Cartalax has a wide range of biological activities, including effects on skin fibroblasts, modulation of gene expression in senescent cells, proliferation of chondrocytes, and nephroprotective effects. These properties make it a promising candidate for further research in the field of regenerative medicine and age-related therapeutic methods. Cartalax and age-related skin changes. The AED peptide (Cartalax) demonstrates a multifaceted anti-aging effect on skin fibroblasts, affecting key cellular and molecular pathways. Studies show that Cartalax inhibits matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), an enzyme associated with extracellular matrix degradation during aging, while enhancing markers of cell proliferation (Ki-67) and regeneration (CD98hc). It reduces apoptosis by suppressing the activity of caspase-3, a critically important enzyme in programmed cell death. As a multifunctional peptide, Cartalax effectively penetrates skin barriers and exhibits gerontoprotective properties, normalizing extracellular matrix homeostasis, stimulating fibroblast activity and acting as an antioxidant. It also improves microcirculation in the dermis, maintaining the vitality of the skin during the aging process. These mechanisms make AED a promising candidate for interventions aimed at age-related skin changes.

Cartalax and Kidney health

The AED peptide (Cartalax) demonstrates potential anti-aging effects in kidney cells by modulating key molecular pathways. Research shows that AED increases cell proliferation while reducing the expression of aging markers such as p16, p21, and p53, as well as increasing levels of SIRT6, a protein associated with longevity and DNA repair. This peptide interacts with the small groove of DNA, in particular by binding to sequences such as d(ATATATATAT)2, which can affect the expression patterns of genes associated with cellular aging. In comparative studies, AED and the EDL peptide proved to be less effective than the polypeptide complex obtained from calf kidneys in stimulating kidney cell renewal and suppressing apoptosis, although both peptides still showed measurable activity. These results highlight the role of AED in mitigating the age-related decline in cellular activity, making it a candidate for the treatment of kidney disease or aging pathologies.

Cartalax and cellular aging

One study examined the effect of the short peptide Ala-Glu-Asp (AED) along with two other peptides on gene expression in human mesenchymal stem cells undergoing aging in two models: "passages" and "stationary" cultures. AED, like other peptides, significantly affected genes related to cellular aging. It increased the expression of the IGF1 gene by 3.5-5.6 times in both models and stimulated the expression of the NFkB gene, which is associated with inflammation and cellular stress responses. The study also revealed differences in the response of aging models to peptides, especially in TERT expression, which was eight times higher in "stationary" cultures, suggesting a link to cellular longevity. These results show that AED and related peptides can modulate key aging-related genes at nanomolar concentrations, potentially providing insight into the mechanisms of cellular aging.

Potential in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases

Studies show that the AED peptide, along with other peptides, can promote the differentiation of neurons in human periodontal ligament stem cells. This suggests potential applications in the study of neurogenesis and the development of treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.

Cartilage regeneration and gerontoprotection

Cartalax has demonstrated efficacy in stimulating chondrocyte proliferation in both young and old rats, indicating its potential for gerontoprotection and use in osteoarthritis models. It significantly increases the number of chondrocytes, which suggests its role in the regeneration of cartilage tissue.

Links

1. Linkova, N., Drobintseva, A., Orlova, O., Kuznetsova, E., Polyakova, V., Kvetnoy, I., & Khavinson, V. (2016). Peptide Regulation of Skin Fibroblast Functions during Their Aging In Vitro. Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine, 161, 175 – 178. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10517-016-3370-x
2. Khavinson, V., Linkova, N., Diatlova, A., Gutop, E., & Orlova, O. (2020). [Short peptides: regulation of skin function during aging.]. Advances in gerontology = Uspekhi gerontologii, 33 1, 46-54 . https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32362083/
3. Khavinson, V. K.h, Tarnovskaia, S. I., Lin’kova, N. S., Poliakova, V. O., Durnova, A. O., Nichik, T. E., Kvetnoĭ, I. M., D’iakonov, M. M., & Iakutseni, P. P. (2014). Advances in gerontology = Uspekhi gerontologii, 27(4), 651–656. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25946838/
4. Chalisova, N. I., Lin’kova, N. S., Nichik, T. E., Ryzhak, A. P., Dudkov, A. V., & Ryzhak, G. A. (2015). Peptide Regulation of Cells Renewal Processes in Kidney Tissue Cultures from Young and Old Animals. Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine, 159(1), 124–127. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10517-015-2906-9
5. Ashapkin, V., Khavinson, V., Shilovsky, G., Linkova, N., & Vanuyshin, B. (2020). Gene expression in human mesenchymal stem cell aging cultures: modulation by short peptides. Molecular biology reports, 47(6), 4323–4329. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-020-05506-3
6. Caputi, S., Trubiani, O., Sinjari, B., Trofimova, S., Diomede, F., Linkova, N., Diatlova, A., & Khavinson, V. (2019). Effect of short peptides on neuronal differentiation of stem cells. International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology, 33. https://doi.org/10.1177/2058738419828613
7. Myakisheva, S., Linkova, N., Polyakova, V., & Ryzhak, G. (2023). PEPTIDES OF CARTILAGE TISSUE: REGULATION OF CHONDROCYTE PROLIFERATION, GEROPROTECTION AND PROSPECTS FOR USE IN OSTEOARTHROSIS. Vrach. https://doi.org/10.29296/25877305-2023-10-08