Description
Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is an endogenous neuropeptide that exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-resorptive, anxiogenic, neuroprotective, and pro-angiogenic activities. In animal models of livery injury, CGRP displays protective benefit, decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. CGRP also stimulates proliferation of osteoblasts. In animals undergoing testing in an elevated plus maze, CGRP decrease time spent in open arms. This peptide inhibits retinal apoptosis in retinal cells in animal models of coronary artery occlusion. Additionally, CGRP increases expression of CD31, VEGF-A, FGF, and TGF-β1, increasing capillary density in vitro and in animal models of hind limb ischemia. CGRP binds RAMP1 and CGRP receptors.