Synthesis and Biological Properties of Polyphenol-Containing Linear and Dendrimeric Cationic Peptides.

Natural polyphenols are promising compounds for the pharmacological control of oxidative stress in various diseases. However, low bioavailability and rapid metabolism of polyphenols in a form of glycosides or aglycones have stimulated the search for the vehicles that would provide their efficient delivery to the systemic circulation. Conjugation of polyphenols with cationic amphiphilic peptides yields compounds with a strong antioxidant activity and ability to pass through biological barriers.

Recombinant PreS-fusion protein vaccine for birch pollen and apple allergy.

Background: IgE cross-sensitization to major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 and pathogenesis-related (PR10) plant food allergens is responsible for the pollen-food allergy syndrome.

Methods: We designed a recombinant protein, AB-PreS, consisting of non-allergenic peptides derived from the IgE-binding sites of Bet v 1 and the cross-reactive apple allergen, Mal d 1, fused to the PreS domain of HBV surface protein as immunological carrier. AB-PreS was expressed in E.

Natural human Bet v 1-specific IgG antibodies recognize non-conformational epitopes whereas IgE reacts with conformational epitopes.

Background: The nature of epitopes on Bet v 1 recognized by natural IgG antibodies of birch pollen allergic patients and birch pollen-exposed but non-sensitized subjects has not been studied in detail.

Objective: To investigate IgE and IgG recognition of Bet v 1 and to study the effects of natural Bet v 1-specific IgG antibodies on IgE recognition of Bet v 1 and Bet v 1-induced basophil activation.

Methods: Sera from birch pollen allergic patients (BPA, n = 76), allergic patients without birch pollen allergy (NBPA, n = 40) and non-allergic individuals (NA, n = 48) were tested for IgE, IgG as well as IgG and IgG reactivity to folded recombinant Bet v 1, two unfolded recombinant Bet v 1 fragments comprising the N-terminal (F1) and C-terminal half of Bet v 1 (F2) and unfolded peptides spanning the corresponding sequences of Bet v 1 and the apple allergen Mal d 1 by ELISA or micro-array analysis.

Treatment of COVID-19 patients with a SARS-CoV-2-specific siRNA-peptide dendrimer formulation.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus (SARS-CoV-2) infection frequently causes severe and prolonged disease but only few specific treatments are available. We aimed to investigate safety and efficacy of a SARS-CoV-2-specific siRNA-peptide dendrimer formulation MIR 19® (siR-7-EM/KK-46) targeting a conserved sequence in known SARS-CoV-2 variants for treatment of COVID-19.

Methods: We conducted an open-label, randomized, controlled multicenter phase II trial (NCT05184127) evaluating safety and efficacy of inhaled siR-7-EM/KK-46 (3.

Silencing of SARS-CoV-2 with modified siRNA-peptide dendrimer formulation.

Background: First vaccines for prevention of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are becoming available but there is a huge and unmet need for specific forms of treatment. In this study we aimed to evaluate the anti-SARS-CoV-2 effect of siRNA both in vitro and in vivo.

Methods: To identify the most effective molecule out of a panel of 15 in silico designed siRNAs, an in vitro screening system based on vectors expressing SARS-CoV-2 genes fused with the firefly luciferase reporter gene and SARS-CoV-2-infected cells was used.

Linear and dendrimeric antiviral peptides: design, chemical synthesis and activity against human respiratory syncytial virus.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the most common viral pathogens. It is especially dangerous for newborns and young children. In some cases it could lead to severe bronchiolitis, pneumonia with hospitalization or even a lethal outcome.

A novel peptide dendrimer LTP efficiently facilitates transfection of mammalian cells.

One of the urgent problems of gene therapy is the search for effective transfection methods. Synthetic cationic peptides (CPs) are considered to be one of the most promising approaches for intracellular transport of oligonucleotides. Almost unlimited possibilities of the architectural design of CPs (linear and cyclic structures with a variation of chirality as well as dendrimers) make CPs an effective tunable carrier in this field.