Endotoxin Inhibitor

The cyclic peptide KTKCKFLKKC has ben shown to form a strong complex with lipid A, the toxic component of the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with Ka = 0.56 · 10⁷ M⁻¹. It detoxifies LPS in vitro and prevents LPS-induced cytokine release and lethality in vivo. Furthermore, it shows neither antibiotic activity nor toxicity and might therefore be useful in the prophylaxis and treatment of LPS-mediated diseases. KTKCKFLKKC bears a structural resemblance to the peptide antibiotic and endotoxin inhibitor polymyxin B. It could be of use as an adjuvant for antibiotic therapy.