Is B7-33 peptide the new anti-fibrotic agent? If you are interested in finding out the answer to this question, please keep reading this article we have made especially for you! Let’s dive in!
In fibrosis, the affected tissues become abnormally thick or otherwise degraded. Those with terminal illnesses often have fibrosis as a result of their suffering. In 2012, a clinical experiment revealed that a protein called H2-relaxin decreased severe, long-term scarring of the cardiac tissues due to heart injury. This aspect was observed even though treatment for fibrosis varies from therapy to surgery. The natural protein H2-relaxin has a synthetic counterpart known as the B7-33 peptide. Like H2-relaxin, B7-33 has anti-fibrotic qualities in addition to the other apparent benefits we’ll list below.
But first, if you are a licensed professional interested in further studying this peptide’s potential, you can click here to buy the B7-33 peptide for research purposes only.
The Mystery of B7-33 Peptide
Single-chain peptide B7-33 is a shorter analog of the naturally occurring relaxin protein. Relaxin peptides typically have four parts: a signal peptide, a B chain, a C chain, and a COOH terminus. Initial attempts to duplicate these peptide structures yielded exceedingly insoluble and inert peptides; thus, the experiments were abandoned. After years of study, scientists made the first soluble analog, B7-33 peptide, by creating a B chain and extending the COOH terminus.
The Molecular Mechanism of Peptides
The peptide differs from natural proteins in structure and a few other ways that are very helpful, even more so than H2-relaxin.
The pERK pathway, rather than the cAMP route, is used by the B7-33 peptide. Traditionally, H2-relaxin generates its anti-fibrotic activities through the cAMP pathway, which may promote tumor development.
And the peptide binds tightly to RXFP-1 receptors. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) chemical production is boosted when the peptide connects with RXFP-1 receptors and triggers the pERK pathway. The scarring of tissues is thus inhibited by these substances, which also prevents fibrosis from occurring.
Applications of B7-33 Peptide in Biology
It has been shown that this peptide provides several benefits for medicine.
- Being anti-fibrotic
- Capacity to protect the cardiovascular system
- Effortlessly aids in the management of preeclampsia
- Coating for insertion into the body
Research on the Antifibrotic Effects
H2 relaxin, as was discussed before, is a naturally occurring protein that aids in avoiding tissue scarring. The cAMP pathway is crucial to their operation. There is evidence that the administration of a complete, prolonged strain of the H2 relaxin protein accelerates the growth and metastasis of cancerous cells and causes an increase in heart rate in experimental animals. It works by stimulating the cAMP pathway, which is primarily responsible for this effect.
Therefore, scientists looked for an analog with the same anti-fibrosis biological properties without cAMP activation. They succeeded in creating the B7-33 peptide as a consequence of their efforts.
Administration of the peptide to animals with myocardial infarction decreased heart tissue fibrosis by about 50%. Consequently, the heart’s performance increased, and there were subsequently fewer issues. This outcome was traced back to the peptide’s ability to boost the levels of matrix metalloproteinase protein, which in turn reduced the number of collagen-damaging cells and stopped the fibrosis from setting in.
Also, prostate cancer-afflicted rats were used in the research. The mice were given either the standard (optimal) dosage of B7-33 (the standard dose is what is generally given to exert anti-fibrosis effects) or a higher (superior) dose of B7-33 (higher dose than those exerting anti-fibrosis effects). Curiously, the results were the same at both dosages: blocking the progression of fibrosis and not encouraging the spread of prostate cancers. This result demonstrated that the peptide prevents cancer from spreading through the pERK pathway, not the cAMP activation pathway.
Evidence from Studies Showing Its Potential as a Coating
Bodies are well-known for their ability to mount a vigorous defense against any intruder. In most cases, the body will reject the foreign object via the process of fibrosis, which completely isolates the object and prevents it from causing any malfunction in the body. While this is positive when dealing with antigens and disease-causing elements, it poses a challenge when undergoing a body transplant. An example is a cardiac stent, which the body would likely reject if implanted since it is a foreign object, causing potentially fatal complications, including blockage and heart attack. Coating specific medical tools with B7-33 peptides may help with this problem.
In one experiment, animals were treated with the peptide and placed in a device to reduce fibrosis. The decline in device thickness was reduced by 49.2 percent throughout the 6-week research due to the peptide release from the coating. While this is only the beginning, the findings show great promise for using the peptide as a covering material for medical devices and implants, making them safer for subjects.
Adverse Reactions to B7-33 Peptide
Since B7-33 is a relatively new peptide, studies and clinical trials are still in their early stages. Due to the ongoing trials, we don’t yet know the full extent of potential adverse effects, but it’s reasonable to assume that some side effects will be typical of other peptides. Among them are:
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- The common cold, including symptoms of a hacking cough, a high temperature, and a feeling of general mal
- Soreness in the Joints
Current Status
In 2016, a group led by researcher M.A. Hossain produced a peptide called B7-33 and investigated its effects. Since then, several mouse studies have been performed, all of which have shown that the peptide is effective as an anti-fibrotic medication, providing the first novel approach to treating fibrosis and heart failure in two decades.
There have been no clinical studies for this peptide, and the FDA has not yet approved it. This substance is only available for laboratory use and has not been cleared for use on people.
Summary
Single-chain B7-33 peptide is a mammalian analog of the naturally occurring H2 relaxin protein. The peptide deviates structurally from the parent molecule by its more extended COOH terminus.
First, the peptide exerts its effects through the pERK pathway without activating cAMP, preventing cancer cell metastasis. The peptide is also more cost-effective than H2 relaxin since it is simpler to manufacture.
In addition to these advantages, B7-33 also has remarkable anti-fibrosis actions in the body, which may be helpful in the treatment of a variety of cardiovascular and pulmonary illnesses. It is also a good choice for treating preeclampsia since it has vasoprotective characteristics. Early studies have shown promise for using the peptide to treat various health issues.
