Cross-Species LDTI Variants
Comparative LDTI gene family analysis across 4 medicinal leech species (H. nipponia, H. manillensis, W. pigra, H. tianjinensis) — Xiao 2025 documents H. nipponia as optimal therapeutic candidate.
Mechanistic Evidence Box
Preclinical / mechanistic- Page type
- Compound profile
- Evidence type
- Comparative LDTI gene family analysis across 4 medicinal leech species (H. nipponia, H. manillensis, W. pigra, H. tianjinensis) — Xiao 2025 documents H. nipponia as optimal therapeutic candidate.
- Evidence level
- In vitro
- Drug vs leech
- Recombinant (genetically expressed)
Clinical translation limit
Cross-species LDTI in vitro anticoagulation activity (via P. pastoris recombinant expression and chromogenic substrate assays) does NOT establish clinical efficacy. No FDA-approved derivative exists; none of the four species is the FDA-cleared K040187 medicinal leech.
Molecular Profile
- Category
- Proteinase Inhibitor
- Evidence tier
- Preclinical
- Molecular weight
- 5,500 Da
- Source species
- Hirudo nipponia, Hirudinaria manillensis, Whitmania pigra, Hirudo tianjinensis
- Discovered
- 2025 · Xiao M et al.
Biological Targets
- → tryptase / mast-cell-derived serine proteases (variable potency by species)
Key Citations
- Xiao M et al. (2025), Biology (Basel) · PMID 41007389
External Resources
Related Proteinase Inhibitor Compounds
Hirustasin
Serine proteinase inhibitor targeting tissue kallikrein — anti-inflammatory pathway.
Eglin C
Potent inhibitor of human leukocyte elastase and cathepsin G — anti-inflammatory protein widely used as research tool.
Bdellin B3
Kazal-type proteinase inhibitor targeting trypsin and plasmin — modulates inflammatory cascade.
LDTI (Leech-Derived Tryptase Inhibitor)
Selective inhibitor of human mast cell tryptase — anti-inflammatory pathway.