macrophage-activating lipopeptide-2

**Macrophage-activating lipopeptide-2 (MALP-2)** is a synthetic Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2/6 agonist derived from Mycoplasma fermentans, consisting of a 13-residue peptide (GNNDESNISFKEK) attached to a lipid moiety with two palmitate chains. It bidirectionally modulates monocyte/macrophage inflammatory responses by inducing pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β) via MAPK, NF-κB, and AP-1 pathways while also upregulating anti-inflammatory heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) through PI3K, Btk, Mal, and Nrf2 activation. MALP-2 enhances neutrophil phagocytosis and oxidative burst, boosts dendritic cell antigen presentation and T-cell stimulation, indirectly augments NK cell cytotoxicity, and promotes wound healing, vascular regeneration, and anti-tumor effects; it has been tested in phase I/II trials for pancreatic cancer (intratumoral) and cutaneous wound healing with good tolerability up to 20 μg doses.[1][2][3][7][10]