Suppression of GD1alpha ganglioside-mediated tumor metastasis by liposomalized WHW-peptide

GD1alpha ganglioside-replica peptides were recently isolated from a phage-displayed random pentadecapeptide library by assaying for inhibition of adhesion of RAW117-H10 lymphosarcoma cells to hepatic sinusoidal microvessel endothelial (HSE) cells. We show here that the Trp-His-Trp (WHW) peptide was identified as a minimal sequence of the GD1alpha-replica peptide WHWRHRIPLQLAAGR. The addition of WHW peptide-attached liposomes displayed efficient inhibition of liver metastasis of RAW117-H10 cells as well as of GD1alpha-mediated adhesion of RAW117-H10 cells to HSE cells in vitro. These results suggest that engineered liposomes for peptide delivery are applicable to treatment for metastasis.