Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2026

Encapsulation Thermogenic Preadipocytes for Transplantation into Adipose Tissue Depots
Published on: June 2, 2015
In vivo Antibody Painting for Next Generation Weight Loss Drugs
Katsushi Kitahara1,2, Aurélie Rondon1, Edward Miller1
1Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA.
Abstract:
Peptide-based therapeutics are currently in great demand but often suffer from rapid clearance and accumulation in off-target tissues which continue to present barriers in their clinical translation. Here, we developed an electrophilic peptide for the attachment of therapeutics to native immunoglobulin (IgG) in vivo, enabling the bioorthogonal covalent linkage, or 'painting', of peptide drugs of choice to circulating IgGs directly in live animals. Native IgG painting with glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) results in sustained body weight loss and prolonged blood glucose management after one dose. Such technology might revolutionize the next generation of long-acting peptide-based medicines.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Drug Dosing: Obese Patients
Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution
Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion
Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets
Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists
GLP-1, when administered in high doses intravenously, triggers insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, reduces food intake, and restores normal insulin secretion. However, its rapid inactivation by the...

