Erythropoietin Mimetic Peptide (pHBSP) Corrects Endothelial Dysfunction in a Rat Model of Preeclampsia

Peptides derived from growth factors: Exploring their diverse impact from antimicrobial properties to neuroprotection

Growth factor-derived peptides are bioactive molecules that play a crucial role in various physiological processes within the human body. Over the years, extensive research has revealed their diverse applications, ranging from antimicrobial properties to their potential in neuroprotection and treating various diseases. These peptides exhibit innate immune responses and have been found to possess potent antimicrobial properties against a wide range of pathogens. Growth factor-derived peptides have demonstrated the ability to promote neuronal survival, prevent cell death, and stimulate neural regeneration. As a result, they hold immense promise in the treatment of various neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis, as well as in the management of traumatic brain injuries. Moreover, growth factor-derived peptides have shown potential for supporting tissue repair and wound healing processes. By enhancing cell proliferation and migration, these peptides contribute to the regeneration of damaged tissues and promote a more efficient healing response. The applications of growth factor-derived peptides extend beyond their therapeutic potential in health; they also have a role in various disease conditions. For example, researchers have explored their influence on cancer cells, where some peptides have demonstrated anti-cancer properties, inhibiting tumor growth and promoting apoptosis in cancer cells. Additionally, their immunomodulatory properties have been investigated for potential applications in autoimmune disorders. Despite the immense promise shown by growth factor-derived peptides, some challenges need to be addressed. Nevertheless, ongoing research and advancements in biotechnology offer promising avenues to overcome these obstacles. The review summarizes the foundational biology of growth factors and the intricate signaling pathways in various physiological processes as well as diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular ailments, and metabolic syndromes.

Effect of Anti-TNFα Therapy by Infliximab against Pancreatic Tissue Damage in Severe Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis

Nowadays, it is difficult to find a more complicated inflammatory disease of the abdominal organs in its pathogenesis than acute pancreatitis (AP). The application of antimediatory drugs and antimetabolites is the most promising direction in the correction of inflammatory pathological processes. The study of possible applications of a new group of drugs (monoclonal antibodies) that may trigger inflammation is also of great interest. The present study aimed to study the effect of infliximab on the lethality, volume, and nature of pancreatic lesions in severe necrotizing ductal pancreatic necrosis. The study was conducted on female Wistar rats (n=30) of similar age in the weight range of 200-250g. All manipulations were performed under general anesthesia by intraperitoneal injection of zoletil at a dose of 60 mg/kg, as well as chloral hydrate at a dose of 125 mg/kg. Model of severe acute necrotizing pancreatitis was performed through the injection of 0.5 ml of a buffer solution containing a bile acid salt-sodium taurocholate introductory. The animals were divided into the following groups: Group A (n=6): normal values; Group B (n=6): the mortality study was conducted in acute destructive pancreatitis in a period of 24 h; Group C (n=6): the simulation of acute severe necrotic pancreatitis was performed in this group along with the study of the volume of pancreatic lesions for a period of 6 h from the moment of modeling; Group D (n=6): in this group, the effect of infliximab (at a dose of 60 mkg/kg) was studied on mortality in severe destructive pancreatitis for a period of 24 h from the moment of modeling; Group E (n=6): in this group, the effect of infliximab (at a dose of 120 mkg/kg) was studied on the volume of pancreatic lesions in severe destructive pancreatitis for a period of 6 h from the moment of modeling. During the assessment of pancreatic damage, the mean±SD volume of pancreatic lesions was determined to be 34.8%±1.2% in a period of 6 h after modeling. Assessment of pancreatic damage in group E and the protective effect of infliximab at a dose of 60 mg/kg showed that the total volume of the necrotic pancreatic lesion was determined to be 21.3%±1.4% after a period of 6 h from the moment of AP modeling. In the course of this study, it was revealed that the application of infliximab at a dose of 60 mcg/kg led to a pronounced positive effect on the pancreatic lesion, manifested by up to 50% decrease in mortality for one day in group D. Infliximab had a definite protective effect in AP, decreasing the volume of the injury, as well as the mortality rate by half for 24 h. Therapy with anti-tumor necrosis factor with infliximab could significantly reduce the volume of pancreatic lesions in severe forms of pancreatic necrosis, which contributed to a pronounced decrease in mortality for 1 day from the moment of pathology reproduction.

A new EPOR/CD131 heteroreceptor agonist EP-11-1: a neuroprotective effect in experimental traumatic brain injury

Introduction: EP-11-1 (UEHLERALNSS) is a short-chain erythropoietin derivative without have erythropoietic activity. It was created by modifying a peptide mimicking the spatial structure of the erythropoietin a-helix B pHBSP. One of the promising directions of its administration is the correction of morphofunctional disorders that occur in traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Materials and methods: The study was performed in 160 male Wistar rats, weighing 180–200 g.TBI was simulated using the drop-weight method. To assess the emerging morphofunctional disorders and a degree of their correction, we used the severity of neurological deficit, indicators of locomotor activity and exploration, a marker of brain injury S100B and morphological examination.

Results and discussion: The combined administration of a new EPOR/CD131 heteroreceptor agonist EP-11-1 with citicoline and trimetazidine led to a more pronounced correction of the neurological deficit when compared not only to the group of the ”untreated” animals, but also to the groups of animals to which these drugs had been administered as monotherapy (p < 0.05). The same tendency was also observed in the study of locomotor activity and exploration. A biochemical study showed that the administration of all three combinations led to a statistically significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the S-100B concentration compared not only to the group of “untreated” animals, but also to the groups of animals to which these drugs had been administered as a monotherapy.

Conclusion: The results of the conducted experiments prove the most pronounced positive dynamics in the combined administration of the new EPOR/CD131 heteroreceptor agonist EP-11-1with citicoline and trimetazidine.

STUDY OF ANTIATHEROSCLEROTIC AND ENDOTHELIOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF PEPTIDE AGONISTS OF EPOR/CD131 HETERORECEPTOR

Introduction. The drugs affecting a mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stresses, apoptosis and inflammation of the vascular wall, have a high potential for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic lesions. In this regard, the use of EPOR/CD131 heteroreceptor agonists which have a similar spectrum of pharmacological effects, is one of the promising strategies in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Materials and Methods. The study was carried out on 68 C57Bl/6J male mice. Atherosclerosis was simulated in transgenic animals with an endotheliospecific knockdown of the Polg gene by simulating a balloon injury and keeping on a Western diet. Then, the studied drugs were injected once every 3 days at the dose of 20 μg/kg for 27 days. On the 28-th day, the animals were euthanized and the area of atherosclerotic plaques was assessed. The gene expression associated with the processes of inflammation, antioxidant protection, apoptosis, and angiogenesis was also determined in the aortic tissues. In addition, the endothelium protective effect of peptides on primary cultures of endothelial cells of wild and transgenic Polg-D257A mice was studied.

Results. No statistically significant effect of drugs on the area of lipid infiltration have been found. However, the studied peptides have significantly reduced the expression of proinflammatory genes (iNos, Icam1, Vcam1, Sele, Il6, Tnfa), the genes associated with angiogenesis (Vegfa, Kdr, and Hif1a), the expression of proapoptic factors; they decreased the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio by more than 1.5 times. In addition, when supplemented with H2 O2  in vitro, peptides dose-dependently increased endothelial cell survival.

Conclusion. The erythropoietin-based peptides can be used to improve the functional state of the vascular wall against the background of atherosclerotic lesions and have a depressing effect on pathobiological processes associated with a mitochondrial dysfunction. In addition, the studied peptides have a significant endothelial protective effect in the induction of oxidative stress in vitro.

Non-hematopoietic erythropoietin-derived peptides for atheroprotection and treatment of cardiovascular diseases

Relevance: Cardiovascular diseases continue to be the leading cause of premature adult death.

Lipid profile and atherogenesis: Dislipidaemia leads to subsequent lipid accumulation and migration of immunocompetent cells into the vessel intima. Macrophages accumulate cholesterol forming foam cells – the morphological substrate of atherosclerosis in its initial stage.

Inflammation and atherogenesis: Pro-inflammatory factors provoke oxidative stress, vascular wall damage and foam cells formation.

Endothelial and mitochondrial dysfunction in the development of atherosclerosis: Endothelial mitochondria are some of the organelles most sensitive to oxidative stress. Damaged mitochondria produce excess superoxide and H2O2, which are the main factors of intracellular damage, further increasing endothelial dysfunction.

Short non-hematopoietic erythropoietin-based peptides as innovative atheroprotectors: Research in recent decades has shown that erythropoietin has a high cytoprotective activity, which is mainly associated with exposure to the mitochondrial link and has been confirmed in various experimental models. There is also a short-chain derivative, the 11-amino acid pyroglutamate helix B surface peptide (PHBSP), which selectively binds to the erythropoietin heterodymic receptor and reproduces its cytoprotective properties. This indicates the promising use of short-chain derivatives of erythropoietin for the treatment and prevention of atherosclerotic vascular injury. In the future, it is planned to study the PHBSP derivatives, the modification of which consists in adding RGD and PGP tripeptides with antiaggregant properties to the original 11-member peptide.