The researchers found a significant peptide derived from natural human proteins that can fight viruses while promoting tissue regeneration and wound healing.
This breakthrough substance, called AC-Tβ1-17, shows that while accelerating cell growth, angiogenesis, and healing processes in laboratory studies, inhibiting critical CoVID-19 viral enzymes is more than 85%, in laboratory studies how we deal with infectious diseases and regenerative medicine.
The peptide comes from the decomposition of thymosin β4, a protein that naturally occurs throughout the human body. Unlike traditional therapeutic agents targeting a single problem, this metabolite addresses multiple health challenges simultaneously, providing hope for more versatile and effective treatments.
From protein decomposition to medical breakthrough
The discovery originated from the study of peptide metabolites – small fragments produced when large proteins naturally break down in the body. These molecular residues are often overlooked in drug development and may have therapeutic potential beyond their parent proteins.
“This study demonstrates that protein metabolites can be used not only as new drugs, but also as biomaterials for tissue regeneration, confirming their potential to expand into various biomedical applications,” explains Dr. Hyung-Seop Han of the Center for Biomaterials Research at the Institute of Science and Technology, South Korea.
The research team led by Dr. Han, along with colleagues Dae-Geun Song and Oh-Seung Kwon, identified AC-Tβ1-17 by systematically screening thymosin β4 metabolites. Their analysis showed 13 different metabolic fragments, but AC-Tβ1-17 stood out for its excellent biological activity.
Dual action against disease and damage
Laboratory tests show the impressive versatility of AC-Tβ1-17 in multiple therapeutic areas:
- Antiviral activity: The main protease (MPRO) of SARS-COV-2 inhibits 85.77%, while the inhibitory effect of the parent protein is only 7.09%.
- Wound healing: Closure rate significantly increased in cell culture studies
- Vascular formation: Promoting angiogenesis is essential for tissue repair
- Cellular protection: Scavenge harmful reactive oxygen species
- Growth promotion: Increase cell proliferation and migration
The antiviral mechanism of this peptide involves binding to the major protease of Covid-19, a vital viral replicative enzyme. Detailed molecular analysis shows that the C-terminal region of the peptide forms specific bonds with the active site of the enzyme, thus effectively blocking viral function.
Engineering treatment scaffolding
In addition to its direct therapeutic effect, the researchers also successfully incorporated AC-Tβ1-17 into the biomaterial scaffold, a structural framework that supports tissue growth and repair. The peptide-enhanced scaffolding maintains the bioactivity of the molecule while providing sustained release within a few days.
When human vascular cells were cultured on these scaffolds, the researchers observed enhanced cell adhesion, proliferation, and vascularization compared to control materials. The porous structure of the scaffold allows for progressive release of the peptide while supporting cell growth throughout the matrix.
Importantly, even after high temperature (80-90°C) scaffold preparation, the peptide retains its activity, which is advantageous over protein-based growth factors in this case usually degrades.
Revealed molecular mechanisms
A comprehensive analysis of the effects of AC-Tβ1-17 on human umbilical vein endothelial cells reveals the complex molecular mechanism of the peptide. Treatment significantly upregulates genes are crucial for cell survival and growth, including AKT, ERK, PI3K, MEK and BCL-2.
Protein expression studies identified 18 significantly upregulated proteins and four downregulated proteins after treatment. Many of these proteins are involved in key cellular pathways, including the EGFR-VEGFR cascade, which is the basis for vascular development and tissue repair.
The peptide also affects the balance between cell death and survival signals, thereby reducing the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio to prefer cell survival, which is for effective tissue regeneration.
From laboratory to clinical commitment
To validate cell cultures outside their findings, the researchers tested AC-Tβ1-17 in fetal mouse metaTarsal bone explants, a good model for studying vascular formation. Five-day treatment significantly improved the development of bone size and vascular networks, and had enhanced vascular density, branching and connectivity.
Safety tests show that even at concentrations up to 1000 μg/mL, there is no toxicity in various cell types or red blood cells. This advantageous safety profile reflects the natural origin of the peptide from human proteins.
The study explores growing interest in peptide-based therapeutics, especially after recent successes such as Wegovy’s weight management. However, most current peptide drugs target individual diseases, making AC-Tβ1-17’s multifunctional capability particularly noteworthy.
A new paradigm for drug discovery
This work represents a paradigm shift in therapeutic development, suggesting that researchers should examine protein metabolites more carefully rather than just focusing on complete proteins. Naturally decomposed products may provide enhanced or novel biological activity compared to precursors.
Dr. Song from the research team pointed out: “We will continue to use natural bioactive materials for research to be used in practical applications in antiviral drugs, functional biomaterials and other regions.”
Given the safety advantages of naturally occurring metabolites, this approach may be particularly valuable. Since these debris usually appear in healthy humans, they may face fewer regulatory barriers and exhibit better biocompatibility than synthetic alternatives.
Future applications and challenges
The researchers envision various applications of AC-Tβ1-17, from independent antiviral treatments to complex tissue engineering scaffolds. The dual function of peptides may prove particularly valuable under complex conditions requiring infection control and tissue repair.
However, there are still some challenges before clinical application. Researchers must determine the best dosing regimen, delivery methods and potential side effects throughout the organism. The stability of peptides in biological systems and manufacturing scalability also needs to be studied.
Dr. Quan highlighted the collaborative nature of this breakthrough: “The metabolite of thymosin β4 has been identified as a drug candidate through collaborative research, and we expect it to be widely applicable to advances in this field.”
As the team continues to develop practical applications, their work opens new avenues to explore how natural molecular recycling processes produce the most effective drugs tomorrow. In an era where single target drugs are often insufficient, multifunctional molecules such as AC-Tβ1-17 may represent the future of therapeutic innovation.
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