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Peptide Drug Targeting SASH1-PKM2 Interaction Promotes Brain Recovery After Traumatic Injury

RPEP-153292026Huang, Xinyuan; Kong, Roujia; Huang, Yichen; Hu, Xinzhi; Wang, Penghui; Wu, Ronghua; Liu, Yan; Liu, Mei; Yang, Liu
evidence
The takeaway

A peptide targeting the SASH1-PKM2 protein interaction promoted traumatic brain injury recovery by modulating astrocyte reactivity and reducing glial scar formation.

Scar-blocking peptide

A peptide targeting the SASH1-PKM2 interaction reduced the glial scar that prevents brain healing after TBI

What the researchers found

A peptide drug targeting SASH1-PKM2 interaction modulated astrocyte reactivity, reduced glial scar formation, and promoted neural recovery in traumatic brain injury models.

Why it matters

TBI affects millions annually with no effective treatments for the neural scarring that prevents recovery. A peptide targeting the scar-forming mechanism could change this.

How the study worked

Target identification (SASH1-PKM2 interaction), peptide drug design, in vitro astrocyte modulation, and in vivo TBI recovery model.

What this study cannot tell us

Preclinical only. Brain delivery of therapeutic peptides is challenging. Long-term functional outcomes not fully assessed.

How to read the evidence

Preclinical proof-of-concept with target identification and in vivo validation.

When this study was published

Published in 2025.

The bigger picture

Peptide-based PPI modulators can reach therapeutic targets that small molecules cannot, opening new approaches for CNS injury treatment.

Questions still open

  • How would the peptide be delivered across the BBB in humans?
  • Would this approach work for spinal cord injury scarring?
  • Can the SASH1-PKM2 interaction be targeted with small molecules?

Common questions

Why does the brain scar after injury?
Astrocytes (brain support cells) form a dense scar around the injury site. While protective initially, this scar prevents nerve regeneration. This peptide drug reduces scarring to allow healing.
How does the peptide work?
It disrupts a specific interaction between two proteins (SASH1 and PKM2) that controls how astrocytes become scar-forming cells, redirecting them toward a healing-supportive state.

Read the original research

A peptide drug targeting SASH1-PKM2 interaction promotes recovery of traumatic brain injury in mice.

Brain research, 1877-1878, 150206

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Huang, Xinyuan; Kong, Roujia; Huang, Yichen; Hu, Xinzhi; Wang, Penghui; Wu, Ronghua; Liu, Yan; Liu, Mei; Yang, Liu. (2026). A peptide drug targeting SASH1-PKM2 interaction promotes recovery of traumatic brain injury in mice.. Brain research, 1877-1878, 150206. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2026.150206