Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a glycoprotein hormone produced by the placental trophoblast shortly after conception. It consists of two subunits, α and β, with the β-subunit conferring biological specificity. Beyond its well-established role in maintaining early pregnancy, hCG and its derived oligopeptides have become valuable tools for investigating immune modulation, inflammation, and tissue regeneration.

Key Research Applications:

• Reproductive Endocrinology: hCG serves as a critical marker for early pregnancy detection and is studied in the context of fertility regulation and pregnancy maintenance .
• Immune Modulation & Inflammation: Synthetic oligopeptides derived from hCG (e.g., EA-230, AQGV, LQGV) have demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory effects, suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6 while activating anti-inflammatory pathways . These peptides show promise in models of septic shock, acute lung injury, and ischemia-reperfusion injury.
• Autoimmune & Inflammatory Disease Research: hCG-related peptides have been investigated for their ability to mitigate rheumatoid arthritis, colitis, and other immune-mediated conditions through modulation of macrophage polarization and T-cell differentiation .
• Cancer & Cell Proliferation Studies: Research suggests hCG-derived oligopeptides may inhibit tumorigenesis and influence cell division pathways, offering potential applications in oncology research .
• Vaccine Development: Synthetic hCG β-subunit peptides have been explored as immunogens for developing contraceptive vaccines targeting hCG .

Quality & Handling: