Identification and Mechanism Elucidation of Anti-Inflammatory Peptides in Jinhua Ham: An Integrative In Silico and In Vitro Study

JHP-7 (QLLEELKR), a heptapeptide derived from Jinhua ham, may ameliorate intrauterine adhesion (IUA) via inhibiting inflammatory response and apoptosis

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the effect of JHP-7(QLLEELKR) derived from Jinhua ham on IUA, in order to provide new methods and new ideas for the clinical treatment of IUA.

METHODS

The JHP-7 was synthesized by solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS). An in vitro model (human endometrial epithelial cells (HEECs) induced by 10 ng/mL TGF-β1) and an in vivo model (C57BL/6 mice induced by mechanical curettage and LPS stimulation) were used in the study. In vitro, HEEC were co-cultured with TGF-β1with or without JHP-7 (1 μM and 10 μM) for 48 h, followed by RT-qPCR and Western blotting analysis. Meanwhile, the fluorescent ROS probe was employed to assess oxidative stress levels. In vivo, IUA mice were preventively treated with JHP-7 (150 μg/kg/d and 300 μg/kg/d) for 14 days, after which uterine tissues were collected for histopathological evaluation using H&E and Masson staining, as well as molecular analysis via RT-qPCR and Western blotting to measure mRNA and protein expression levels.

RESULTS

In vitro, JHP-7 significantly inhibited the expression of proinflammatory and fibrosis markers, reduced the ROS, and protected endometrial function. Further studies showed that JHP-7 inhibited the apoptosis of TGF-β1-induced HEECs, and reduced the expression of TLR4, p-NF-κB, and p-MAPK. In vivo, JHP-7 significantly improved the uterine morphology and reduced collagen deposition in IUA mice. Reduced expression of TLR4, MyD88, p-NF-κB, p-MAPK and up-regulating expression of Bcl2 were also detected after JHP-7 treatment.

CONCLUSION

JHP-7 could ameliorate IUA via inhibiting inflammation and apoptosis, which may be related to the TLR4/MyD88/MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Identification of a novel peptide with anti-inflammatory activity from Binglangjiang buffalo fermented milk and its potential inhibitory mechanism in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells

Binglangjiang buffalo fermented milk (BBFM) is rich in bioactive peptides and exhibits significant immunomodulatory activity, although the specific components and effects are not well understood. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory activity peptides from BBFM using peptidomics and proteomics. A total of 769 peptides were identified using LC-MS/MS. Among these, a novel peptide (GPGAPADPGRPTG (GG13)), was screened out using LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. The molecular weight of peptide GG13 was 1149.56 Da, and it exhibited high in-vitro safety and thermal stability. Furthermore, ELISA and Western blot analysis showed that peptide GG13 significantly inhibited the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines NO and TNF-α, as well as the expression of proteins iNOS and TNF-α in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, and proteomics analysis showed that peptide GG13 significantly down-regulated the protein expression of STAT1, NOS2, COX2, and CD40. The study provides a basis for further explore the development of health fermented milk products.

Immunomodulatory peptides from sturgeon cartilage: Isolation, identification, molecular docking and effects on RAW264.7 cells

Sturgeons (Acipenseridae), ancient fish known for their caviar, produce underutilized by-products like protein-rich cartilage, which is a source of high-quality bioactive peptides. This study investigates immunomodulatory peptides from sturgeon cartilage hydrolysates mechanisms. The study found that sturgeon cartilage hydrolysate F2-7 and its key peptides(DHVPLPLP and HVPLPLP)significantly promoted RAW267.4 cell proliferation, NO release, and phagocytosis (P < 0.001).Additionally, western blotting confirmed that F2-7 enhances immune response by increasing the expression of P-IKKα/β, IΚΚ, p65, and P-p65 proteins in the NF-κB signalling pathway (P < 0.01). Molecular docking further demonstrated that DHVPLPLP and HVPLPLP bind to NF-κB pathway proteins via hydrogen bonding, with low estimated binding energies (-2.75 and -1.64; -6.04 and -4.75 kcal/mol), thus establishing their role as key immune peptides in F2-7. Therefore, DHVPLPLP and HVPLPLP have the potential to be developed as dietary supplements for immune enhancement. Their ability to enhance immune function provides a theoretical basis for novel immune supplements.

Defatted Wheat Germ Protein-Derived Peptides Showed Multiple Biological Activities from the Stomach to Small Intestine: In Silico and In Vitro Approaches

This study aimed to test the hypothesis that bioactive peptides can exert multiple bioactivities at different sites in the gastrointestinal tract. Our previous research identified 33 gastric-resistant peptides derived from wheat germ with potential antiadhesive activity against Helicobacter pylori in the stomach. In this work, in silico digestion of these peptides with trypsin, thermolysin, and chymotrypsin produced 67 peptide fragments. Molecular docking was conducted to predict their ACE and DPP-IV inhibitory activities in the small intestine. Three peptides (VPIPNPSGDR, VPY, and AR) were selected and synthesized for in vitro validation. Their generation in the gastrointestinal tract was verified via in vitro digestion, followed by mass spectrometry analysis. The IC50 values for ACE inhibition were 199.5 μM (VPIPNPSGDR), 316.3 μM (VPY), and 446.7 μM (AR). For DPP-IV inhibition, their IC50 values were 0.5, 1.6, and 4.0 mM, respectively. This research pioneers new directions in the emerging field of multifunctional peptides, providing scientific evidence to support the utilization of wheat germ as value-added food ingredients.

Identification and Molecular Mechanism of Novel Two-Way Immunomodulatory Peptides from Ovalbumin: In Vitro Cell Experiments, De Novo Sequencing, and Molecular Docking

The purpose of this study was to identify ovalbumin-derived immunomodulatory peptides by in vitro cell experiments, de novo sequencing, and molecular docking. Ovalbumin hydrolysates were prepared by two enzymes (alkaline protease and papain) individually, sequentially, or simultaneously, respectively. The simultaneous enzymatic hydrolysate (OVAH) had a high degree of hydrolysis (38.12 ± 0.48%) and exhibited immune-enhancing and anti-inflammatory activities. A total of 160 peptides were identified by LC-MS/MS in OVAH. Three novel peptides NVMEERKIK, ADQARELINS, and WEKAFKDE bound to TLR4-MD2 through hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions with high binding affinity and binding energies of -181.40, -178.03, and -168.12 kcal/mol, respectively. These three peptides were synthesized and validated for two-way immunomodulatory activity. NVMEERKIK exhibiting the strongest immunomodulatory activity, increased NO and TNF-α levels by 128.69 and 38.01%, respectively, in normal RAW264.7 cells and reduced NO and TNF-α levels by 27.31 and 39.13%, respectively, in lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory RAW264.7 cells. Overall, this study first revealed that ovalbumin could be used as an immunomodulatory source for controlling inflammatory factor secretion.