*4.3. Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Peptides from Sea Urchins*

Centrocin 1, a peptide isolated from the green sea urchin *Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis* has shown potent anti-inflammatory activity. Centrocin 1 significantly reduced the expression of various inflammatory cytokines such as IL-12p40, IL-6, IL-1β, TNFα, and TLR 2 in *Propionibacterium acnes*-challenged monocytes [91], as well as in LPS-induced THP-1 monocytes [92]. Furthermore, Centrocin 1 attenuated proinflammatory cytokines IL-8, TNFα, and MMP-2 in the ear tissue of *Propionibacterium acnes*-induced ear swelling inflammation rat model [91]. The anti-inflammatory effect of centrocin 1 could be due to the downregulation of TLR2, which further triggers an innate immune response and the inhibition of proinflammatory cytokines [91]. Interestingly, vanadium binding protein, isolated from the blood of fresh sea urchin *Halocynthia roretzi*, reduced NO production and cytokines (COX-2, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNFα) secretion by inactivating the NF-kB and MAPK pathways in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages [93].
