The topic of this article will revolve around MGF peptide and its potential future in research.
Mechano-Growth Factor and Inflammation
Researchers speculate that inflammatory cells and their signaling chemicals may facilitate muscle cell renewal. Macrophages are reported to be the predominant makers of MGF in the context of muscle cell inflammation, suggesting they may play a pivotal role in this process. In addition to its anti-inflammatory properties, IGF-1Ea (MGF) has been speculated to increase the lifespan of macrophages. Although the mechanism by which MGF may improve muscle cell repair has not yet been determined, it is thought to involve macrophages [i].
MGF Peptide and Muscle
Mechano growth factor (MGF) has been speculated to stimulate muscle stem cells (satellite cells) and promote muscle hypertrophy and repair. Studies suggest that MGF appears to cause a 25% increase in mean muscle fiber size in mice after only three weeks. The peptide has been studied for its potential to enhance physical capacity, and researchers have hypothesized that it may also be useful in mitigating the impact of muscle-wasting occurrences [ii]. Although the latter may sound counterintuitive, coming from serious academics, it highlights the significance of muscle mass in determining basal metabolic rate. It has been suggested for a long time that increasing muscle mass may raise metabolic rates, making it easier to reduce weight in test models.
Myogenic precursor cell transplantation has been suggested to increase dystrophin expression and mitigate the impact of specific situations in the context of muscle wasting. Transplantation has never been of great utility due to the reported poor success rates. Recent studies in mice models suggest MGF may improve transplant outcomes by increasing the survival of myogenic precursor cells [iii].
MGF Peptide and Cartilage
Injuries, excessive usage of a joint (osteoarthritis), and inflammatory diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis) are all potential causes of cartilage breakdown. Several factors, such as a lack of stem cells and an insufficient blood supply, may negatively contribute to cartilage’s healing ability. While cartilage regeneration has its limits, MGF research suggests that the peptide may be able to aid with these issues.
MGF seems to aid the survival of chondrocytes, the cells most responsible for maintaining and repairing cartilage in response to mechanical stimulation. In other words, when the cartilage is subjected to physical stress, MGF may increase the survival of cells that defend against the stress and restore whatever damage it may cause. The YAP signaling pathway, which encourages chondrocyte migration into cartilage, may mediate these effects [iv].
Researchers speculate that aside from its properties after cartilage damage, MGF may also be linked to serving as a preventative measure against future harm or incapacity. Overloading chondrocytes leads them to undergo apoptosis (programmed cell death), one of the major causes of disc degeneration in the spine. Studies in rats suggest that MGF may help prevent disc degeneration by blocking cell apoptosis [v].
MGF Peptide and Brain Development
As early as 2010, studies suggested MGF’s existence in mice’s developing brains. Studies in animal models later speculated that MGF might be overexpressed in brain areas where neuron regeneration occurs and is expressed at high levels in brain hypoxia. A mouse model of ALS research explored the peptide’s potential neuroprotective properties. Studies suggest that overall, MGF may decrease the gradual muscular weakening observed in ALS and delay the death of motor neurons, the fundamental cause [vi]. Researchers hypothesize the brain may show signs of regeneration after global ischemia, and MGF has been suggested to preserve neurons in this context far better than any other IGF-1 isoform [vii].
MGF Peptide and Heart Cells
Studies in lambs with artificially induced heart attacks suggest that MGF may protect heart muscle against ischemia. Researchers speculate MGF may have significantly improved cardiac function after a heart attack, with a 35% decrease in cardiomyocyte compromise [viii].
The Future of MGF Research
MGF is the subject of several studies. Researchers speculate the peptide may currently display the potential to preserve various forms of muscle tissue from various assaults. This makes MGF a potential target for research, and the peptide may provide the foundation for many innovative studies in the coming decade. Furthermore, new facets of MGF are always being unearthed. Since the peptide has been speculated to have neuroprotective and cartilage-promoting properties, there is a broad range of potential research applications for ongoing and future studies.
This peptide is still in research phases, and continues to be investigated for its potential action and impact in laboratory settings. MGF peptides are available at Core Peptides for use in academic and scientific research. The compounds mentioned here are not approved for human or animal consumption and are available strictly for purchase by licensed professionals for in-vitro laboratory use. The content here is intended for educational and informational purposes only.
References
[i] K.-T. Sun, K.-K. Cheung, S. W. N. Au, S. S. Yeung, and E. W. Yeung, “Overexpression of Mechano-Growth Factor Modulates Inflammatory Cytokine Expression and Macrophage Resolution in Skeletal Muscle Injury,” Front. Physiol., vol. 9, 2018.
[ii] G. Goldspink, “Research on mechano growth factor: its potential for optimising physical training as well as misuse in doping,” Br. J. Sports Med., vol. 39, no. 11, pp. 787–788, Nov. 2005.
[iii] P. Mills, J. C. Dominique, J. F. Lafrenière, M. Bouchentouf, and J. P. Tremblay, “A Synthetic Mechano Growth Factor E Peptide Enhances Myogenic Precursor Cell Transplantation Success,” Am. J. Transplant., vol. 7, no. 10, pp. 2247–2259, 2007.
[iv] X. Jing et al., “Mechano-growth factor protects against mechanical overload induced damage and promotes migration of growth plate chondrocytes through RhoA/YAP pathway,” Exp. Cell Res., vol. 366, no. 2, pp. 81–91, May 2018.
[v] Q. Xu, H. Fang, L. Zhao, C. Zhang, L. Zhang, and B. Tian, “Mechano growth factor attenuates mechanical overload-induced nucleus pulposus cell apoptosis through inhibiting the p38 MAPK pathway,” Biosci. Rep., vol. 39, no. 3, Mar. 2019.
[vi] J. Dluzniewska et al., “A strong neuroprotective effect of the autonomous C-terminal peptide of IGF-1 Ec (MGF) in brain ischemia,” FASEB J. Off. Publ. Fed. Am. Soc. Exp. Biol., vol. 19, no. 13, pp. 1896–1898, Nov. 2005.
[vii] B. Zablocka, P. H. Goldspink, G. Goldspink, and D. C. Gorecki, “Mechano-Growth Factor: an important cog or a loose screw in the repair machinery?,” Front. Endocrinol., vol. 3, 2012.
[viii] V. Carpenter et al., “Mechano-Growth Factor Reduces Loss of Cardiac Function in Acute Myocardial Infarction,” Heart Lung Circ., vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 33–39, Feb. 2008.
