Research At a Glance
- Research Category
- Immune & Cellular Defense Research
- Peptide Length
- 11 amino acids (EPO helix-B derived)
- Purity
- ≥ 99% (HPLC)
- Published Studies
- ~60 indexed
- Storage
- Lyophilized: 2–8 °C, protected from light. Reconstituted: 2–8 °C, use within 30 days.
Published-study figures are approximate PubMed result counts and indicate the volume of available literature only. Purity reflects third-party analytical testing on the corresponding lot; see the Quality Assurance Center for lot-matched certificates.
Overview
ARA-290 (INN: cibinetide) is a synthetic 11-amino-acid peptide engineered from the helix-B surface region of erythropoietin (EPO). It was designed to retain EPO's tissue-protective, anti-inflammatory signaling while eliminating the erythropoietic (red-blood-cell-stimulating) activity that limits EPO's use as a research tool.
ARA-290 acts through the innate repair receptor (IRR), a heteromeric complex of the classical EPO receptor and the beta-common receptor (CD131), which is selectively upregulated in injured or inflamed tissue and largely absent from healthy cells. This receptor selectivity is the basis for ARA-290's research interest in inflammation, neuroprotection, and tissue-repair models without the cardiovascular risk profile associated with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents.
Citation: Brines M., et al., PNAS, 2008
History
The IRR concept emerged from work by Dr. Michael Brines and colleagues at Araim Pharmaceuticals, who identified that EPO's tissue-protective effects could be structurally separated from its erythropoietic effects. By modeling the helix-B surface region of EPO, the team engineered ARA-290 to selectively engage the IRR pathway.
Since its initial characterization, ARA-290 has been studied in early-phase human research for sarcoidosis-associated small fiber neuropathy — including FDA Orphan Drug designation for that indication — as well as preclinical models of diabetic neuropathy, experimental autoimmune neuritis, and wound-healing biology.
Citation: Brines M., et al., PNAS, 2008
Structure
| CAS # | 1208243-50-8 |
|---|---|
| Molecular Formula | C51H76N14O19 |
| Molecular Weight | 1257.24 g/mol |
| PubChem CID | 91810664 |
Research Findings
ARA-290 has been studied in neuropathic, inflammatory, and autoimmune models, with reported activity centered on innate repair receptor (IRR) activation.
Key areas of research
- Neurological: Corneal and peripheral nerve fiber density, small fiber neuropathy, nerve regeneration and remyelination
- Immune: Suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, NF-kB signaling inhibition, T-helper cell differentiation (increased Treg/Th2, decreased Th1)
- Cellular protection: Anti-apoptotic signaling, Schwann cell proliferation
- Metabolic/vascular: Preclinical interest in diabetic neuropathy and retinopathy models
Summary. Together, these findings support ARA-290's research utility as a tool for isolating EPO's cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory signaling from its hematopoietic effects. Early-phase human studies in sarcoidosis-associated neuropathy — showing increased corneal nerve fiber density and reduced neuropathic pain scores — represent some of the only clinical-stage data among compounds in this catalog, though the evidence base remains limited to small trials and preclinical models.
Citation: Brines M., et al., PNAS, 2008
References
- Brines M., Patel N.S., Villa P., Brines C., Mennini T., De Paola M., Erbayraktar Z., Erbayraktar S., Sepodes B., Thiemermann C., Ghezzi P., Yamin M., Hand C.C., Xie Q.W., Coleman T., Cerami A. (2008). Nonerythropoietic, tissue-protective peptides derived from the tertiary structure of erythropoietin. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
- Pena A., et al. (2013). Erythropoietin-derived nonerythropoietic peptide ameliorates experimental autoimmune neuritis by inflammation suppression and tissue protection. PLOS ONE.
- Dahan A., et al. (2013). ARA 290 improves symptoms in patients with sarcoidosis-associated small nerve fiber loss and increases corneal nerve fiber density. Molecular Medicine.
Research Use Only
Provided for in-vitro laboratory research only. Not a drug, supplement, or cosmetic. Not for human or animal use.
Compound Specifications
| Classification | Erythropoietin-derived 11-amino-acid peptide |
|---|---|
| Format | Lyophilized powder |
| Purity | ≥99% (HPLC-verified per lot) |
| Storage | −20°C; refrigerate 2–8°C after laboratory handling |
Certificate of Analysis
Every lot is independently tested and lot-matched. View Certificates of Analysis