Peptide News Digest

#Inflammation

2 stories

Research · View digest

Feinstein Institutes' Opsonic Peptide OP18 Helps Immune Cells Clear Radiation-Induced Inflammatory Debris in Lab Tests

Researchers at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research reported in Frontiers in Immunology on October 12, 2026 that OP18, an opsonic peptide that tags damage signals such as histone H3 and HMGB1 for removal, increased the uptake of macrophage extracellular traps, sticky webs that radiation-damaged immune cells release, through the αvβ3 integrin. Clearing the traps eased mitochondrial stress in macrophages, raised the anti-inflammatory signal IL-10, and showed a trend toward lower NF-κB activation. The results come from cell experiments only.

Clinical Trials · View digest

Asahi Kasei and PeptiDream Dose First Patient in Phase I Trial of TNFR1 Antagonist Peptide AK1940

Asahi Kasei initiated a Phase I trial in Japan of AK1940, a selective TNF receptor 1 antagonist peptide discovered jointly with PeptiDream for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. The trial will assess PK, safety, and tolerability of single and multiple subcutaneous doses in healthy volunteers; preclinical models showed high TNFR1 selectivity and anti-inflammatory activity without blocking TNFR2 signaling.