Research Peptide

ARA-290

Alternative Name: Cibinetide, pHBSP

Sequence Length: 11 amino acid peptide

Molecular Structure

2D molecular structure of the ARA-290 research peptide

Chemical Properties

Molecular Mass: 1257.4 g/mol

Molecular Formula: C65H92N18O16

CAS Number: 1002360-15-1

Sequence: QEQLERALNSS

Half-Life: 2 minutes

Typical Purity: >98%

Administration Routes: subcutaneous

ARA-290 Overview

ARA-290, also known as Cibinetide or pHBSP (Helix B Surface Peptide), is a synthetic peptide composed of 11 amino acids with the sequence QEQLERALNSS. It has a molecular weight of approximately 1,257 Da.

ARA-290 was developed from a small region of erythropoietin (EPO), a naturally occurring protein involved in regulating red blood cell production. Researchers identified a specific region of EPO associated with receptor signaling outside of the classical erythropoietic pathway and engineered ARA-290 to investigate these biological mechanisms independently.

 

Research Background

ARA-290 originated from research exploring the multiple receptor systems associated with erythropoietin. Although EPO is primarily recognized for its role in erythropoiesis, published studies identified an additional receptor complex known as the innate repair receptor (IRR).

This discovery led researchers to investigate whether a smaller peptide derived from EPO could selectively interact with the innate repair receptor while minimizing activation of the classical erythropoietic receptor.

ARA-290 was designed from the Helix B region of EPO, making it one of the earliest examples of receptor-selective peptide engineering. Its development has contributed to ongoing research into receptor biology, inflammatory signaling, tissue biology, and cellular communication.

 

 

Research Status

ARA-290 remains an investigational research compound.

Published literature consists primarily of laboratory, preclinical, and pharmacological research examining receptor selectivity, molecular signaling, and biological activity. Limited published clinical research exists, but additional investigation is needed to further characterize its biological properties.

The available evidence continues to expand as researchers investigate receptor biology, intracellular signaling pathways, and experimental applications across multiple areas of tissue biology.

 

 

Regulatory Status

ARA-290 is an investigational research compound and has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

ARA-290 is intended for Research Use Only (RUO) and laboratory investigation.

 

 

Laboratory Storage

ARA-290 is commonly supplied as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) peptide.

General laboratory storage recommendations include:

  • Store lyophilized material refrigerated or frozen according to manufacturer guidance.
  • Protect from excessive heat, moisture, and repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
  • Store reconstituted material according to laboratory protocols and manufacturer recommendations.
  • Follow product-specific stability documentation whenever available.

 

Research Use Only: ARA-290 is intended exclusively for laboratory research and analytical purposes. It is an investigational research compound and has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

 

Mechanism of Action

ARA-290 was developed through receptor-selective peptide engineering based on erythropoietin (EPO). Researchers discovered that EPO interacts with two different receptor systems. The first is the classical EPO receptor, which regulates red blood cell production. The second is the innate repair receptor (IRR), a receptor complex found in many tissue types that has become an important area of investigation in inflammation, cellular signaling, and tissue biology.

ARA-290 was designed from a small region of EPO known as Helix B. Its 11-amino-acid sequence (QEQLERALNSS) was selected because it is believed to interact primarily with the innate repair receptor while minimizing activation of the classical erythropoietic receptor.

 

Receptor Signaling

Experimental research suggests ARA-290 activates the innate repair receptor (IRR), which consists of the erythropoietin receptor (EPOR) and the beta-common receptor (CD131). This receptor complex has been identified in several tissue types, including:

  • Nervous tissue
  • Cardiovascular tissue
  • Blood vessels
  • Skin
  • Kidney tissue
  • Retinal tissue
  • Immune cells

Activation of this receptor has been investigated as part of normal cellular signaling and tissue-response mechanisms.

 

Cellular Signaling Pathways

Published research suggests ARA-290 may influence several intracellular signaling pathways involved in biological regulation, including:

  • JAK/STAT signaling, associated with cellular communication and inflammatory signaling.
  • MAPK signaling, involved in cell growth, differentiation, and tissue remodeling.
  • PI3K/Akt signaling, associated with cellular metabolism and survival pathways.
  • NF-kB signaling, a pathway commonly investigated in studies of inflammatory signaling and immune regulation.

These signaling pathways continue to be studied to better understand their role in the biological activity of ARA-290.

 

Inflammatory Signaling Research

Laboratory and preclinical studies have investigated ARA-290 in models involving inflammatory signaling.

Areas of investigation include:

  • Cytokine signaling
  • Macrophage activity
  • Immune-cell signaling
  • Neutrophil activity
  • Regulatory immune pathways

These studies focus on understanding how activation of the innate repair receptor may influence cellular communication during experimental tissue responses.

 

Nerve Biology Research

The innate repair receptor is expressed in nervous tissue, making ARA-290 a subject of investigation in experimental models of nerve biology.

Published research has examined its relationship with:

  • Neuronal signaling
  • Schwann cell biology
  • Myelin organization
  • Axonal structure
  • Small nerve-fiber biology
  • Mitochondrial signaling

Additional research is needed to further characterize these molecular interactions.

 

Vascular Biology Research

ARA-290 has also been investigated in laboratory models involving vascular biology.

Research has examined:

  • Endothelial signaling
  • Nitric oxide pathways
  • Microvascular function
  • Blood vessel biology
  • Tissue perfusion mechanisms
  • Angiogenic signaling

These investigations continue to explore the relationship between innate repair receptor activation and vascular signaling pathways.

 

Tissue Biology Research

Experimental models have also examined ARA-290 in tissue biology and cellular remodeling.

Published studies have investigated:

  • Connective tissue biology
  • Tissue remodeling
  • Extracellular matrix organization
  • Cellular migration
  • Granulation tissue formation
  • Fibrosis-related signaling
  • Angiogenesis

These studies are intended to better understand the biological processes involved in tissue organization and repair mechanisms.

 

Cardiac Tissue Research

The innate repair receptor has also been identified in cardiac tissue.

Experimental investigations have examined receptor signaling during models of myocardial stress and ischemia-reperfusion injury to better understand cellular signaling, inflammatory pathways, and tissue biology within the heart.

 

Receptor Selectivity

One of the defining characteristics of ARA-290 is its receptor selectivity.

Unlike full-length erythropoietin, which interacts with both the classical erythropoietic receptor and the innate repair receptor, ARA-290 was engineered to preferentially interact with the innate repair receptor.

This receptor-selective design has made ARA-290 an important research tool for investigating tissue signaling independently of classical erythropoietic receptor activation.

 

Pharmacokinetics

Published research indicates that ARA-290 has a relatively short plasma half-life. Like many small peptides, it is rapidly cleared through enzymatic degradation and renal filtration.

Although circulating concentrations decline quickly, researchers continue to investigate whether receptor activation initiates downstream molecular signaling that persists beyond the presence of the peptide in circulation.

 

Summary

ARA-290 is a receptor-selective research peptide derived from the Helix B region of erythropoietin. Published laboratory and preclinical studies have investigated its interaction with the innate repair receptor and its influence on multiple cellular signaling pathways, including JAK/STAT, MAPK, PI3K/Akt, and NF-kB.

Current research focuses on inflammatory signaling, tissue biology, nerve biology, vascular biology, and receptor-mediated cellular communication. Additional investigation is needed to further characterize its molecular mechanisms and biological activity.

 


 

Research Use Only: ARA-290 is intended exclusively for laboratory research and analytical purposes. It is an investigational research compound and has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Research Papers

ARA 290 for treatment of small fiber neuropathy in sarcoidosis. 

van Velzen M, Heij L, Niesters M, Cerami A, Dunne A, Dahan A, Brines M.  

Expert Opin Investig Drugs. 2014 Apr;23(4):541-50. doi: 10.1517/13543784.2014.892072. Epub 2014 Feb 21.PMID: 24555851 Review.

 

ARA 290, a nonerythropoietic peptide engineered from erythropoietin, improves metabolic control and neuropathic symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Brines M, Dunne AN, van Velzen M, Proto PL, Ostenson CG, Kirk RI, Petropoulos IN, Javed S, Malik RA, Cerami A, Dahan A.
Mol Med. 2015 Mar 13;20(1):658-66. doi: 10.2119/molmed.2014.00215.PMID: 25387363 Free PMC article. Clinical Trial.
 

ARA 290, a peptide derived from the tertiary structure of erythropoietin, produces long-term relief of neuropathic pain coupled with suppression of the spinal microglia response.

Swartjes M, van Velzen M, Niesters M, Aarts L, Brines M, Dunne A, Cerami A, Dahan A.
Mol Pain. 2014 Feb 16;10:13. doi: 10.1186/1744-8069-10-13.PMID: 24529189 Free PMC article.

Interaction Matrix

Synergistic:

  • BPC-157: Both have been proven in research settings to promote tissue repair through different receptor pathways

Compatible:

  • TB-500: Research practices indicate both show complimentary tissue repair mechanisms

Caution:  

  • Erythropoietin (EPO): ARA-290 was designed to counteract EPO effects. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is ARA-290?  ARA-290 is a synthetic 11-amino-acid research peptide derived from the Helix B region of erythropoietin (EPO). It has been investigated primarily for its receptor-selective biological activity. 
  1. What is ARA-290 being researched for?  Published studies have investigated ARA-290 in laboratory and preclinical models involving tissue biology, inflammatory signaling, vascular biology, peripheral nerve biology, immune signaling, and receptor-mediated cellular communication.
  1. How does ARA-290 work?  Experimental research suggests ARA-290 interacts primarily with the innate repair receptor (IRR), activating multiple intracellular signaling pathways including JAK/STAT, MAPK, PI3K/Akt, and NF-kB.
  1. What makes ARA-290 unique?  ARA-290 was engineered from the Helix B region of erythropoietin and is designed to selectively investigate innate repair receptor signaling while minimizing interaction with the classical erythropoietic receptor.
  1. Is ARA-290 FDA approved?  No. ARA-290 is an investigational research compound and has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
  1. What is the half-life of ARA-290?  Published pharmacokinetic studies suggest ARA-290 has a relatively short plasma half-life. Additional pharmacokinetic research is ongoing to further characterize its biological activity.
  1. What is the amino acid sequence of ARA-290?  ARA-290 consists of 11 amino acids with the sequence QEQLERALNSS.
  1. How should ARA-290 be stored?  ARA-290 is commonly supplied as a lyophilized peptide. Laboratory storage conditions should follow the manufacturer’s stability and storage recommendations.
  1. What is known about current ARA-290 research?  Current published research primarily investigates receptor selectivity, molecular signaling, inflammatory pathways, tissue biology, vascular biology, and cellular communication using laboratory and preclinical models.
  1. What research areas continue to be investigated?  Ongoing research continues to examine receptor signaling, inflammatory biology, connective tissue biology, vascular function, nerve biology, immune signaling, angiogenesis, metabolism, and intracellular signaling pathways.

 

Research Use Only: ARA-290 is intended exclusively for laboratory research and analytical purposes. It is an investigational research compound and has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Research Use Only

This information is provided for educational and scientific research purposes only. Products offered by Flatirons Research Co are intended strictly for laboratory and research use and are not intended for human or veterinary use, consumption, diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of disease. Nothing on this page constitutes medical advice, dosing guidance, or a recommendation for clinical use.