Tissue & Matrix Repair

ARA-290

ARA-290 is an 11-amino acid peptide fragment engineered from the helix-B region of erythropoietin (EPO), studied for its activity on the innate repair receptor (IRR) rather than the classic erythropoietin receptor. Vertex supplies it as a lyophilized reference standard for in-vitro innate immune, neuroprotective, and tissue-repair research.

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ARA-290 borrows a small piece of the EPO molecule's structure but drops the part responsible for making red blood cells. What's left is studied for a separate signaling role — calming inflammatory damage and supporting nerve tissue — without the blood-building effects EPO is best known for.

An 11-amino acid fragment derived from EPO's helix-B surface

Engages the innate repair receptor (IRR), a EPOR/CD131 heteroreceptor complex

Does not stimulate erythropoiesis the way full-length EPO does

Studied in small-fiber neuropathy and corneal nerve regeneration models

Supplied as a 10mg lyophilized reference vial

Mechanism

Scientific Mechanism

ARA-290 is designed around the helix-B surface loop of erythropoietin, a region that engages the innate repair receptor (IRR) — a heteromeric complex of the erythropoietin receptor and the beta-common receptor (CD131) — without activating the EPOR homodimer responsible for erythropoiesis. IRR engagement is studied for downstream anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory signaling, including modulation of NF-kB-driven cytokine release in stressed tissue. Because small unmyelinated nerve fibers express IRR components, research has focused heavily on neuropathic pain, corneal nerve density, and small-fiber neuropathy models.

Mechanism Detail

How It Works

ARA-290's research activity is built around a receptor complex distinct from erythropoietin's classic target:

irrActivation: Binds the innate repair receptor, a heterocomplex of EPOR and the beta-common receptor (CD131), rather than the EPOR homodimer that drives red blood cell production

cytoprotection: IRR engagement is studied for anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory signaling in stressed or injured tissue

neuroTropism: Research models describe effects on small unmyelinated nerve fibers, relevant to neuropathy and corneal nerve studies

Research Evidence

What the Research Shows

Immune Modulation

• Research on the innate repair receptor pathway describes reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine signaling in tissue injury models

• Studies report cytoprotective effects in models of ischemic and inflammatory tissue damage

• Human pharmacology studies (as cibinetide) have examined markers of systemic inflammation after IRR activation

Neuroprotection

• Small-fiber neuropathy research has reported improved corneal nerve fiber density with IRR-pathway activation

• Preclinical models describe reduced neuropathic pain behavior following peptide administration

• Studies in sarcoidosis-associated neuropathy have used ARA-290/cibinetide as a research tool to probe IRR-mediated nerve protection

Research Dosing

Dosing & Administration Reference

For laboratory and in-vitro/animal research use only. This is not guidance for human dosing.

Starting Dose

1-2mg daily has been referenced in early-phase human pharmacology research (as cibinetide)

Titration

Published protocols generally use fixed daily or alternate-day dosing rather than titration

Maintenance

1-4mg per dose across cited research windows

Study Duration

4-8 weeks in most cited neuropathy research protocols

Reconstitution Calculator

Peptide (mg)

BAC Water (mL)

Target Dose (mg)

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mg / mL

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insulin units (U-100)

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mL per dose

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doses per vial

Reconstitution math for research reference only. Not dosing guidance.

Reconstitution Reference

Diluent: Bacteriostatic water (0.9% benzyl alcohol)

Example Vial: 10mg reference vial

BAC Water: 2.0mL

Concentration: 5.0mg per 1mL

Storage & Handling

Stability Protocol

Lyophilized powder: store at -20C with desiccant, protected from light. Reconstituted solution: refrigerate at 2-8C, discard after 28-30 days or sooner if cloudiness or particulate appears.

References

Research Sources

Shop ARA-290 at Vertex Labs

Frequently Researched Alongside

Research Use Only: Intended for in-vitro laboratory research only. Not for human or animal consumption. This page provides educational and research-context information only — it does not constitute dosing, administration, or medical advice.