Peptide points to potential breakthrough in combating inflammaging

Naturally occurring peptide, PEPITEM, shows promise in rejuvenating immune response in older individuals and protecting against inflammaging.

Recent research published in the journal npj Aging highlights the potential of the peptide PEPITEM (Peptide Inhibitor of Trans-Endothelial Migration) to mitigate age-related inflammation, commonly referred to as inflammaging, and restore normal immune function in the elderly. While the role of the PEPITEM pathway has already been demonstrated in immune-mediated diseases, this study, led by the University of Birmingham, is the first to produce data that demonstrates that PEPITEM has the potential to increase healthspan in an aging population. The study marks a key advancement in understanding how aging adversely influences the inflammatory response and explores the potential of PEPITEM to counteract these effects.

My take on this: Inflammaging is characterized by chronic, low-grade inflammation that contributes to the decline in immune function and the onset of age-related diseases. Presenting significant challenges to longevity and healthspan, this phenomenon is placing an increasing burden on global healthcare systems as populations age. Innovative geroprotective solutions are warranted in response, but current therapies for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases and age-related conditions target inflammatory and pathological mediators that drive disease. In contrast, say the authors, PEPITEM represents a unique approach, as it not only dampens excessive inflammation, but supports the maintenance of immune homeostasis.

In a healthy immune system, PEPITEM regulates the movement of immune cells between the bloodstream and body tissues, preventing an exaggerated immune response. In immune-mediated diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes and lupus, the PEPITEM pathway is dysregulated, resulting in chronic inflammation due to increased immune cell migration into tissues. This study extended these findings by using an animal model to examine how aging affects immune responses and how PEPITEM influences leukocyte (white blood cell) trafficking in both young and older mice.

The results were revealing: older mice exhibited a heightened immune response, characterized by an increased number, subtype, and migration of immune cells, particularly T-cells. Administration of PEPITEM significantly reduced this exaggerated response, suggesting that the activity of the PEPITEM pathway declines with age. Further investigation involved analyzing B-cells from human donors of different age groups, which revealed that B-cells from older adults had a deficit in the signaling pathway that triggers the production of the parent protein for PEPITEM.

“We have shown an age-related decline in the PEPITEM-adiponectin pathway and demonstrated the influence this has on T-cell trafficking, as seen in inflammageing,” said Dr Myriam Chimen, Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, and corresponding author on the paper.

Dive deeper into PEPITEM's groundbreaking study results and potential applications right HERE.

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