ARA-290

What Is ARA-290?

ARA-290 is an 11-amino-acid synthetic peptide corresponding to the helix B surface region of erythropoietin (EPO). It selectively activates the tissue-protective EPO receptor complex (EPOR/βcR — also called the innate repair receptor) without binding the classic erythropoietic receptor — avoiding hematopoietic side effects of full EPO.

Key Mechanisms

• EPOR/βcR (innate repair receptor) activation — anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, tissue-protective signalling
• Small fibre nerve regeneration — promotes intraepidermal nerve fibre density recovery in neuropathy models
• IL-10 induction — upregulates anti-inflammatory interleukin-10; reduces TNF-α, IL-6
• Macrophage M2 polarisation — shifts from pro-inflammatory to tissue-repair macrophage phenotype

Key References

1. Brines M et al. “ARA 290, a nonerythropoietic peptide engineered from the EPO helix B surface.” Mol Med, 2008;14:801–815.
2. Dahan A et al. “Efficacy of ARA 290 in neuropathic pain in sarcoidosis.” Pain, 2013;154(11):2219–2225.