Polypeptide compositions

Abstract

There are disclosed polypeptides having the following formula: R-X.sub.1 -Lys-X.sub.3 -Val-X.sub.5 -R.sub.1 wherein R is hydrogen, alkanoyl of 1-4 carbon atoms or aroyl of 6-10 carbon atoms; X.sub.1 is L-Arg, D-Arg or D-homoarginine; X.sub.3 is Asn, Gln or the N-substituted carboxamides thereof; X.sub.5 is L- or D-Tyr, L- or D-Phe, L- or D-Trp, L- or D-Leu, L- or D-Met, D-Met-ol-oxide or D-Phe-ol; and R.sub.1 is amino, monoalkylamino of 1-4 carbon atoms, dialkylamino of 1-4 carbon atoms, hydroxy, alkoxy of 1-4 carbon atoms, ##STR1## the fully protected peptide-resin intermediates thereof, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. These polypeptides have the capability of inducing the differentiation of T-lymphocytes and thus are useful in a number of therapeutic areas.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.