Protective peptides derived from novel glial proteins.

In studying the mediators of VIP neurotrophism in the central nervous system, two glial proteins have been discovered. Both of these proteins contain short peptides that exhibit femtomolar potency in preventing neuronal cell death from a wide variety of neurotoxic substances. Extension of these peptides to models of oxidative stress or neurodegeneration in vivo have indicated significant efficacy in protection. These peptides, both as individual agents and in combination, have promise as possible protective agents in the treatment of human neurodegenerative disease and in pathologies involving oxidative stress.