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Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Preparation of Mechanically Stable Self-Assembled Peptides Hydrogels
Published on: September 6, 2024
Reversible self-assembly: a key feature for a new class of autodelivering therapeutic peptides
Thelma A Pertinhez1, Stefania Conti, Elena Ferrari
1Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
Abstract:
Effective delivery is a critical issue in the use of conventional free drugs. Studies on the structure-function relationship of a therapeutic antibody-derived candidacidal decapeptide (killer peptide, KP) revealed its ability to spontaneously and reversibly self-assemble in an organized network of fibril-like structures. This process is catalyzed by 1,3-beta-glucans. While the self-assembled state may provide protection against proteases and the slow kinetic of dissociation assures a release of the active dimeric form over time, the beta-glucan affinity is responsible for targeted delivery. Thus, KP represents a novel paradigm of targeted autodelivering drugs.
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