Emergent Peptides of the Antifibrotic Arsenal: Taking Aim at Myofibroblast Promoting Pathways

Myofibroblasts are the principal effector cells driving fibrosis, and their accumulation in tissues is a fundamental feature of fibrosis. Essential pathways have been identified as being central to promoting myofibroblast differentiation, revealing multiple targets for intervention. Compared with large proteins and antibodies, peptide-based therapies have transpired to serve as biocompatible and cost-effective solutions to exert biomimicry, agonistic, and antagonistic activities with a high degree of targeting specificity and selectivity. In this review, we summarize emergent antifibrotic peptides and their utilization for the targeted prevention of myofibroblasts. We then highlight recent studies on peptide inhibitors of upstream pathogenic processes that drive the formation of profibrotic cell phenotypes. We also briefly discuss peptides from non-mammalian origins that show promise as antifibrotic therapeutics. Finally, we discuss the future perspectives of peptide design and development in targeting myofibroblasts to mitigate fibrosis.

Automated summary

This review summarizes emergent antifibrotic peptides and their utilization for targeted prevention of myofibroblasts, highlighting recent studies on peptide inhibitors of upstream pathogenic processes driving the formation of profibrotic cell phenotypes. Peptides from non-mammalian origins that show promise as antifibrotic therapeutics are also briefly discussed. Future perspectives of peptide design and development in targeting myofibroblasts to mitigate fibrosis are also addressed.