[Synthesis and biological activity of peptides from interferon alpha A region 125-131]

Two peptides, IFN-(125-129) (RITLY-I) and [Arg7]IFN-(125-131) (RITLYLR-II), belonging to the putative immunologically active region of interferon alpha A (IFN) were synthesised by the solid-phase method. Both peptides suppress the delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction in vivo as assayed in mice. The peptide (II) either suppresses (0.01-0.1 mg/kg) or stimulates (approximately 1.0 mg/kg) antibody production in mice in response to sheep red blood cells.