Synthesis, characterization, and preliminary assessment of anti-Flt1 peptide-hyaluronate conjugate for the treatment of corneal neovascularization

Biomaterials. 2009 Oct;30(30):6026-34. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2009.07.024. Epub 2009 Jul 31.

Abstract

Anti-Flt1 peptide of GNQWFI has been reported to inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1) - mediated endothelial cell migration and tube formation. In this work, a protocol to synthesize anti-Flt1 peptide-hyaluronate (HA) conjugate was successfully developed for the treatment of corneal neovascularization. Using tetrabutyl ammonium salt of HA (HA-TBA), water-insoluble anti-Flt1 peptide could be conjugated with HA in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) by the amide bond formation between carboxyl groups of HA and N-terminal amine groups of GGNQWFI. The formation of anti-Flt1 peptide-HA conjugate was confirmed by (1)H NMR and fluorometric analyses. The average number of grafted peptide molecules in anti-Flt1 peptide-HA conjugates could be controlled from 3 to 30 per single HA chain by changing the feeding amount of peptide for the conjugation reaction. According to in vitro biological activity tests, anti-Flt1 peptide-HA conjugate exhibited a significant inhibition effect on the binding of Flt1-Fc to VEGF(165) coated on the well. Furthermore, in vivo biological activity of anti-Flt1 peptide-HA conjugate was confirmed from the inhibitory effect on corneal neovascularization in silver nitrate cauterized corneas of SD rats. The VEGF receptor 2 expression was also reduced after treatment with anti-Flt1 peptide-HA conjugate. The water-soluble anti-Flt1 peptide-HA conjugate was thought to have a potential to be developed as anti-angiogenic therapeutics for the treatment of corneal neovascularization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry
  • Cell Movement
  • Corneal Neovascularization / metabolism*
  • Drug Design
  • Endothelial Cells / cytology
  • Fluorometry / methods
  • Humans
  • Hyaluronic Acid / chemistry*
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / chemistry
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / chemistry
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / immunology*

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Peptides
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
  • Hyaluronic Acid
  • FLT1 protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1