A modulator peptide stabilize the eNOS protein similar to atorvastatin in atherosclerosis patients

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is a cardiovascular disease marked by chronic inflammation. The disease is intimately related to the accumulation of fatty acids in the tunica intima of medium and large caliber arteries. The development of the disease respond to alteration of the vascular and immune system homeostasis. The inflammatory process is aggravated by the action of immune cells. The diagnosis of the disease is invasive in most cases. Thus, new diagnostic and therapeutic techniques are required and could increase the quality of life of atherosclerotic patients. The eNOS gene has been indicated as an efficient biomarker of cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, stroke and myocardium infarction. The eNOS gene and the protein it encodes control the production of nitric oxide. This compound takes part in a large variety of biological functions and its action is crucial for the protection of arteries against damage. Here, an in-silico approach was used to design two small active peptides as a way to stabilize eNOS and guarantee its normal level of function regarding the production of nitric oxide. We hypothesize that the use of designed peptide would lead to an efficient therapy and with less or none side effect to atherosclerotic patients, as a substitution of statins therapy, such as atorvastatin. For future perspective, an assay of the modulating peptides is being designed to be tested in vitro and in vivo in order to be possibly used as a new therapeutic agent.