New peptides help to treat a variety of inflammatory diseases

An international research team has developed a candidate drug based on naturally produced C3a peptide, the physicist's organization network reported on May 14 C3a peptide is the core member of the immune response, which can enhance or prevent the influence of its activity, or it will help to treat asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, septicemia and other inflammatory diseases The related research report was published in the recently published journal of pharmaceutical chemistry   The team first created a three-dimensional structure called C3a receptor protein, which is located on the surface of human cells and plays a key role in regulating the complement system of the immune system The regulation of complement system is considered as a possible way to control over active immune response However, few drugs can directly locate the complement protein and C3a receptor This is partly because the complement system is so complex that it can sometimes dilute the immune response, while at other times it can trigger a stronger response   Then, scientists used computing technology to design new peptides that can enhance or block C3a activity, because they predicted that these peptides would react with the receptor to prevent or enhance their activity They calculated how the three-dimensional structure of a protein would change, and when it would change in its chemical sequence Based on the three-dimensional structure of naturally produced C3a peptide, which can normally regulate the C3a receptor in human cells, researchers have made antagonists and stimulants for C3a activity, which has unprecedented efficiency and accuracy The ability to design peptides to the desired shape allows scientists to pinpoint C3a receptors Finally, the researchers tested and analyzed the peptide in mouse cells and human cells, and confirmed that it was consistent with the previous theoretical prediction   In addition to helping to treat asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, septicemia and other inflammatory diseases, through the regulation of complement, we hope to treat reperfusion injury It usually occurs when the blood flow in the body is cut off for a short time, such as a heart attack or stroke, and the inflammatory reaction occurs when the blood returns Another possible application is organ transplantation, in which the body usually makes a destructive immune response against the newly introduced organs   Next, the team will test the new peptide on the animal model with inflammation They also plan to further explore the dual role of C3A in inflammation and try to develop more candidate drugs (source: Science and technology daily Zhang Weiwei)