BACKGROUND: Ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) is a common complication after 
kidney transplantation. Peptide GV1001 is a peptide vaccine representing a 
16-amino acid human telomerase reverse transcriptase sequence, which has been 
reported to possess potential antineoplastic and anti-inflammatory activity. 
This study aimed to investigate the potential effects of peptide GV1001 on renal 
IRI.
METHODS: Peptide GV1001 was subcutaneously administered to C57BL6/J mice 30 
minutes before and 12 hours after bilateral IRI. Sham operation and 
phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) injection were used as controls. Blood and renal 
tissues were harvested at 1 day after IRI.
RESULTS: Peptide GV1001 treatment significantly attenuated renal functional 
deterioration after IRI (peptide GV1001 group vs PBS group; blood urea nitrogen, 
P < .05; creatinine, P < .05). Peptide GV1001 treatment also attenuated renal 
tissue injury (tubular injury score; the peptide GV1001 group vs PBS group; P < 
.001). Renal apoptosis was also lower in the peptide GV1001 group. 
Immunohistochemical studies showed that IRI increased perirenal infiltration of 
both neutrophils and macrophages, and that peptide GV1001 significantly 
attenuated this process. Expression of interleukin-6 and monocyte chemotactic 
protein-1 was significantly reduced by peptide GV1001 treatment.
CONCLUSIONS: Peptide GV1001 ameliorates acute renal IRI by reducing inflammation 
and apoptosis; therefore, it is promising as a potential therapeutic agent for 
renal IRI. The mechanisms of protection should be explored in further studies.