Technologies

Invention Summary
Erythropoeitin (Epo) is a hematopoietic growth factor widely used in the treatment of anemia and has been claimed to have direct neuroprotective effects. However, long-term Epo therapy can lead to the excessive elevation of platelets and red blood cells in non-anemic individuals. A short Epo-derived peptide has recently been shown to induce differentiation and prevent cell death in rodent and human neuronal cell lines while lacking the erythro-proliferative effects. The present invention is a method for treating inflammatory disorders and traumatic brain injury with Epo-derived short peptides. These Epo-derived short peptides have been found to be highly protective in mouse models of EAE, acute stroke, and brain injury. The protection was maintained during long term observation in EAE mice and was not associated with hematological side effects. These peptides protect against tissue damage by significantly diminishing tissue responses to injury which are mediated by the inflammatory network. They reduce the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II over-expression, reduce inflammatory cytokines, and suppress antigen-specific T cell function in peripheral lymphoid tissue and brain tissue as well as inin vitrotissue culture assays. Moreover, the addition of a small bicyclic compound to the N- or C- terminal of the short Epo peptides increases their stability without affecting their biological activity.