Systematic Review of Peptide CAQK: Properties, Applications, and Outcomes

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biomedical Engineering
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Central nervous system (CNS) disorders often lack effective treatments.
• Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) are prevalent in the CNS extracellular matrix.
• Peptide CAQK has demonstrated binding affinity to CSPGs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the properties, applications, and outcomes of using peptide CAQK.
• To assess CAQK's efficacy as a homing molecule for therapeutic delivery in CNS disorders.
• To consolidate existing research on CAQK conjugation strategies.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted following PRISMA guidelines.
• Studies involving CAQK in animal or human models for CNS disorders were selected.
• Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria, predominantly using mice and rats.

Main Results:

• CAQK was primarily used to deliver therapeutic agents, mainly in brain and spinal cord injury models.
• Intravenous administration of CAQK was common, facilitating targeted localization to CNS tissues.
• All reviewed studies reported benefits associated with CAQK conjugation.

Conclusions:

• CAQK conjugation is a promising strategy for targeted therapeutic delivery in CNS disorders with upregulated CSPGs.
• Further research is needed to evaluate CAQK alone and standardize methodologies.
• The heterogeneity of current studies limits direct comparisons but supports CAQK's potential.