Epigenetic aspects of peptidergic regulation of vascular endothelial cell proliferation during aging

This study investigated the epigenetic mechanisms by which Vesugen (tripeptide KED — Lys-Glu-Asp) regulates vascular endothelial cell proliferation during aging. Researchers from the Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology in Saint Petersburg used endothelial cell cultures from young and elderly donors, combining immunocytochemistry and peptide-DNA interaction analyses.

The results demonstrated that Vesugen stimulated Ki-67 protein expression — a classic marker of cell proliferation — in both young and aged endothelial cells. Crucially, the researchers identified that the peptide directly interacts with the promoter region of the MKI67 gene, suggesting a mechanism of transcriptional epigenetic regulation.

• The proliferative effect was more pronounced in aged endothelial cells, with greater capacity for "rejuvenation"
• The peptide-DNA interaction was demonstrated through molecular modeling techniques
• Vesugen partially restored the proliferation rate of old cells to levels comparable to young cells
• The proposed mechanism involves modulation of chromatin accessibility in the promoter region

These findings are significant for suggesting that short peptides can exert biological effects through direct epigenetic regulation, a central concept in Khavinson's peptide bioregulator theory. Vesugen's ability to restore endothelial proliferation in aged cells has potential implications for the treatment of vascular diseases associated with aging.