Potential role of biopeptides in the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Abstract

Purpose of Review: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is chronic interstitial pneumonia with an unclear etiology. Abnormal production of inflammatory chemokines, cytokines, and growth factors together with altered cellular recruitment interfere with the healing process. Given their associations with the molecular mediators involved in the pathophysiology of IPF, this review emphasizes the therapeutic potential of biopeptides.Recent Findings: IPF prevalence is predicted to range from 0.33 to 4.51 per 10,000 people worldwide. This condition may be caused by environmental or genetic factors that exaggerate occurrences. The bioactive peptides may treat conditions including fibrosis, cancer, immune system disorders, and cardiovascular diseases by interacting with multiple biological processes. Poor chemical and physical stability and short plasma half-life are the issues that largely hinder their therapeutic use.Summary: IPF is a serious lung disorder characterized by scarring and thickening of the lung tissue that eventually leads to respiratory failure. Its symptoms can be transient or enduring, and the median survival time in IPF patients ranges between 2.8 to 4.2 years. Fibrosis has been associated with a variety of mechanisms, including the clotting cascade, antioxidant pathways, apoptosis, inflammatory cytokines, and vascular remodeling which can be targeted using biopeptides which can provide certain druggable leads in treating IPF.

Keywords

• Biological peptides
• Molecular pathways of fibrosis
• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Antifibrotic
• Inflammatory cytokines
• TGF–β