Peptide5, also known as connexin43 mimetic peptide 5, was designed to bind to extracellular regions of the connexin43 (Cx43) protein, and is a blocker of Connexin43 hemichannels. Connexin43 hemichannels in spinal cord astrocytes are implicated in the maintenance of neuropathic pain following peripheral nerve injury and Peptide 5 can reduce swelling, astrogliosis, neuroinflammation and neuronal cell death following spinal cord injury. Peptide5 exhibits analgesic effects in models of neuropathic pain.
