Scientists from the University of Birmingham have discovered that a peptide called PEPITEM can “restore” the immune system of older people and reduce the intensity of inflammation in the body, thereby reducing the risk of developing age-related diseases. Research results published In the npj journal Aging.
PEPITEM (Peptide Inhibitor of Trans-Endothelial Migration) was first identified by scientists at the University of Birmingham in 2015. It is produced and found in low concentrations in the body of every person. Some studies have shown that it can slow down the development of osteoporosis and obesity due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
In the new study, the scientists focused on the immunostimulatory and anti-inflammatory properties of PEPITEM. The researchers explained that long-term, chronic inflammation is a factor in the development of age-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis.
An experiment conducted on mice showed that PEPITEM has a positive effect on the transport of leukocytes (white blood cells) in the body and reduces the overly intense immune response that triggers inflammation. Scientists also found that with age, the activity of PEPITEM in the human body decreases, which leads to increased penetration of immune cells into tissues and also triggers chronic inflammation.
The reason for this decrease in the level of peptide is insufficient activity of the hormone adiponectin, which triggers the production of a larger protein (14-3-3ζ) from which PEPITEM is produced.
According to scientists, artificially increasing the concentration of PEPITEM in the body of older people can “revitalize” the immune system of the elderly by normalizing the number, subtype and migration rate of immune cells. Future drugs targeting this peptide will not only help increase the immune system’s ability to fight foreign antigens, but also prevent dangerous inflammation.
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