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Directed Peptide Signaling

Meaning

Directed peptide signaling refers to the highly specific, localized communication mediated by short chains of amino acids (peptides) between cells or closely related organ systems. Unlike classic systemic hormones, which are broadly distributed via the bloodstream, these peptides frequently act in an autocrine or paracrine manner, meaning they affect the cell that released them or neighboring cells, respectively. This precise, localized communication is fundamentally critical for fine-tuning rapid physiological processes, including immune cell activation, localized tissue repair, and the control of localized metabolic processes. Understanding this directed signaling is essential for developing targeted therapeutic and regenerative interventions.