Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, known as lung emphysema, leads to the obstruction of airways, inflammation, destruction of lung tissue and significant reduction of lung capacity. Recently an impressive collaborative research by scientists from Boston University, University of Groningen (Netherlands), University of British Columbia and University of Pennsylvania identified 127 genes whose expression is significantly associated with emphysema severity. Among those genes whose expression was elevated were genes involved in inflammation, while expression of genes involved in repair was markedly decreased. A search for compounds that could reverse adverse changes in gene expression yielded the tri-peptide GHK (Gly-His-Lys) as the most likely candidate.
Using the Connectivity Map, which allows researchers to
conduct a sweeping search for gene modifying compounds, they established that
the tri-peptide GHK reduced expression of genes involved in lung destruction
and inflammation, while activating those genes involved in tissue repair. Furthermore,
when lung fibroblasts from emphysema lungs were incubated with the GHK peptide,
they showed great improvement in their function. If before the GHK peptide
treatment lung fibroblasts from emphysema lung were not able to successfully
remodel collagen and assemble it into fibrils, after addition of only 10
nanomolar GHK, their function was fully restored.
The GHK peptide discovered by Dr. Pickart is well known for
its ability to remodel aging skin, reduce inflammation and scarring, improve
skin tone and elasticity, as well as reduce mottled pigmentation and skin
laxity. This new research sheds light on some mechanisms of its beneficial
action. By activating genes associated with tissue repair and remodeling and
inhibiting genes involved in inflammation and tissue destruction, the
tri-peptide GHK may indeed reverse changes associated with skin aging, restoring
beautiful and radiant skin appearance.
