Antioxidant and cytoprotective effects of a wheat-derived non specific lipid transfer protein 2 (nsLTP2) on vascular endothelial cells

Numerous studies support the protective role of bioactive peptides against cardiovascular diseases. Cereals represent the primary source of carbohydrates, but they also contain substantial amounts of proteins, therefore representing a potential dietary source of bioactive peptides with nutraceutical activities. The analysis of wheat extracts purified by chromatographic techniques by means of HPLC-UV/nanoLC-nanoESI-QTOF allowed the identification of a signal of about 7 kDa which, following data base searches, was ascribed to a non-specific lipid-transfer protein (nsLTP) type 2 from Triticum aestivum (sequence coverage of 92%). For the first time nsLTP2 biological activities have been investigated. In particular, in experiments with HUVEC cells, nsLTP2 displayed antioxidant and cytoprotective activities, being able to significantly decrease ROS levels and to reduce LDH release, generated following oxidative (H2O2) and inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-1β and LPS) stimulation. The obtained promising results suggest potential protective role of nsLTP2 in vascular diseases prevention.