The tumor necrosis factor-derived TIP peptide: A potential anti-edema drug

In view of the significant side-effects of existing substances as well as of supportive therapies for the treatment of pulmonary edema, there is a renewed search for novel drugs that increase the uptake of sodium in type II alveolar epithelial cells, a phenomenon which is crucial for lung liquid clearance. We describe here the discovery and characterization of a Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-derived peptide mimicking the lectin-like domain of the cytokine as a potential novel anti-edema agent.