Neuroprotection by a novel immunomodulatory peptide [P9 mice]

Perinatal brain injury is a major clinical problem associated with high neonatal mortality and morbidity and an increased risk of life-long chronic disabilities. Despite improved survival rates, the absolute numbers of neurological handicaps of perinatal origin have not decreased. There is currently no pharmacological treatment providing neuroprotction in neonates. As activation of the innate immune response is a key contributing factor to brain injury in both term and preterm infants we investigated the therapeutic potential of novel immunomodulatory innate defence regulator peptides (IDRs) in perinatal brain injury. IDR-1018 significantly reduced the production of inflammatory mediators by LPS-stimulated microglia cells in vitro.

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