Stimulation of collagen synthesis in fibroblast cultures by the tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+.

FEBS letters1988PMID: 3169264

Plain Language Summary

The foundational cell culture study demonstrating that GHK-Cu stimulates collagen synthesis by fibroblasts. Effects begin at femtomolar concentrations (10⁻¹² M) and peak at 1 nM—remarkably potent. Notes that the GHK sequence exists within collagen's alpha-2(I) chain, proposing that GHK is naturally released at wound sites by proteases to locally stimulate collagen repair.

Abstract

Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine (GHK) is a tripeptide with affinity for copper(II) ions and was isolated from human plasma. This peptide appears to play a physiological role in wound healing. We report the stimulating effect of GHK-Cu on collagen synthesis by fibroblasts. The stimulation began between 10(-12) and 10(-11) M, maximized at 10(-9) M, and was independent of any change in cell number. The presence of a GHK triplet in the alpha 2(I) chain of type I collagen suggests that the tripeptide might be liberated by proteases at the site of a wound and exert in situ healing effects.

Authors

Maquart, F X; Pickart, L; Laurent, M; Gillery, P; Monboisse, J C; Borel, J P