Ara-290
A peptide derived from EPO (the hormone that boosts red blood cells) but engineered to keep only the tissue-protective effects — it doesn't increase red blood cells at all. It activates the body's repair receptors to protect tissues and regenerate nerves. Particularly promising for nerve damage and tissue injury from poor blood flow. People use it for diabetic nerve damage and similar conditions.
Dosage
2-8 mg subcutaneous (effects persist despite 2-minute half-life)
Dosages shown are for research reference only. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.
Administration
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Effects
Nerve Regeneration
Stimulates Schwann cell survival and small fiber nerve regeneration.
Tissue Protection
Activates innate repair receptor without erythropoietic effects of EPO.
Anti-Apoptotic
JAK2/STAT5 and PI3K/Akt survival signaling protects stressed cells.
Mechanism of Action
Ara-290 is an 11-amino-acid peptide designed to selectively activate the innate repair receptor (IRR), a heteromeric receptor complex composed of the erythropoietin receptor (EPOR) and the beta common receptor (CD131/βcR). This receptor is distinct from the classical homodimeric EPOR that mediates erythropoiesis, which is why Ara-290 can deliver tissue-protective effects without stimulating red blood cell production or the thrombotic risks associated with EPO.
The IRR is expressed on tissues subjected to metabolic stress, inflammation, or injury — including neurons, Schwann cells, cardiomyocytes, renal tubular cells, and endothelial cells. When Ara-290 activates the IRR, it triggers a cascade of protective signaling pathways: JAK2/STAT5 activation promotes anti-apoptotic gene expression (Bcl-2, Bcl-xL); PI3K/Akt signaling provides cell survival signals; NF-κB modulation shifts the inflammatory balance from pro-inflammatory to pro-resolution. The net effect is protection of viable cells from death, reduction of inflammation, and activation of repair processes.
Ara-290's most clinically advanced application is in peripheral neuropathy, particularly diabetic small fiber neuropathy. Schwann cells — the myelinating glial cells of the peripheral nervous system — express the IRR, and Ara-290 stimulates their survival and regenerative capacity. In clinical trials, subcutaneous Ara-290 administration improved corneal nerve fiber density (a measure of small fiber regeneration) and reduced neuropathic symptoms. Despite its extremely short plasma half-life (approximately 2 minutes), the tissue-protective effects persist for days because the cellular signaling cascades activated by IRR engagement have sustained downstream effects that outlast the peptide's presence in circulation.
Regulatory Status
Not FDA approved. Phase 2 clinical trials completed for diabetic neuropathy and sarcoidosis. Developed by Araim Pharmaceuticals.
Risks & Safety
Common
injection site reactions, mild headache.
Serious
still under investigation with limited long-term safety data.
Rare
allergic reactions.
Compare Ara-290 With
Research Papers
12Published: January 22, 2025
AI Summary
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) unfolds through a well-defined chronology-hyperacute excitotoxic and inflammasome bursts, acute apoptotic and blood-brain-barrier failure, and subacute neurovascular remodeling-that no single-pathway drug can adequately cover. Recombinant erythropoietin (EPO) limits secondary damage in animals, yet its erythropoietic drive and thrombotic liability have stalled clini...
Published: January 1, 2025
AI Summary
Polymorphism and mutations of human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) and calreticulin are risk factors for uveitis. Here, we sought to determine the therapeutic effects of Clarstatin, a cyclic peptide antagonist of the HLA shared-epitope-calreticulin interaction, in experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) models..
Published: September 9, 2024
AI Summary
Peripheral nerve injury seriously endangers human life and health, but there is no clinical drug for the treatment of peripheral nerve injury, so it is imperative to develop drugs to promote the repair of peripheral nerve injury. Erythropoietin (EPO) not only has the traditional role of promoting erythropoiesis, but also has a tissue-protective effect. Over the past few decades, researchers hav...
Published: March 24, 2024
AI Summary
To explore the neuroprotective effects of ARA290 and the role of β-common receptor (βCR) in a mouse model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)..
Published: January 17, 2022
AI Summary
Aging is associated with increased levels of reactive oxygen species and inflammation that disrupt proteostasis and mitochondrial function and leads to organism-wide frailty later in life. ARA290 (cibinetide), an 11-aa non-hematopoietic peptide sequence within the cardioprotective domain of erythropoietin, mediates tissue protection by reducing inflammation and fibrosis. Age-associated cardiac ...
Published: September 22, 2022
AI Summary
Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) can occur as a systemic complication of infections with Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli and is characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and acute kidney injury. Hitherto, therapy has been limited to organ-supportive strategies. Erythropoietin (EPO) stimulates erythropoiesis and is approved for the treatment of certain forms of anemia, but n...
Published: February 9, 2023
AI Summary
ARA 290, an 11-amino acid linear nonhematopoietic peptide derived from the three-dimensional structure of helix B of the erythropoietin (EPO), interacts selectively with the innate repair receptor (IRR) that arbitrates tissue protection. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of ARA290 against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. For this purpose, HEK-293 and ACHN cells we...
Published: November 5, 2021
AI Summary
Myocardial infarction caused by ischemia of heart tissue is the main reason for death worldwide; therefore, early detection can reduce mortality and treatment costs. Erythropoietin (EPO) has protection effects on ischemic tissue due to nonhematopoietic peptide (pHBSP; ARA-290) which is derived from the B-subunit of EPO..
Published: December 20, 2021
AI Summary
The two erythropoietin (EPO) receptor forms mediate different cellular responses to erythropoietin. While hematopoiesis is mediated via the homodimeric EPO receptor (EPOR), tissue protection is conferred via a heteromer composed of EPOR and CD131. In the skeletal system, EPO stimulates osteoclast precursors and induces bone loss.
Published: September 8, 2021
AI Summary
During intra-portal pancreatic islet transplantation (PITx), innate immune reactions such as the instant blood mediated inflammatory reaction (IBMIR) cause an immediate loss of islets. The non-hematopoietic erythropoietin analogue cibinetide has previously shown islet-protective effects in mouse PITx. Herein, we aimed to confirm cibinetide's efficacy on human islets, and to characterize its eff...
Published: January 30, 2022
AI Summary
Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology is characterized by amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition and tau hyper-phosphorylation, accompanied by a progressive cognitive decline. Monocytes have been recently shown to play a major role in modulating Aβ pathology, and thereby have been pointed as potential therapeutic targets. However, the main challenge remains in identifying clinically relevant interventions that...
Published: June 16, 2021
AI Summary
Abstract too short to summarize.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ara-290?
A peptide derived from EPO (the hormone that boosts red blood cells) but engineered to keep only the tissue-protective effects — it doesn't increase red blood cells at all. It activates the body's repair receptors to protect tissues and regenerate nerves. Particularly promising for nerve damage and tissue injury from poor blood flow. People use it for diabetic nerve damage and similar conditions.
What is Ara-290 used for?
A peptide derived from EPO (the hormone that boosts red blood cells) but engineered to keep only the tissue-protective effects — it doesn't increase red blood cells at all. It activates the body's repair receptors to protect tissues and regenerate nerves. Particularly promising for nerve damage and tissue injury from poor blood flow. People use it for diabetic nerve damage and similar conditions.
What is the dosage for Ara-290?
Clinical trials: 2-8 mg intravenous or subcutaneous. Despite the ultra-short half-life, the tissue-protective signaling cascades activated persist for hours to days after administration.
What are the side effects of Ara-290?
Common: injection site reactions, mild headache. Serious: still under investigation with limited long-term safety data. Rare: allergic reactions.
How does Ara-290 work?
Ara-290 is an 11-amino-acid peptide designed to selectively activate the innate repair receptor (IRR), a heteromeric receptor complex composed of the erythropoietin receptor (EPOR) and the beta common receptor (CD131/βcR). This receptor is distinct from the classical homodimeric EPOR that mediates erythropoiesis, which is why Ara-290 can deliver tissue-protective effects without stimulating red blood cell production or the thrombotic risks associated with EPO. The IRR is expressed on tissues subjected to metabolic stress, inflammation, or injury — including neurons, Schwann cells, cardiomyocytes, renal tubular cells, and endothelial cells. When Ara-290 activates the IRR, it triggers a cascade of protective signaling pathways: JAK2/STAT5 activation promotes anti-apoptotic gene expression (Bcl-2, Bcl-xL); PI3K/Akt signaling provides cell survival signals; NF-κB modulation shifts the inflammatory balance from pro-inflammatory to pro-resolution. The net effect is protection of viable cells from death, reduction of inflammation, and activation of repair processes. Ara-290's most clinically advanced application is in peripheral neuropathy, particularly diabetic small fiber neuropathy. Schwann cells — the myelinating glial cells of the peripheral nervous system — express the IRR, and Ara-290 stimulates their survival and regenerative capacity. In clinical trials, subcutaneous Ara-290 administration improved corneal nerve fiber density (a measure of small fiber regeneration) and reduced neuropathic symptoms. Despite its extremely short plasma half-life (approximately 2 minutes), the tissue-protective effects persist for days because the cellular signaling cascades activated by IRR engagement have sustained downstream effects that outlast the peptide's presence in circulation.
How is Ara-290 administered?
Ara-290 is administered via subcutaneous or intravenous injection.
What is the half-life of Ara-290?
The half-life of Ara-290 is 2 minutes (tissue-protective effects persist much longer).
Is Ara-290 legal?
Not FDA approved. Phase 2 clinical trials completed for diabetic neuropathy and sarcoidosis. Developed by Araim Pharmaceuticals.
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