ARA-290 (also known as cibinetide) is a synthetic peptide derived from the helix-B surface peptide domain of erythropoietin (EPO). Unlike full-length EPO, ARA-290 is utilized in laboratory research as a selective molecular probe for studying non-hematopoietic erythropoietin receptor signaling.

In experimental systems, ARA-290 is investigated for its interaction with the erythropoietin receptor–β common receptor heteromer (also referred to as the tissue-protective receptor, TPR). Research involving this peptide is limited to cellular assays and in-vivo animal models examining intracellular signaling, inflammatory pathway modulation, and cellular stress responses.

Sequence: ZEQLERALNSS
Molecular Formula: C₅₁H₈₄N₁₆O₂₁
Molecular Weight: 1257.3 g/mol
PubChem CID: 91810664
CAS No: 1208243-50-8
Synonyms: cibinetide, PH-BSP

Source: PubChem

ARA-290 is applied in laboratory research to examine signaling pathways associated with cellular stress tolerance, immune-cell cytokine regulation, endothelial progenitor cell dynamics, and receptor-mediated intracellular signaling.

Common experimental contexts include endothelial cell culture assays, macrophage activation models, immune-cell signaling studies, and in-vivo rodent models assessing molecular and histological endpoints related to inflammation and tissue homeostasis.

ARA-290 selectively engages the erythropoietin receptor–β common receptor heterocomplex rather than the classical homodimeric erythropoietin receptor responsible for erythropoiesis. Activation of this receptor complex initiates intracellular signaling cascades involving JAK2, PI3K/Akt, and NF-κB-associated pathways.

Experimental data indicate modulation of macrophage cytokine secretion, attenuation of pro-inflammatory transcriptional programs, and regulation of apoptotic signaling under cellular stress conditions. These effects are evaluated using transcriptional profiling, cytokine quantification assays, and pathway-level biochemical measurements.

Additional mechanistic investigations explore interactions between ARA-290 signaling and ion channel activity, including TRPV1 modulation, within preclinical cellular and animal systems.

In animal models, ARA-290 has been studied for its influence on endothelial progenitor cell proliferation, migration, and homing behavior, as well as its effects on macrophage-mediated inflammatory signaling.

Additional preclinical investigations evaluate ARA-290 in models of experimental colitis, immune-mediated tissue injury, and metabolic stress, with outcomes measured via histological analysis, immune-cell profiling, cytokine expression, and receptor-specific signaling readouts.

Neural studies focus on small-fiber nerve integrity, receptor-mediated modulation of nociceptive signaling pathways, and cellular stress resilience, assessed exclusively through laboratory and animal research methodologies.

ARA-290 is supplied as a synthetic research peptide. Identity and purity are confirmed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry (MS).

This material is provided strictly for laboratory research use and is not formulated for diagnostic, medical, or veterinary applications.

The above literature was researched, edited and organized by Dr. E. Logan, M.D. Dr. E. Logan holds a doctorate degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and a B.S. in molecular biology.

Dr. Michael Brines received a BS with highest honors in physics and biology from the University of Notre Dame and a PhD in neurobiology and behavior from The Rockefeller University. Subsequently, he earned his MD from Yale University and completed a residency in Internal Medicine at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Following residency, he completed fellowship training in Clinical Investigation, as well as Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism at Yale. Michael Brines is board certified in Internal Medicine as well as in Endocrinology, Diabetes, & Metabolism. Michael Brines has been the inventor or co-inventor on numerous US patents and foreign counterparts, and has authored or coauthored more than 100 scientific publications.

Michael Brines, M.D. is being referenced as one of the leading scientists involved in the research and development of ARA-290. In no way is this doctor/scientist endorsing or advocating the purchase, sale, or use of this product for any reason. There is no affiliation or relationship, implied or otherwise, between Peptide Sciences and this doctor. The purpose of citing the doctor is to acknowledge, recognize, and credit the exhaustive research and development efforts conducted by the scientists studying this peptide. Dr. Michael Brines is listed in [9] under the referenced citations.

1. M. S. Hosseini-Zare, S. Dashti-Khavidaki, M. Mahdavi-Mazdeh, F. Ahmadi, and S. Akrami, “Peripheral neuropathy response to erythropoietin in type 2 diabetic patients with mild to moderate renal failure,” Clin. Neurol. Neurosurg., vol. 114, no. 6, pp. 663–667, Jul. 2012, doi: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2012.01.007.
2. O. E. O’Leary et al., “The vasoreparative potential of endothelial colony-forming cells in the ischemic retina is enhanced by cibinetide, a non-hematopoietic erythropoietin mimetic,” Exp. Eye Res., vol. 182, pp. 144–155, 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.exer.2019.03.001.
3. G. Hache et al., “ARA290, a Specific Agonist of Erythropoietin/CD131 Heteroreceptor, Improves Circulating Endothelial Progenitors’ Angiogenic Potential and Homing Ability,” Shock Augusta Ga, vol. 46, no. 4, pp. 390–397, 2016, doi: 10.1097/SHK.0000000000000606.
4. M. Watanabe et al., “A Nonhematopoietic Erythropoietin Analogue, ARA 290, Inhibits Macrophage Activation and Prevents Damage to Transplanted Islets,” Transplantation, vol. 100, no. 3, pp. 554–562, Mar. 2016, doi: 10.1097/TP.0000000000001026.
5. B. Peng, G. Kong, C. Yang, and Y. Ming, “Erythropoietin and its derivatives: from tissue protection to immune regulation,” Cell Death Dis., vol. 11, no. 2, p. 79, Feb. 2020, doi: 10.1038/s41419-020-2276-8.
6. L. Yan et al., “EPO Derivative ARA290 Attenuates Early Renal Allograft Injury in Rats by Targeting NF-κB Pathway,” Transplant. Proc., vol. 50, no. 5, pp. 1575–1582, 2018, doi: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2018.03.015.
7. M. Nairz et al., “Cibinetide dampens innate immune cell functions thus ameliorating the course of experimental colitis,” Sci. Rep., vol. 7, no. 1, p. 13012, 12 2017, doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-13046-3.
8. B. Huang et al., “Non-erythropoietic erythropoietin-derived peptide protects mice from systemic lupus erythematosus,” J. Cell. Mol. Med., vol. 22, no. 7, pp. 3330–3339, 2018, doi: 10.1111/jcmm.13608.
9. M. Brines et al., “ARA 290, a nonerythropoietic peptide engineered from erythropoietin, improves metabolic control and neuropathic symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes,” Mol. Med. Camb. Mass, vol. 20, pp. 658–666, Mar. 2015, doi: 10.2119/molmed.2014.00215.
10. D. A. Culver et al., “Cibinetide Improves Corneal Nerve Fiber Abundance in Patients With Sarcoidosis-Associated Small Nerve Fiber Loss and Neuropathic Pain,” Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., vol. 58, no. 6, pp. BIO52–BIO60, 01 2017, doi: 10.1167/iovs.16-21291.
11. M. van Velzen et al., “ARA 290 for treatment of small fiber neuropathy in sarcoidosis,” Expert Opin. Investig. Drugs, vol. 23, no. 4, pp. 541–550, Apr. 2014, doi: 10.1517/13543784.2014.892072.
12. A. Bitto et al., “Activation of the EPOR-β common receptor complex by cibinetide ameliorates impaired wound healing in mice with genetic diabetes,” Biochim. Biophys. Acta BBA – Mol. Basis Dis., vol. 1864, no. 2, pp. 632–639, Feb. 2018, doi: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2017.12.006.

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The products offered on this website are furnished for in-vitro studies only. In-vitro studies (Latin: in glass) are performed outside of the body.  These products are not medicines or drugs and have not been approved by the FDA to prevent, treat or cure any medical condition, ailment or disease.  Bodily introduction of any kind into humans or animals is strictly forbidden by law.

For Laboratory Research Only. Not for human use, medical use, diagnostic use, or veterinary use.