Midkine (MK or MDK), also referred to as NEGF2 (neurite growth-promoting factor 2), is a protein encoded by the human MDK gene. With low molecular weight, Midkine is a heparin-conjugated basic growth factor that constitutes a family with the pleiotrophin (NEGF1, which shares 46% homology with MDK). Being a nonglycosylated protein, it consists of two domains linked with disulfide bridges.
Midkines have multifaceted roles as they can affect processes such as cell proliferation, cell migration, angiogenesis, and fibrinolysis. Midkine receptors are thought to be molecular complexes containing receptor-type tyrosine phosphatase zeta (PTPζ), low-density lipoprotein receptor-associated protein (LRP1), anaplastic leukemia kinase (ALK), and syndecans.
Midkine as potential therapeutics for myocardial infarct
In rodent, rabbit, and porcine models of ischemic myocardial infarction, midkine has been shown to exert cardioprotective activity through antiapoptotic and potent angiogenic effects, thus resulting in the reduction of infarct size, decrease of left ventricular scarring, improvement of cardiac function and overall survival. Importantly, intracardiac injection of midkine proteins provided improvement in heart failure not only during cardiac ischemia and reperfusion injury, but also 14 days after infarction. According to these important findings, it is shown that midkine therapy may be beneficial for neonates when given at different times after birth.
Yaohai Bio-Pharma Offers One-Stop CDMO Solution for Midkine
Midkine Pipelines
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Generic Name
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Brand Name/
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Indications
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Manufacturer
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Latest stage
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CMK-103
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Recombinant Midkine
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Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) and Myocardial Ischemia (MI)
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Anagenics Ltd.
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Phase II
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GR008
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UA008, Recombinant Midkine
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Myocardial infarction, Knee arthritis
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Jiaochen Biological
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Pre-clinical
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