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HEIndividual fellowship2023–2025

NanoPep4IBD · Novel gut-stable peptides and drug-delivery systems - possible treatment for IBD

Horizon Europe — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2023-09-01 → 2025-08-31
EU contribution
€183,601
Participants
1
Scheme
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF

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Results in brief

Novel gut-stable peptides and drug-delivery systems - possible treatment for IBD

The project addressed the need for new treatments for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and gastrointestinal infections, two major global health problems with limited therapeutic options. Current treatments are often ineffective, cause significant side effects, or rely on antibiotics that contribute to the development of antimicrobial resistance. Many promising peptide-based and small-molecule drugs cannot be developed into oral medicines due to poor stability and/or solubility in the gastrointestinal tract. These challenges represent a significant barrier to the development of more effective and patient-friendly therapies. The overall aim of this project was to develop gut-stable peptides effective against biofilms, peptides suitable for wound-healing treatment, and to design innovative nanoparticle-based delivery systems that allow their safe and targeted administration. Three main objectives guided the work: (1) to design and synthesise stable antimicrobial and wound-healing peptides, (2) to develop mesoporous silica nanoparticle systems for oral delivery and sustained release, and (3) to evaluate the antimicrobial and antibiofilm functions of developed compounds and the in vitro release profile of the formulations. Beyond these research goals, the project contributed to the advancement of future peptide therapeutics and nanoformulations. Additionally, it offered extensive interdisciplinary training in peptide chemistry, nanotechnology, and drug formulation.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) affect more than 2 million residents in Europe. Currently, there is no cure for IBD, and treatment focuses on alleviating symptoms. Injured/compromised mucosal barrier and GI biofilms are common pathophysiological deviations in IBD. The overall aim of this project is to develop gut-stable peptides effective against biofilms, peptides suitable for wound-healing treatment, and nanocarrier systems for targeted delivery. In particular, I will focus on developing new antibiofilm peptides, based on the existent cathelicidins, and also develop GI wound-healing peptides based on the trefoil factor family (TFF). Cathelicidins and TFF peptides occur naturally in humans, and defects in these response systems can lead to GI diseases. Hence, in this project I aim to: (i) design, synthesize and characterise novel gut-stable antibiofilm and wound-healing peptides, and (ii) develop nanoparticle drug-delivery systems for their targeted application. Based on peptidomimetic synthesis, I will produce peptides containing unnatural amino acids, loop and helix mimetics, and also retroinverso analogues. Chitosan-coated liposomal and silica nanoparticles will be used for targeted colon treatment, as multifunctional systems: nanocarriers protect the peptides, chitosan enables mucoadhesive release, and chitosan has also beneficial anti-inflammatory, wound-healing and antimicrobial effects on its own. High regioselectivity and limited off-target effects can be achieved by using gut-stable peptides targeting local sites of inflammation, compromised gut epithelium and biofilms, since they are too large to cross the gut barrier. Orally administered peptide drugs targeting colonic tissues represent a highly innovative and safe route in treating GI disorders.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • UNIVERSITAT WIEN · WienCoordinatorAustria

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union