Anti-inflammatory peptide amphiphilic-based (AIF-PAs) self- assembled structures for mucosal health

In the last few years self-assembled peptides have become a research hotspot in the biomedical field. Aiming to provide nanostructures with higher bioactivity and bioavailability in physiological conditions, we reported the synthesis of PAs (peptide amphiphiles) having a hydrophobic moiety covalently attached to this peptide sequence through a hydrophilic spacer of polyethylene glycol (PEG). Now, the design and synthesis of novel PAs bearing anti-inflammatory peptides (AIF-PAs) capable of self-assemble in aqueous solution thus rendering peptide nanostructures in which the bioactive peptide is present at a high density. We expect to improve peptide proteolytic stability, which is particularly important in mucosal tissues where significant concentrations of degradative enzymes are present. With these AIF-PAs and others that are currently being synthesized, the aim of this proposal is to obtain an accurate information on the dimensions of the nanostructures as well as the characterization of their self-organization. This information will allow understanding the structure function relationships of these molecules and formulations.