ROCKVILLE, Md., Oct. 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTCQB: RGRX) ("RegeneRx" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage drug development company focused on tissue protection, repair and regeneration, today announced a new scientific publication in the most recent issue of the Journal of Neurochemistry describing how Thymosin beta 4 (TB4) reduces neurological injury following a stroke by up-regulating the expression of microRNA-200a (miR-200a).
The authors found that miR-200a, a very short and specific piece of RNA, is increased in the presence of TB4 in an in vitro stroke model, as well as when TB4 is administered systemically in a similar model. This increased miR-200a results in the down-regulation of a number of proteins that can negatively affect the repair of damaged tissue, in this case central nervous system tissue around the area damaged by the stroke.
The research team's previous data demonstrated that TB4 treatment induces myelin basic protein synthesis and oligodendrogenesis by up-regulation of p38 MAPK. Such signaling induces remyelination (creation of new myelin sheaths) of axons of injured neurons and increases migration of newly generated neuro progenitor cells (immature cells that differentiate into target cells). This current study further defines the mechanism of action TB4 in tissue protection and repair in the brain.
According to the authors of the paper, "Our findings of miR-200a-mediated protection of progenitor cells may provide a new therapeutic importance for the treatment of neurological injury."
The research was performed in the Departments of Neurology and Emergency Medicine at the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, MI and the Department of Physics at Oakland University in Rochester, MI and published in the Journal of Neurochemistry, 2015 Oct 14. doi: 10.1111/jnc.13394. [Epub ahead of print].
About RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.
RegeneRx is focused on the development of a novel therapeutic peptide, Thymosin beta 4, for tissue and organ protection, repair and regeneration. RegeneRx currently has three drug candidates in clinical development for ophthalmic, cardiac and dermal indications, three active strategic licensing agreements in China, Pan Asia (Korea, Japan, and Australia, among others) and the U.S., and has worldwide patents and patent applications covering its products. RGN-259, the Company's TB4-based ophthalmic drug candidate, has been designated an orphan drug for the treatment of neurotrophic keratopathy (NK). RegeneRx has Phase 3 clinical trials with RGN-259 for the treatment of patients with NK. The drug candidate is also being tested in patients with dry eye syndrome in the U.S. and Asia. RGN-352, the Company's TB4-based injectable formulation, is a Phase 2-ready drug candidate designed to be administered systemically to prevent and restore tissue damage associated with acute events such as heart attacks, strokes, and other similar traumatic injuries. For additional information about RegeneRx please visit www.regenerx.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
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SOURCE RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.