Controlled self-assembly of macrocyclic peptide into multifunctional photoluminescent nanoparticles.

Self-assembled peptide nanoparticles are unique stimuli responsive biodegradable materials with applications in biomedicines as delivery carriers and imaging agents. This study investigates the controlled self-assembly of chicken Angiogenin 4 derived immunomodulatory macrocyclic peptide (mCA4-5) in the presence of an inert amphipathic stabilizing peptide and as a function of pH, temperature and presence of ions to yield optically active, physiologically stable and biodegradable peptide nanoparticles. The photoluminescent peptide nanoparticles (PLPNs) produced were characterized for the size, surface charge, optical properties and crystallinity.