ARA290 (Cibinetide) (Synonyms: ARA290)

ARA290 is an EPO-derivative, acting as a specific agonist of erythropoietin/CD131 heteroreceptor, and used for neurological disease treatment.

ARA290 enhances the proliferation, migration, and resistance to H2O2-induced apoptosis of endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs)[1]. ARA290 is an EPO-analog peptide without hematopoietic side-effects but may have neurotrophic and antidepressant effects[2].

After ECFC transplantation to mice with CLI, a single ARA290 injection enhances the ischemic/non-ischemic ratio of hindlimb blood flow and capillary density after 28 days and the homing of radiolabeled transplanted cells to the ischemic leg 4 h after transplantation[1]. ARA290 (30 μg/kg, s.c.) prevents progressive worsening of glucose control without affecting body weight of rats. ARA290 significantly decreases glucose AUCs in IPGTT in GK rats[2]. Low-dosage ARA290 (35 μg/kg, i.p.) treatment only slightly attenuates the EAE severity in rats. ARA290-treating group (70 μg/kg, i.p.) significantly delays the onset, decreases the neurologic severity and shortens the duration of EAE in a dose-dependent way[3].

[1]. Hache G, et al. ARA290, a Specific Agonist of Erythropoietin/CD131 Heteroreceptor, Improves Circulating Endothelial Progenitors' Angiogenic Potential and Homing Ability. Shock. 2016 Oct;46(4):390-7 [2]. Carole Muller, et al. ARA290 Improves Insulin Release and Glucose Tolerance in Type 2 Diabetic Goto-Kakizaki Rats. Mol Med. 2015; 21(1): 969-978 [3]. Chen H, et al. Therapeutic effects of nonerythropoietic erythropoietin analog ARA290 in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis rat. J Neuroimmunol. 2014 Mar 15;268(1-2):64-70