A peptide-based material platform for displaying antibodies to engage T cells

Ying Zheng, Yi Wen, Amanda M. George, Alison M. Steinbach, Brett E. Phillips, Nick Giannoukakis, Ellen S. Gawalt, Wilson S. Meng

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This study investigated a strategy by which antibodies are displayed to engage T cells. A peptide composite containing binding sites was characterized in vitro and explored as an injectable system in vivo. The composite consists of two amphiphilic peptides, AEAEAKAKAEAEAKAK (referred to as "EAK" ) and EAK appended with six consecutive histidines at the C-terminus (" EAKH6" ). Spectroscopic analysis showed the two peptides integrated into a single structure. Prior to combination, conformational analysis revealed that EAKH6 adopts a mixed α-helix/β-strand conformation. In the presence of EAK, EAKH6 exists predominately in β-strand conformation. The composite of EAK-EAKH6 was found to display His-tags, using nickel-bound horseradish peroxidase as a probe. T cell-specific antibodies were found stably displayed on the EAK-EAKH6 assembly using recombinant protein A/G and anti-histidines antibody as an adaptor. When mounted with anti-CD4 antibody, the system was shown to capture CD4. T cells in a mixed population of lymphocytes. Antibodies were concentrated in the subcutaneous space in mice when co-administered with EAK and EAKH6 along with protein A/G and anti-histidines antibody as a solution. We report here the use of amphiphilic peptides to display Ab in vivo, the results indicating that the design can be used as a platform for engaging specific subsets of leukocytes for the purpose of immune modulation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)249-257
Number of pages9
JournalBiomaterials
Volume32
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2011

Keywords

  • Amphiphilic peptides
  • Clustered antibodies
  • Self-assembly material
  • T cells

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics
  • Bioengineering
  • Ceramics and Composites
  • Biomaterials
  • Mechanics of Materials

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A peptide-based material platform for displaying antibodies to engage T cells'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this