Inhibition of eucaryotic pathogens and neoplasms and stimulation of fibroblasts and lymphocytes with lytic peptides

A method for stimulating the proliferation of normal mammalian lymphocytes in a mammal, the method comprising:

• selecting a mammal comprising lymphocytes;
• and
• introducing an exogenous selectively lytic peptide into the mammal in an amount effective to stimulate the proliferation of the lymphocytes;
• wherein the lytic peptide comprises:
• a) about 30 to about 40 amino acids, all or a portion of which are arranged in an α-helix;
• b) a hydrophilic head with a positive charge density;
• c) a hydrophobic tail;
• d) a hydrophobic face along the length of the helix;
• and
• e) a hydrophilic face opposed from the hydrophobic face.

A composition comprising a selectively lytic peptide and lysozyme, wherein the lytic peptide comprises:

• a) about 30 to about 40 amino acids, all or a portion of which are arranged in an α-helix;
• b) a hydrophilic head with a positive charge density;
• c) a hydrophobic tail;
• d) a hydrophobic face along the length of the helix;
• and
• e) a hydrophilic face opposed from the hydrophobic face.

A method for inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells in a mammal comprising:

• selecting a mammal containing cancer cells;
• and
• administering an exogenous selectively lytic peptide into the mammal in an amount effective to inhibit the cancer cells;
• wherein the lytic peptide comprises:
• a) about 30 to about 40 amino acids, all or a portion of which are arranged in an α-helix;
• b) a hydrophilic head with a positive charge density;
• c) a hydrophobic tail;
• d) a hydrophobic face along the length of the helix;
• and
• e) a hydrophilic face opposed from the hydrophobic face.