Peptide Inhibitors of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Abstract

Researchers at the University of California, Davis have developed a peptide that targets fibrogenic pathways in order to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Full Description

Fibrosis is the development of excess fibrous, connective tissue. The development of some fibrous tissue is a normal step in many tissue or organ repair processes. In the lungs, however, repeated injury and repair can lead to life-threatening diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). IPF has a poor prognosis, and current therapeutics are ineffective - as they tend to focus on the inflammation aspects of the disease (not the fibrosis stage). These therapeutic have limited success due to their non-specific suppression of the inflammatory response. They can also act as powerful immunosuppressants. So there is a strong need for improved therapeutics to treat IPF.

Researchers at the University of California, Davis have developed a novel peptides targeting fibrogenic pathways. Phospho-MARCKS can act as a specific marker for activated fibroblasts. This marker can be targeted by a MARCKS PSD sequence (MPS) peptide to inhibit the marker’s activity. The novel peptides will destroy activated fibroblasts/myofibroblasts without affecting dormant fibroblasts. It is also effective in inhibiting fibroblast cell movement, proliferation and differentiation into myofibroblasts without exhibiting any toxicity to normal cells.

Applications

·         Therapeutic treatment for pulmonary fibrosis through fibrosis suppression

Features/Benefits

·         More effective than IPF therapeutics that focus on inflammation

·         Effective in inhibition of fibroblast cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation

·         Does not affect dormant fibroblasts

·         Peptide is soluble, stable and easy to manipulate

Patent Status