Coiled-coil dimer derived antagonists of 4-helix bundle cytokines, design and uses thereof

A method of treating allergic reactions that are induced or mediated by binding of a 4-helix bundle cytokine to its specific receptor(s) in a patient in need of such treatment, comprising administering to said patient, a 4-helix bundle cytokine antagonist, wherein the antagonist comprises a 4-helix bundle cytokine receptor-binding peptide sequence within a peptide sequence for a coiled-coil dimer, with the proviso that the antagonist inhibits 4-helix bundle cytokine binding without mediating a biological response through the receptor, wherein the 4-helix bundle cytokine is IL-4, and wherein the 4-helix bundle cytokine receptor-binding protein sequence is selected from the group consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:6 and a modification of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:6, wherein said modification inhibits cytokine binding without mediating a biological response through the receptor.