A peptide derived from fish phosvitin promoted blood vessel growth and accelerated wound healing in mice, while also boosting key growth factors through multiple signaling pathways.
Dual antimicrobial + pro-angiogenicPt5-1c both fights infection and promotes blood vessel growth — addressing two key barriers to chronic wound healing with a single peptide agent
What the researchers found
The fish phosvitin-derived antimicrobial peptide Pt5-1c enhanced angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation) in both murine full-thickness wound models and zebrafish vascular defect models. In vitro, Pt5-1c promoted endothelial cell motility, adhesion, survival, filopodia protrusion, and tube formation. It upregulated proangiogenic growth factors VEGF, PDGF, FGF, and EGF. The signaling pathways involved were PI3K/AKT/mTOR, p38 MAPK, and HIF-1-VEGF axis.
Why it matters
Chronic wounds — diabetic ulcers, pressure sores, and non-healing surgical wounds — affect millions of people and often fail to heal due to inadequate blood vessel formation. Finding that an antimicrobial peptide can simultaneously fight infection AND promote new blood vessel growth addresses both key challenges in wound healing with a single agent.
The numbers in context
Wound healing improved in mouse full-thickness wounds · vascular defects rescued in zebrafish · VEGF, PDGF, FGF, EGF upregulated · PI3K/AKT/mTOR and p38 MAPK pathways activated
How the study worked
Combined in vitro and in vivo study. In vitro: human umbilical vein endothelial cells tested for motility, adhesion, survival, filopodia formation, and tube formation. Growth factor expression measured. In vivo: murine full-thickness wound healing model and zebrafish vascular defect model assessed angiogenic effects. Signaling pathway analysis identified PI3K/AKT/mTOR and p38 MAPK involvement.
Who was studied
Mouse full-thickness wound model, zebrafish vascular defect model, and human endothelial cells (in vitro/in vivo preclinical study)
What this study cannot tell us
Preclinical study using animal wound models that may not fully replicate human chronic wound biology. The specific peptide dose, treatment schedule, and wound closure rates are not detailed in the abstract. Long-term safety and potential immunogenicity of the fish-derived peptide in mammals were not assessed.
How to read the evidence
Preclinical study with in vitro mechanistic work and in vivo validation in two animal models (mouse and zebrafish). The multi-model approach and detailed pathway analysis strengthen the findings, but translation to human chronic wounds requires further study.
When this study was published
Published in 2025, this is a very recent study reflecting current interest in multifunctional peptide therapeutics for regenerative medicine.
The bigger picture
Antimicrobial peptides are primarily known for killing bacteria, but some have additional biological activities including wound healing and tissue regeneration. Pt5-1c joins a growing list of peptides that can address multiple aspects of chronic wound pathology simultaneously — infection control and tissue repair — which could simplify treatment and improve outcomes for difficult-to-heal wounds.
Questions still open
- Could Pt5-1c be developed into a topical wound dressing or gel for clinical use in chronic wounds?
- Does the peptide's antimicrobial activity remain effective when applied alongside its pro-angiogenic function?
- How does Pt5-1c compare to other pro-angiogenic peptides and growth factor therapies in wound healing efficacy?
Common questions
What is phosvitin and where does the peptide come from?
Why is growing new blood vessels important for wound healing?
Read the original research
Phosvitin-Derived Peptide Pt5-1c Is a Pro-Angiogenic Agent Capable of Enhancing Wound Healing.
Biomolecules, 16(1)
Citation
Xuan, Cuiling; Li, Mei; Zhang, Peng; Wang, Yunchao; Li, Hongyan; Gao, Zhiqin; Zhang, Shicui; Wu, Fei. (2025). Phosvitin-Derived Peptide Pt5-1c Is a Pro-Angiogenic Agent Capable of Enhancing Wound Healing.. Biomolecules, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/biom16010065