminus portion of aS1 casein in the manufacture of a medicament for inducing hematopoiesis, including inducing hematopoietic stem cells proliferation and differentiation, inducing megakaryocytopoiesis, inducing erythropoiesis, inducing leukocytopoiesis, and inducing thrombocytopoiesis.

[0074] Further according to the present invention there is provided a use of a peptide derived from an N terminus portion of otS1 casein in the manufacture of a medicament for preventing or treating thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia, or granulocytopenia.

[0075] Further according to the present invention there is provided a pharmaceutical composition for use in inducing hematopoiesis, the pharmaceutical composition comprising, as an active ingredient, a peptide derived from an N terminus portion of aS1 casein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 151351 /3

[0076] Further according to the present invention there is provided a pharmaceutical composition for use in inducing hematopoietic stem cells proliferation, the pharmaceutical composition comprising, as an active ingredient, a peptide derived from an N terminus portion of aS1 casein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

[0077] Further according to the present invention there is provided a pharmaceutical composition for use in inducing hematopoietic stem cells proliferation and differentiation, the pharmaceutical composition comprising, as an active ingredient, a peptide derived from an N terminus portion of aS1 casein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

[0078] Further according to the present invention there is provided a pharmaceutical composition for use in inducing megakaryocytopoiesis, the pharmaceutical composition comprising, as an active ingredient, a peptide derived from an N terminus portion of ctS1 casein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

[0079] Further according to the present invention there is provided a pharmaceutical composition for use in inducing erythropoiesis, the pharmaceutical composition comprising, as an active ingredient, a peptide derived from an N terminus portion of S1 casein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

[0080] Further according to the present invention there is provided a pharmaceutical composition for use in inducing leukocytopoiesis, the pharmaceutical composition comprising, as an active ingredient, a peptide derived from an N terminus portion of ctS1 casein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

[0081] Further according to the present invention there is provided a pharmaceutical composition for use in inducing thrombocytopoiesis, the pharmaceutical composition comprising, as an active ingredient, a peptide derived from an N terminus portion of ocS1 casein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

[0082] Further according to the present invention there is provided a pharmaceutical composition for use in preventing or treating thrombocytopenia, the pharmaceutical composition comprising, as an active ingredient, a peptide derived from an N terminus portion of aS1 casein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

[0083] Further according to the present invention there is provided a pharmaceutical composition for use in preventing or treating pancytopenia, the pharmaceutical composition comprising, as an active ingredient, a peptide derived from an N terminus portion of o S1 casein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

[0084] Further according to the present invention there is provided a pharmaceutical composition for use in preventing or treating granulocytopenia, pharmaceutical composition comprising, as an active ingredient, a peptide derived from an N terminus portion of otS1 casein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

[0085] Further according to the present invention there is provided a purified peptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 18 or 19.

[0086] Further according to the present invention there is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising a purified peptide having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 18 or 19 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

[0087] The present invention successfully addresses the shortcomings of the presently known configurations by providing peptides for the treatment of human disease, which peptides are derived from the N terminus portion of a S 1 casein and posses no detectable toxicity and high therapeutic efficacy.

[0088] Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become apparent to one ordinarily skilled in the art upon examination of the following examples, which are not intended to be limiting. Additionally, each of the various embodiments and aspects of the present invention as delineated hereinabove and as claimed in the claims section below finds experimental support in the following examples.

EXAMPLES

[0089] Reference is now made to the following examples, which together with the above descriptions, illustrate the invention in a non limiting fashion.

Materials and Experimental Methods

[0090] Preparation of peptides derived from natural casein: The casein fraction of cow milk was isolated as described by Hipp ef al. (1952), ibid., and subjected to exhaustive proteolytic digestion with chymosin (also known as rennin) (20 ng per ml) at 30 °C. Upon completion of the reaction, the solution was heated to inactivate the enzyme, and the digest was precipitated as paracaseinate by acidification with an organic acid, acetic or trichloracetic acid. Paraca-seinate was separated by centrifugation, and the supernatant fraction, containing the peptide fragments of interest, was dialyzed and reprecipitated as casecidin by higher acid concentrations. The resulting casecidin, following re-suspension, dialysis and neutralization was lyophilized. The resulting powdered preparation was assayed for biological activity as described below, and separated by HPLC for peptide analysis. [0091 ] HPLC analysis of peptides derived from natural casein: Peptides derived from natural casein as described above were analyzed by HPLC in two stages. Initially, the lyophilized casein digests were separated using a C 18 reversed phase with a 0.1 % water triflouroacetic acid (w/w)-acetonitrile gradient. Detection was according to UV ab- 151351/3 sorption at 214 nm. Following this the samples were analyzed by HPLC- ass Spectroscopy (MS) equipped with an electrospray source. Mass calculations represent the mass of the ionized peptide samples, as derived from the retention times. Following separation, the amino acid composition of the peptides was determined with a gas-phase microse- quencer (Applied Biosystems 470A).

[0092] The following data is representative: Eight peptide peaks were typically observed of which 3 were major peaks having Rt values of 1 7.79, 19.7, 23.02 and 5 were minor peaks having Rt values of 12.68, 14.96, 16.50, 21.9 an 25.1 , which Rt values represent molecular mass of 2764, 1697, 1880, 2616, 3217, 2333, 1677 and 1669 Da, respectively. At Rt of 17.79 (corresponding to 2,764 Da) a major peak of a peptide of 23 amino acids representing amino acids 1 -23 of aS1 casein, having the sequence RPKHPIKHQGLPQEVLNENLLRF (SEQ ID NO:16, see McSweeny et al., 1993, ibid., for the complete sequence of aS1 casein). Other peptides were from positions 208-224 of β casein, positions 16-37 of S1 casein and positions 197-222 of ctS2 like casein precursor. Other peptides were also present.

[0093] Synthetic casein derived peptides: Peptides of increasing lengths corresponding to the N-terminal 8-26 amino acids of aS1 casein were synthesized by NoVetide Ltd., Haifa, Israel, with purity of >95% (HPLC). Quality Control included: HPLC, Mass Spectrometry (El), Amino acid analysis and Peptide Content. Table 3 below provides the sequence of these peptides: TABLE 3 Identification Sequence (N terminus - C terminus) No. of amino acids SEQ y RPKHPIKH 8 1 X RPKHPIKHQ 9 2 1 A RPKHPIKHQG 10 3 2A RPKHPIKHQGL 1 1 4 3A RPKHPIKHQGLP 12 5 A BPKHPIKHQGLPQ 13 6 B RPKHPIKHQGLPQE 14 7 C RPKHPHMQGLPQEV 15 8 D RPKHPIKHQGLPQEVL 16 9 E RPKHPIKHQGLPQEVLN 17 10 F RPKHPIKHQGLPQEVLNE 18 1 1 G RPKHPIKHQGLPQEVLN EN 19 12 H RPKHPIKHQG LPQEVLNENL 20 13 I RPKHPIKHQGLPQEVLNENLL 21 14 J RPKHPPIKHQGLPQEVLNENLLR 22 15 K RPKHPIKHQGLPQEVLNENLLRF 23 16 L RPKHPIKHQGLPQEVLNENLLRFF 24 17 M RPKHPIKHQGLPQEVLNENLLRFFV 25 18 N RPKHPIKHQGLPQEVLNENLLRFFVA 26 19

[0094] Juvenile (Type I, IDDM) diabetes in Non-Obese Diabetic (NOD) mice: NOD mice are a commonly used model for research of autoimmune disease and human Juvenile Diabetes. Six week old female NOD mice received either one or two injections per week of 100 g of peptides derived from natural casein, for a total of 5 or 10 treatments. Control mice received no treatment. The severity of disease was determined according to glucosuria, which was measured using Combi test sticks [Gross, D.J. et al. (1994), Diabetology, 37:1 195]. Results were expressed as the percent of glucosuria-free mice in each sample over a 230-day period.

Stimulation of proliferation of Natural Killer (NK) cells:

[0095] From human Peripheral Blood Stem Cells (PBSC): PBSC of G-CSF treated subjects were separated on a FICOLL gradient, washed twice with RPM 1-1640 medium and seeded into 1.5 ml wells with or without peptides derived from natural casein or synthetic casein derived peptides, as indicated, (0-500 μg per ml). Following two days incubation the cells were assayed for Natural Killer activity by measuring radioactivity released from 35S-labeled K562 target cells (NEG-709A, 185.00 MBq, 2.00 mCi EASYTAGth Methionine, L-[35S] 43.48 TBq per mmol, 1 175.0 Ci per mmol, 0.488 ml, Boston USA). Two concentrations of effector cells (2.5 x 105 and 5 x 105 cells per well) were incubated with 5 x 103 target cells per well (effector:target cell ratios of 50:1 and 100:1 , respectively) in U-bottomed 96 well tissue culture plates. The cells were incubated for 5 hours at 37 °C in 5 % C02, 95 % air and precipitated by 5 minutes centrifugation at 1000 151351 /3 rpm. 35S release was measured in 50 μΙ samples of the supernatant liquid.

[0096] From mice Bone Marrow (BM) cells: Bone marrow was collected from untreated BALB/c and C57B1/6 mice. Bone marrow was harvested from the long bones of front and hind limbs of the mice by injection of medium using a 25 Gauge needle. Aspirated cells were washed with RPM1 1640, counted in a haemocyto meter and vital-stained (20 μΙ of cells in 380 μΙ acetic acid trypan blue), then seeded in culture bottles at 2-5 x 106 cells per ml in RPMI-1640 containing 10 % Fetal Calf Serum, antibiotics and glutamine with or without 100 μg per ml peptides derived from natural casein. The cell cultures were incubated in 5 % C02, 95 % air for 12-15 days at 37 °C, harvested by 10 minutes centrifugation at 1500 rpm, counted, and seeded in U-bottom wells with 51 Cr (Chromium-51 , 740 Bq, 2.00 mCi activity) or 35S (NEG- 709A, 185.00 MBq, 2.00 mCi EASYTAGth Methionine, L-[35S] 43.48 TBq per mmol, 1 1 75.0 Ci per mmol, 0.488 ml, Boston USA) labeled murine lymphoma (YAC) cells at either 25:1 or 50: 1 effector.target cell ratio. NK activity is expressed as the percent radioactivity in the cell-free supernatants.

[0097] Proliferation of human cells in culture: Peripheral blood (PB) was collected from healthy or affected patients. Affected patients received no treatment other than G-CSF supplementation prior to plasmapheresis. Bone marrow (BM) cells were collected from consenting healthy patients or affected patients in remission following chemotherapy by medium injection into the medullary space and aspiration. Umbilical cord blood was collected during normal births. Human cells of the various origins were separated on a FICOLL gradient, washed twice with RPMI-1640 medium, and seeded into 0.2 ml flat bottom tissue cu Iture wells at the indicated concentrations with or without peptides derived from natural casein or with or without synthetic casein derived peptides, as indicated. All treatments, including controls, were repeated in triplicate. Cell proliferation was measured by addition of radioactive thymidine [thymidine (methyl-pH]) Specific activity 6.7 Ci per ml 37 MBq per ml, ICN Corp.] following incubation for the indicated number of days. Cells were then incubated 16-20 hours with the label, harvested and washed twice with medium. Incorporated radioactivity was measured in a β scintillation counter.

[0098] Proliferation ofK562 leukemia and colon cancer cell lines: Colon and K526 are established lines of cancer cells grown in culture. Both cell lines were grown in culture bottles in 5 % C02, 95 % air at 37 °C, harvested and washed with medium before seeding in tissue culture wells at 4 x 105 cells (K562) or 3 x 103 cells (Colon) per well. Peptides derived from natural casein were added to the wells, at the indicated concentrations, and after 9 (K562) or 3 (Colon) days of incubation labeled thymidine was added as described above. Harvesting and measurement of radioactive uptake was as described above.

Fluorescent antibody detection of NK and T Cell proliferation in human Peripheral Blood Stem Cells (PBSC):

[0099] Peripheral Blood Stem cells (PBSC) from human subjects receiving G-CSF treatment were collected by plasmapheresis, separated on a FICOLL gradient, washed twice with RPMI-1640 medium containing 10 % Fetal Calf Serum and incubated in culture bottles at 37 °C in 5 % C02, 95 % air with or without peptides derived from natural casein at the indicated concentrations. Following 10, 14 or 28 days incubation with peptides derived from natural casein, the presence of Tcells (CD3 surface antigen) and NK cells (CD56surface antigen) was detected by direct immunofluorescence using anti-CD3 fluorescent antibody (CD3/FITC clone UHCT^, anti-CD56 fluorescent antibody (CD56/RPE clone MOC-1 ) (DAKO A S, Denmark) and mouse lgG1/RPE and lgG1 FITC antibodies as a control. Detection of flourescently tagged cells was performed using fluorescence activate cell sorting (FACS).

Stimulation of hematopoiesis from Bone Marrow (BM) Cells in culture:

[0100] Proliferation of megakaryocytes in multipotential colonies (CFU-GEMM) from murine Bone Marrow cells: Primary bone marrow cells (1 x 105 per ml) from 8-12 week-old C3H/HeJ mice were grown in serum-free methyl cellulose-IMDM medium for 8-9 days at 5 % C02, 95 % air, at 37 °C. The medium, appropriate for the growth of multipotential colonies (CFU-GEMM), contained 1 % BSA (Sigma), 10"4 M thioglycerol (Sigma), 2.8 x 10 4 M human transferrin (TF, Biological industries, Israel), 10 % WEHI-CM as a source of IL-3 and 2 units per ml erythropoietin (rhEPO, R & D Systems, Minneapolis). Colonies were scored after 8-9 days using an Olympus dark field microscope. They were picked with a micropipette, cytocentrifuged and stained with May-Grunwald-Giemsa for differential counts. At least 700 cells were counted for each preparation. [0101 ] Proliferation of megakaryocyte- and erythroid forming cells from human bone marrow and cord blood cells: A sample of bone marrow from an apparently healthy human being was processed by density gradient separation using Histopaque-107 (Sigma Diagnostics) to obtain a purified population of mononuclear cells (MNC). Colony assays were performed in a plating medium containing final concentrations of 0.92 % methyl cellulose (4000 centripase powder, Sigma Diagnostic), rehydrated in Iscoves modified Dulbecco's medium containing 36 mM sodium bicarbonate (Gibco), 30 % fetal bovine serum (FBS) (Hyclone), 0.292 mg/ml glutamine, 100 units per ml penicillin and 0.01 mg per ml streptomycin (Biological Industries, Beit Haemek). Cord blood from normal births was collected and prepared as mentioned above. 151351/3

[0102] Colony assay medium containing 105 MNC per ml was plated in triplicate wells within a 24 well tissue culture plate (Greiner), 0.33 ml per well. The cultures were incubated at 37 °C in 5 % C02, 95 % air and 55 % relative humidity with or without peptides derived from natural casein or synthetic casein derived peptides, at the indicated concentrations. Plates were scored after 14 days for colonies containing more than 50 cells. Megakaryocytes were identified by indirect immunofluorescence using a highly specific rabbit antibody recognizing human platelet glycoproteins, and an FITC- conjugated goat anti-rabbit IgG. Added growth factors included 15 ng per ml leucomax (GM-CSF) (Sandoz Pharma), and 5 % vol. pervol. human phyto-hemagglutinin-m (Difco Lab)-induced conditioned medium (CM) to induce development of granulocyte-monocyte colonies (CFU-GM). Erythropoietin (EPO) 2 units/ml was used to induce formation of erythroid colonies.

[0103] Alternatively, human bone marrow cells from consenting volunteer donors or patients undergoing autologous bone marrow transplantation were precultured in medium containing 10-1000 μg per ml peptides derived from natural casein, grown in semi-solid agar, and scored for granulocyte-macrophage hematopoietic colonies (GM-CFU) at 7 or 14 days post treatment

[0104] Megakaryocytopoiesis was measured in normal bone marrow cells from healthy consenting human donors by either scoring of the number of megakaryocytes in samples of liquid culture (RP I-1640 plus 10 % human AB serum, glutamine and antibiotics) with or without 100 μg per ml peptides derived from natural casein, or in a methylcellulose assay for assessing colony formation. 2 x 105 bone marrow cells were seeded in the presence of a standard growth factor combination with or without peptides derived from natural casein. In the methylcellulose assay megakaryocytes were counted with an inverted microscope on days 1 -14 after seeding.

[0105] Clinical trials using peptides derived from natural casein: In one series of trials, a single dose containing 50 mg peptides derived from natural casein was administered intra-muscular to human subjects in 3 depots, over a period of 2 hours. Clinical parameters were monitored at the indicated intervals. In other trials, patients at various stages of treatment for and/or remission from cancer and metastatic disease received peptides derived from natural casein once or twice, and were monitored for changes in the cell count of peripheral blood.

Inhibition of in vitro HIV infection of human lymphocyte cells:

[0106] Peptides: Peptides (either peptides derived from natural casein or synthetic peptides (8-26 amino acids in length, see table 3, derived from casein) supplied as lyophilized powder were resuspended in RPMI complete medium and added to cell cultures at a final concentrations of 50 to 1000 g per ml.

[0107] Cells: Several types of freshly isolated human cells (primary cells) and cell linens are known to be susceptible to in vitro HIV-1 infection, although essentially any cell displaying even low surface levels of the CD4 molecule can be considered a potential target for HIV-1 infection. Two commonly used human cell lines which are highly sensitive for HIV-1 infection were chosen, CEM and Sup-T1 .

[0108] CEM is a human T4-lymphoblastoid cell line initially derived by G. E. Foley etal. [(1965), Cancer 18:522] from peripheral blood buffy coat of a 4-year old Caucasian female with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. These cells were continuously maintained in suspension in medium, and have been used widely for analysis of infectivity, antiviral agents and neutralizing antibodies.

[0109] Sup-T1 is a human T-lymphoblastoid cell line isolated from a pleural effusion of an 8-year old male with Non-Fiodgkin's T-cell lymphoma [Smith, S. D. et al. [(1984) Cancer Research 44:5657], This cell expresses high levels of surface CD4 and is useful in studies of cell fusion, cytopathic effect and infectivity of HIV-1. Sup-T1 cells are grow in suspension in enriched medium.

[0110] Medium: Cells were grown in RPMI-1640 complete medium enriched with 10 % Fetal bovine serum, 2 mM glutamine and 2 mM penicillin- streptomycin (GIBCO).

[0111] Virus: The HIV virus strain employed was HEV-1 NIB, originally designated HTLV-IIIB. Concentrated culture fluids of peripheral blood from several patients with AIDS or related diseases were used to establish a permanent productive infection in H-9 cells. This subtype B virus has high capacity to replicate in human T-cell lines. Viral titer was 5.38 ng per ml in stock solution.

[0112] FITC-labeled peptides: FITC F-1300 (Fluorescein isothiocyanate, isomer I, Sigma (F25o-2) St. Louis, Ml, USA) having excitation/emission maxima of about 494/520 nm, respectively, was employed. The amine-reactive fluorescein derivative is probably the most common fluorescent derivatization reagent for covalently labeling proteins. FITC-conjugated peptides derived from natural casein were prepared by covalent binding of FITC to the amine groups of lysine.

[0113] Confocal microscopy: A Zeiss LSM 410 confocal laser scanning system attached to TW Zeiss Axiovert 135M inverted microscope, employing the laser scanning confocal microscopy technique, was used to detect penetration of FITC conjugated peptides into cells. T cells were incubated with FITC conjugated peptides derived from natural casein in a 5 % C02, 95 % air, 37 °C incubator, after which the cells were washed 3 times with phosphate buffer saline (PBS) to remove unbound FITC-peptides. Cells were fixed with 3.8 % formalin for 10 minutes, washed twice with PBS and resuspended in 50-100 μΙ PBS before viewing the cells under the microscope. Selected images of cells from different 151351 /3 time points of incubation (15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 1.5 hour and 3 hours) displaying various amounts of FITC- peptides derived from natural casein in their cytoplasms and nuclei were stored on 3.5" Zip derive (230 MB) and processed for pictures using Photoshop software.

[0114] pH] thymidine incorporation test: In order to test the effect of peptides derived from natural casein on T cell proliferation, several concentrations of peptides derived from natural casein (1 μα/ml stock in RP I) were added to Sup-T1 cell cultures in 96 flat bottom microwell plate (5000 cells/well), Cells were counted and their viability was determined by trypan blue dye exclusion. They were pulsed with pH]-thymidine at each time point (3, 7, 10 and 14 days) for 18 hours (over night) and harvested on glass fiber filters for radioactivity reading (Incorporation of pH]-thymidine into cellular DNA is proportional to degree of cell proliferation).

[0115] Toxicity of peptides derived from natural casein in normal, myeloablated and transplant recipient mice and guinea pigs: Intramuscular, or intravenous injections of up to 5,000 mg peptides derived from natural casein per kg animal were administered in a single dose, or in three doses to normal mice. A variety of strains were employed, including BALB/c, C3H/HeJ and Non-Obese Diabetic (NOD) mice. The mice were either monitored for 10 months before sacrifice and post-mortem examination (toxicity assay) or observed for 200 days (survival rate). Guinea pigs received a single intramuscular injection of 20 mg peptides derived from natural casein per animal. Fifteen days later they were sacrificed and examined for pathology.

[0116] Leukocyte and platelet reconstitution in bone marrow transplant recipient mice: BALB/c mice were lethally irradiated at a source to skin distance of 70 cm, dosage of 50 cGy per minute, for a total of 600 cGy. The irradiated mice were reconstituted with syngeneic bone marrow as described above and injected intravenously 24 hours later with 1 mg per animal peptides derived from natural casein, synthetic peptides derived from casein (13-26 amino acids, see Table 3 above), or human serum albumin (controls), following a double-blinded protocol. Leukocyte reconstitution was determined according to cell count in peripheral blood collected at indicated intervals from 6 to 12 days post treatment. Platelet reconstitution was determined by cell count in blood collected from the retro orbital plexus, into heparinized capillaries, at indicated intervals from day 6 to day 15 post treatment.

[0117] In an additional series of experiments, CBA mice were lethally irradiated (900 cGy), reconstituted and treated with peptides derived from natural casein or human serum albumin as described above. Platelet reconstitution was assayed as mentioned above.

[0118] Reconstitution of bone marrow transplant recipient mice: C57/Black/6 mice were lethally irradiated at a source to skin distance of 70 cm, dosage of 50 cGy per minute, for a total of 600 cGy. The irradiated mice were reconstituted with syngeneic bone marrow from mice which were either treated a day prior to bone marrow aspiration with 1 mg per animal peptides derived from natural casein or not treated, following a double-blinded protocol. In one experiment mice survival was monitored for 18 days. In another experiment mice were sacrificed after 10 days and spleen colonization monitored.

Experimental Results

[0119] Peptides derived from natural casein: Originating from the observation that curdled milk occasionally failed to support bacterial growth, a casein fragment possessing bacteriocidal properties was isolated from milk proteins (United States -A-3, 764,670 to Katzirkatchalsky, et al.). Crude peptides derived by proteolysis of natural casein were prepared by acid precipitation of the soluble fraction of the casein proteolytic digest, dialysis and lyophilization. When tested for biological activity after extended storage, it was noted that this crude preparation, when lyophilized and stored at 4 °C, remained active (in vitro and in vivo) for at least 12 months.

[0120] In order to identify the active peptides contained in the peptides derived from natural casein the lyophilized crude preparation was fractionated using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), as described hereinabove. All of the lyophilized samples analyzed demonstrated similar retention time profiles, with contents as described above.

[0121] Thus, a major component of the crude peptides derived from natural casein preparation is the N-terminal fragment of aS1 casein.

[0122] Peptide derived from natural casein are non-toxic in rodents and humans: Extensive investigation of the short and long term effects of high doses of peptides derived from natural casein on mice, guinea pigs and human volunteers confirmed the absence of toxicity, teratogenicity or adverse side effects of the preparation. In one series of tests, single doses representing 1 ,750 and 12,500 times the estimated effective dose of peptides derived from natural casein were administered intra muscularly in lethally irradiated mice receiving syngeneic bone marrow transplants. Standard post-mortem pathology examination of the mice at 8 months post treatment revealed no toxic effects on internal organs or other abnormalities. Similar toxicity tests in guinea pigs revealed no abnormalities two weeks after single 20 mg intra-muscular doses of peptides derived from natural casein. In anotherseries of experiments, high doses of peptides derived from natural casein administered to healthy mice had no effect on several hematological parameters measured two weeks later, including white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), electrolytes, glucose and others. A third series of experiments tested repeated high doses of 100 mg per kg body weight in mice and rats for two 151351/3 weeks, revealing no allergic, delayed cutaneous or anaphylactic responses and no pathological effects upon post-mortem examination. When peptides derived from natural casein were tested for their effect on the long-term survival of irradiated, bone marrow reconstituted BALB/c and C3H/HeJ mice, survival of the treated mice (18 of 27 BALB/c and C3H/HeJ; 66 %) clearly exceeded the survival rates of the albumin-treated controls (4 of 26 BALB/c and C3H/HeJ; 15 %). Standard teratogenicity tests [for details see, for example, Drug Safety in Pregnancy, Folb and Dakes, p. 336, Elsevier; Amsterdam, New York, Oxford (1990)] in mice treated with peptides derived from natural casein revealed no effect of the peptides on any developmental parameters.

[0123] Similar to its lack of toxicity or side effects when tested in rodents, peptides derived from natural casein were safe when administered to humans as well. Comparison of blood and urine samples from seven healthy human volunteers before, during and 7 days after intramuscular injection of peptides derived from natural casein revealed no changes in any of the clinical parameters. No other negative effects were observed.

[0124] Thus, high dose and extended treatment of rodents with peptides derived from natural casein revealed no apparent toxic, pathological, hypersensitivity, teratogenic, serological or any other negative effects. Moreover, peptides derived from natural casein administration to irradiated mice, at risk for short-and long term complications, conferred a significant survival advantage over 200-300 days. These, and the absence of any undesirable effects in healthy human volunteers receiving peptides derived from natural casein via injections clearly demonstrate the peptide's safety in parenteral administration.

[0125] Reconstitution of bone marrow transplant recipient mice: When C57/B1 /6 mice were lethally irradiated and reconstituted with syngeneic bone marrow from mice that were either treated a day prior to bone marrow aspiration with 1 mg per animal peptides derived from natural casein or not so treated, survival of irradiated mice that received bone marrow from treated mice far exceeded that of irradiated mice that received bone marrow from non treated mice (survival of irradiated mice that received bone marrow from treated mice was 15 out of 18, 10 days post irradiation; whereas survival of irradiated mice that received bone marrow from non treated mice was 4 out of 17, 10 days post irradiation). Spleens derived from irradiated mice that received bone marrow from treated mice included about twice to three times as much colonies per spleen, as compared to spleens of irradiated mice that received bone marrow from non treated mice (1 -5 colonies as compared to 0-3 colonies).

[0126] Peptides derived from natural casein stimulate the proliferation of lymphocytes: Natural killer (NK) and cytotoxic T cells are crucial to the immune system's ability to protect against invasion by both infectious pathogens and cancer cells, by both active cytotoxicity and the secretion of immunoregulatory lymphokines. Immune compromise, such as in AIDS or following chemotherapy, results in abnormal, weakened T or NK cell activity. When normal murine bone marrow cells from BALB/c and C57B1/6 mice were cultured in the presence of 100 g per ml peptides derived from natural casein, a greater than two fold increase in target cell lysis was consistently observed (Figure 1 ). Similar experiments using human Peripheral Blood Stem Cells from Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor-treated donors demonstrated an even more significant, concentration-dependent stimulation of target cell lysis by as little as 10 μg per ml peptides derived from natural casein (Figure 2).

[0127] In another series of experiments with PBSCs collected from healthy human donors, peptides derived from natural casein stimulated an increase in the proportion of NK and T cells developing after 10 (Figure 3a) and 14 (Figure 3b) days in culture, reaching three fold and greater at 28 days. An immune-stimulatory effect of the peptides derived from natural casein on PBSC cells was most significant in donors with an initially low level of T and NK cells (Figures 3a-b). Thus, peptides derived from natural casein stimulate the proliferation of both T-lymphocytes and Natural Killer cells from normal murine and human blood cell progenitors.

[0128] Synthetic casein derived peptides stimulate human lymphocyte proliferation in vitro: When synthetic casein derived peptides representing the first 1 to 16 residues of ccS1 casein were incubated with human PBSC cells from healthy and cancer patients (see below), a significant increase in NK cell activity was observed. Target cell lysis was greatest (from 3 to greater than 5 fold that of controls) in Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Breast Cancer patient's PBSC cultures after two days incubation with as little as 10 g per ml of peptides containing the first 10 or more residues of aS1 casein (Figure 4). Under identical conditions, none of the peptides tested had a significant effect on NK activity in PBSC cultures from healthy human donors. Thus, even low concentrations of peptides containing at least the first 10 residues of the N-terminal sequence of aS1 casein are capable of selectively stimulating in vitro lymphocyte proliferation in cells from cancer patients.

[0129] Stimulation of hematopoiesis in human blood cell progenitors: Blood cell progenitors differentiate into a variety of blood cells: macrophages, monocytes, granulocytes, lymphocytes, erythrocytes and megakaryocytes. Progenitor cells are abundant in bone marrow, but are also found in peripheral blood after Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factortreatment (PBSC cells), and im fresh Cord Blood. When increasing concentrations (50-600 g per ml) of peptides derived from natural casein were added to cultures of human Bone Marrow, PBSC and Cord Blood, an increase in cell proliferation, as measured by pHJ-thymidine incorporation was noted (Figures 5a-5c). Human PBSC proliferation was most greatly effected by 300 g per ml (Figure 5a) after 15 days in culture. An even greater effect was noted for Cord Blood cells in culture (3 to 4 fold increase in [3H]-thymidine incorporation) after 14 days incubation (but not after 7 days) 151351/3 with peptides derived from natural casein (600 per ml, Figure 5c). Cultured human bone marrow cells from three out of four donors also reacted strongly (3 to 5 fold increase in incorporation) to peptides derived from natural casein (300 g per ml) after 21 days incubation (Figure 5b). Thus, peptides derived from natural casein stimulates proliferation of human blood cell progenitors from bone marrow as well as other sources. Interestingly, incubation of cultured human K562 (Chronic Myeloid Leukemia) and Colon (Colon cancer) cell lines with high concentrations (up to 500 μg per ml) of peptides derived from natural casein under similar conditions had no effect on pH]-thymidine incorporation. Thus, peptides derived from natural casein stimulate proliferation of human blood cell progenitors but not growth of cancerous cells.

Stimulation of megakaryocytopoiesis by peptides derived from casein:

[0130] Peptides derived from natural casein stimulate megakaryocyte progenitor proliferation in cultured murine bone marrow cells: Multinucleated megakaryocytes develop in the bone marrow from primitive stem cells, mature to giant cells and give rise to thousands of thrombocytes per megakaryocyte. Thrombocytes are crucial for clot formation and thrombocytopenia is a majorconcern in myeloablative conditions (following chemotherapy or radiotherapy). [0131 ] Primary bone marrow cell cultures can be induced to form CFU-GM (Granulocyte and Megakaryocyte) colonies, giving rise to megakaryocytes, and CFU-GEMM (Granulocyte, Erythroid, Macrophage and Megakaryocyte) colonies, containing additional blood cell types. Colony counts reflect expansion of specific progenitors, cell numbers reflect proliferation rates and differential cell counts reflect which specific cell lineages have developed [Patenkin, D. et al. (1990), Mol. Cel. Biol. 10, 6046-50]. In cultured murine bone marrow cells incubated with erythropoietin and IL-3, addition of 25 g per ml peptides derived from natural casein for 8 days increased the number of CFU-GEMM two and one half fold over controls, stimulating a three fold increase in relative cell numbers per colony in the CFU-GEMM. In a similar series of experiments, addition of peptides derived from natural casein to bone marrow cells incubated with erythropoietin and conditioned medium (see Materials and Experimental Methods) stimulated a concentration-dependent increase in the percentage of early and late megakaryocytes (15 % megakaryocytes without peptides, to 50 % with 500 μ9 per ml peptides derived from natural casein). Thus, 8 days treatment with peptides derived from natural casein stimulated a significant increase in megakaryocyte formation and development in primary murine bone marrow cultures.

Synthetic peptides derived from casein stimulate megakaryocyte progenitor proliferation in cultured murine bone marrow cells:

[0132] Similar to the above and under similar experimental conditions, synthetic casein derived peptides representing the first 10 and 1 1 amino acids of aS1 casein had a strong (greater than 10 fold) stimulatory effect on murine bone marrow cell CFU-GEMM proliferation after 8 days incubation. Somewhat milder, yet appreciable, stimulation was observed with synthetic casein derived peptides representing the first 12 to 26 amino acids of aS1.

[0133] Peptides derived from natural casein stimulate Megakaryocytopoiesis in cultured human bone marrow cells: When 100 μ g per ml peptides derived from natural casein were added under similar conditions to human bone marrow cell cultures from healthy donors, CFU-GM colony formation was increased with or without additional stimulating factors (GM-CSF, CM). Peptides derived from natural casein also stimulated erythroid cell forming colonies in the presence of erythropoietin. Treatment of the human bone marrow cells with thrombopoietin (TPO) stimulates megakaryocyte (MK) colony formation. Addition of 300 μg per ml peptides derived from natural casein to TPO-treated cells stimulates a more than twofold increase (16 colonies per 2 x 105 cells without peptides, 35 colonies per 2 x 05 with peptides derived from natural casein) in MK colony proliferation.

[0134] In the presence of additional hematopoietic factors, such as erythropoietin, human IL-3, hSCF and AB serum, 14 days incubation with peptides derived from natural casein stimulated a nearly three fold increase in CFU-GEMM colonies from human bone marrow cells (158 colonies with 500 μ9 per ml peptides derived from natural casein, 68 colonies with the factors alone), but had a smaller (one and one half fold) effect on cultured cord blood CFU-GEMM formation. The relative cell number counts in the cultured human bone marrow and cord blood colonies reflect megakaryocyte cell proliferation in response to addition of 25 μg per ml peptides derived from natural casein (see Table shown in Figure 6). Thus, incubation of cultured human primary bone marrow and cord blood cells with peptides derived from natural casein stimulates the development and proliferation of both committed megakaryocyte and erythroid cell colonies.

[0135] Peptides derived from natural casein stimulate hematopoiesis in vivo following irradiation and bone marrow transplant: Myeloablative therapy may lead to life-threatening reduction in thrombocytes and leukocytes, which may persist despite administration of blood cells and growth factors. The following demonstrates the effect of peptides derived from natural casein following irradiation and bone marrow transplantation.

[0136] Peptides derived from natural casein enhance leukocyte and platelet reconstitution following syngeneic bone marrow transplantation in mice: When lethally irradiated (600 cGy), minimally bone marrow-reconsti- 151351 /3 tuted, BALB/c mice (n = 60) received 1 mg per mouse peptides derived from natural casein via intravenous injection along with the bone marrow cells. Significant increases in peripheral white blood cell counts over a 7 to 14 day period were noted, compared to controls receiving human serum albumin (Figure 7). Platelet counts in the peripheral blood of both the treated and control irradiated, bone marrow transplanted mice were equally depressed up to 8 days post treatment. However, by the ninth day a clear advantage was noted for the mice treated with the peptides derived from natural casein, demonstrating a twofold increase over the human serum albumin-treated controls by day 13 (Figure 8). Thus, peptides derived from natural casein enhance platelet and leukocyte reconstitution following transplantation with limiting numbers of bone marrow cells. It is expected that this effect will be further increased in reconstitution with optimal, rather than limiting numbers of bone marrow cells.

[0137] Synthetic peptides derived from casein enhance leukocyte reconstitution following syngeneic bone marrow transplantation in mice: When lethally irradiated (600 cGy), minimally bone marrow-reconstituted, BALB/c mice (n = 5 per synthetic peptide, n = 10 in the control group) received 1 mg per mouse synthetic peptides (13-26 amino acids in length, see Table 3) derived from casein via an intraperitoneal injection along with the bone marrow cells. Significant increases in peripheral white blood cell counts over a 10 to 14 day period were noted with peptides having 13 (day 10: 17.2 x 106 cells per dl; day 12: 65.4 x 106 cells per dl) and 17 (day 10: 27.4 cells x 106 per dl; day Ί 2: 52.0 x 10e cells per dl) amino acids (see Table 3), compared to controls receiving human serum albumin (day 10: 16.7 x 106 cells per dl; day 1 : 46.4 x 106 cells per dl). Thus, synthetic peptides derived from casein enhance leukocyte reconstitution following transplantation with limiting numbers of bone marrow cells.

[0138] Peptides derived from natural casein enhance human lymphocyte pro/ feraf/o/7:The presence of peptides derived from natural casein in the culture medium resulted in increased Sup-T1 cell counts over a period of 14 days. The greatest increases in cell number at 7 days was observed for 50 μg per ml peptides derived from natural casein (42 %), for 1000 g at 10 days (30 %) and for 600 μg (32 %) at 14 days incubation. Measurement of pHj-thymidine incorporation by the cultured cells, providing a proliferation index, reflected the increase in cell number, with the most significant effect noted for 100 g per ml peptides derived from natural casein on day 10 (Figure 10). The reduced proliferation indices at 14 days probably reflect cell overgrowth and nutrient depletion.

[0139] Synthetic peptides derived from casein enhance human lymphocyte proliferation: The presence of synthetic peptides deprived from casein (all peptides listed in Table 3) in the culture medium resulted in increased Sup-T1 cell counts over a period of 10 days. The increase was similar for all synthetic peptides. The greatest increase in cell number in infected cells was observed for 250 μg per ml peptide (8 amino acids - 80 %). At 500 g per ml peptide (8 amino acids - 33 %).

[0140] Peptides derived from natural casein prevent development ofglucosuria in Non-Obese Diabetic (NOD) mice: Non-Obese Diabetic (NOD) mice spontaneously develop Type I (IDDM) Diabetes, an autoimmune condition causing inflammation of the pancreatic β cells and ending in disease and death. Female NOD mice are extremely susceptible, demonstrating evidence of macrophage invasion of the pancreatic islet interstitial matrix as early as 5 weeks old. A once or twice weekly injection of 100 g peptides derived from natural casein for 5 weeks (6 or 11 injections total) were completely effective in preventing the glucosuria associated with the onset and course of the disease. By 200 days 100 % of the untreated control mice (n = 5) had become diabetic, and subsequently died, white the treated mice (n = 5) remained 00 % euglycemic, all still surviving at 230 days (Figure 12). Thus, peptides derived from natural casein effectively protected genetically susceptible mice against the onset of this autoimmune inflammatory condition.

Clinical trials with peptides derived from natural casein:

[0141] Patients received intramuscular injections of 50 peptides derived from natural casein each, in one or three depots, as indicated.

[0142] Peptides derived from natural casein stimulates hematopoiesis in cancer patients: The hematology profiles of six cancer patients who had received or were receiving chemotherapy were examined before and following administration of peptides derived from natural casein, as indicated. Special attention was paid to changes in the Platelet (PLT), Leukocyte (WBC), Erythrocyte (RBC) and Hemoglobin (HGB) values, representing thrombocytopoiesis, leukoc-tyopoiesis, and erythrocytopoiesis, respectively. [01 3] G.T., (Female patient): Patient had ovarian cancer, undergone a hysterectomy followed by chemotherapy. She received two intramuscular injections of peptides derived from natural casein at two and then two and one half months post operation. No chemotherapy was administered between the first and second administrations of peptides derived from natural casein. Blood tests from 6 days post first injection, 7, and 13 days post second injection reflect a considerable increase in platelet and WBC components, as well as increased RBC (Figure 13).

[0144] B.C., (Female patient): Patient underwent a radical mastectomy for lobular carcinoma in 1983, and six years later suffered from gastric metastases. Three days prior to commencement of chemotherapy, she received one intramuscular peptides derived from natural casein by injection, and a second 10 days after the chemotherapy. Although the blood counts from 10 and 16 days post chemotherapy indicated an attenuation of the depressed hematological profile 151351 /3 usually-encountered following chemotherapy, the most significant effects of peptides derived from natural casein were noted 3 days after the first injection, prior to the chemotherapy (Figure 13). [01 5] E.S., (Female patient): Patient was suffering from widespread metastatic dissemination of a breast carcinoma first discovered in 1987. Two years later, she received a first intramuscular injection of peptides derived from natural casein, and a second 23 days later. No additional therapy was administered during this period. Blood tests indicate a strong enhancement of PLT seven days after the first treatment, and a significant increase in RBC and WBC seven days after the second treatment (Figure 13).

[0146] J.R., (Female patient): Patient's diagnosis is breast cancer with bone metastases. She received one intramuscular injection of peptides derived from natural casein 8 days before commencing chemotherapy, and another, 14 days later. The most significant effect is clearly seen in the rapid return of WBC levels following chemotherapy-induced depression (Figure 13).

[0147] D.M., (Female patient): Patient suffering from hepatic cancer with widespread metastatic dissemination. She received three intramuscular injections of peptides derived from natural casein at 10, 8 and 6 days before receiving chemotherapy. A second series of injections was initiated 10, 12 and 14 days following the chemotherapy treatment. Although a significant effect on the hematological profile is noted following the first series of injections and prior to the chemotherapy, the most dramatic improvements are seen in the rapid return of depressed post-chemotherapy values to normalized cell counts following the second series of peptides derived from natural casein injections (Figure 13).

[0148] Thus, administration of peptides derivedfrom natural casein to cancer patients results in improved hematological profiles, specifically enhanced erythropoiesis, leukocytopoiesis and thrombocytopoiesis, and is capable of moderating and shortening the duration of chemotherapy-induced depression of blood components.

[0149] Peptides derived from natural casein stimulates thrombocytopoiesis in transplant recipients with resistant thrombocytopenia: Prolonged transfusion-resistant thrombocytopenia with episodes of severe bleeding, may be a life threatening complication of bone marrow transfusion, especially where traditional therapies are ineffective. Two patients with severe resistant thrombocytopenia were treated with peptides derived from natural casein.

[0150] M-1 (Female patient): 32 year old patient suffering from Acute Myeloid Leukemia in complete remission, following autologous stem cell transfusion. She had experienced two life-threatening bleeding episodes, involving pulmonary hemorrhage and a large obstructive hematoma in the soft palate. At more than 1 14 days post transfusion, platelet counts were refractive to rhlL-3, rhlL-6, intravenous gamma globulin, and recombinant erythropoietin. Following a single intra muscular treatment with 50 μg peptides derived from natural casein, divided into three depots, her condition improved immediately. Along with the rapid return of normal platelet counts (Figure 1 ), her distal limb bleeding with exertion and patechyae subsided, she was able to resume walking, and returned to her home overseas with no complications or side effects.

[0151] M-2 (Male patient): 30 year old patient suffering from Acute Myeloid Leukemia in a second complete remission following autologous stem cell transfusion, exhibiting totally resistant platelet counts and massive gastrointestinal bleeding episodes. He required daily transfusions of packed cells, had developed hypoalbuminia, and failed to respond to extensive therapy with rhlL-3, rhlL-6 and gamma globulin. Following one intramuscular administration of 50 μg peptides derivedfrom natural casein in three depots 86 days posttransfusion, rapid platelet reconstitution (Figure 15) and gradual discontinuation of the bleeding was observed. No further treatment was required, and the patient is presently completely asymptomatic with normal platelet count.

[0152] Thus, one course of intramuscular administration of peptides derived from natural casein at 1 mg per kg body weight, divided into three depots was effective in rapidly reconstituting platelet counts and diminishing associated clinical symptoms in patients suffering from prolonged, transfusion resistant thrombocytopenia with life-threatening bleeding episodes.

Thus, one injection of peptides derived from natural casein seemed capable of stimulating erythropoiesis and reducing anemia associated with blood loss in humans.

Claims (1)

1. 51351/3 WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: Use of a peptide derived from an N terminus portion of aS1 casein for the manufacture of a medicament for inducing hematopoiesis, wherein said inducing hematopoiesis is selected from inducing hematopoietic stem cell proliferation and differentiation, inducing megakaryocytopoiesis, inducing erythropoiesis, inducing thrombocytopoiesis and inducing leukocytopoiesis. The use of claim 1 , wherein said inducing hematopoiesis is inducing hematopoietic stem cell proliferation and differentiation. The use of claim , wherein said inducing hematopoiesis is inducing megakaryocytopoiesis. The use of claim 1 , wherein said inducing hematopoiesis is inducing thrombocytopoiesis. The use of claim 1 , wherein said inducing hematopoiesis is inducing leukocytopoiesis. The use of any of claims 1 -5, wherein said peptide is a purified peptide. The use of any of claims 1 -6, wherein said peptide has an amino acid sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 1-19. The use of any of claims 1 -7, wherein said peptide is a synthetic peptide. Use of a casecidin peptide preparation derived from natural casein for the manufacture of a medicament for inducing hematopoiesis, wherein said inducing hematopoiesis is selected from inducing hematopoietic stem cell proliferation and differentiation, inducing megakaryocytopoiesis, inducing erythropoiesis, inducing thrombocytopoiesis and inducing leukocytopoiesis. The use of claim 9, wherein said inducing hematopoiesis is hematopoietic stem cell proliferation and differentiation. The use of claim 9, wherein said inducing hematopoiesis is inducing megakaryocytopoiesis. 151351/3 The use of claim 9, wherein said inducing hematopoiesis is inducing thrombocytopoiesis. The use of claim 9, wherein said inducing hematopoiesis is inducing leukocytopoiesis. A purified peptide derived from an N terminus portion of aS1 casein having an amino acid sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 2; 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 18 or 19. The purified peptide of claim 14, wherein said peptide is a synthetic peptide. A pharmaceutical composition for use in treating a hematological disease selected from the group consisting of thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia and granulocytopenia, the composition comprising, as an active ingredient, a therapeutically effective concentration of the purified peptide of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 16, wherein said hematological disease is thrombocytopenia. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 16, wherein said hematological disease is pancytopenia. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 16, wherein said hematological disease is granulocytopenia. Attorney at Law & Patent Attorney Dr.D.Graeser Our Ref. 213