Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Ltd.

The Medical Research Fund at the Tel-aviv Sourasky Medical Center

Dan Grisaru

Hermona Soreq

Varda Deutsch

Marjorie Pick

Sofia Eldor, Legal Representative

Chava Perry

Varda Deutch

The present invention describes the use of an AChE-R-derived peptide, also known as ARP, as an inducer of hemopoietic cell differentiation and expansion, specifically for the granulocytic population. In addition, the use of ARP as an inducer of thrombopoietin and pro-inflammatory cytokines is also presented. ARP may further be used in the pre-transplant priming of hematopoietic stem cells. Other uses and methods utilizing ARP are also described herein.

Acetylcholinesterase (ACHE)-derived peptide as an inducer of granulocytopoiesis, uses and methods thereof

The invention relates to a cell growth and/or differentiation regulatory peptide comprising a sequence of about 9 to about 150 amino acids derived from acetylcholinesterase amino acid sequence, preferably from the C-terminal region of acetylcholinesterase. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the peptides, particularly for use in promoting survival of stem cells, promoting differentiation of stem cells, promoting growth of stem cells and/or promoting the growth-enhancing effect of a growth factor on stem cells, alone, or in combination with other growth factors. Of particular interest is the use of the peptides in the treatment of thrombocytopenia, post-irradiation conditions, post-chemotherapy conditions, or conditions following massive blood loss and promotion of neural progenitors in use for cell therapies aimed at restoring neural functions in diseased individuals. Further, the invention relates to antibodies against the peptides, inter alia for diagnostic use, for example, the diagnosis of stress-induced male infertility. The invention also relates to in vitro and in vivo methods for screening of drugs that affect the central nervous system, and are potential modulators of interactions between the 'readthrough' form of acteylcholinesterase, AChE-R, the intracellular receptor RACK1 and the kinase PKC.

Acetylcholinesterase-derived peptides and uses thereof

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Herzliya, Israel

Dan Grisaru