Cortistatin as a therapeutic target in inflammation

Cortistatin (CST) is a recently discovered neuropeptide from the somatostatin gene family, named after its predominantly cortical expression and ability to depress cortical activity. CST shows many remarkable structural and functional similarities to its related neuropeptide somatostatin, or somatotropin release-inhibiting factor. However, the many physiological differences between CST and somatostatin are just as remarkable as the similarities. CST-29 has recently been shown to prevent inflammation in rodent models for human diseases, raising novel therapeutic properties to this neuropeptide. In this review, the authors address a new possible role for CST in the immune system and evaluate the possible therapeutic use of CST to treat disorders associated with inflammation.