title: Immunosuppressive peptides and their therapeutic applications.
abstract: The immune system is vital for detecting and evading endogenous and exogenous threats to the body. Failure to regulate this homeostasis leads to autoimmunity, which is often associated with malfunctioning T cell signaling. Several medications are available to suppress over-reactive T lymphocytes, but many of the currently marketed drugs produce severe and life-threatening side-effects. Ribosomally synthesized peptides are gaining recognition from the pharmaceutical industry for their enhanced selectivity and decreased toxicity compared with small molecules; in particular, circular peptides exhibit remarkable stability and increased oral administration properties. For example, plant cyclotides effectively inhibit T lymphocyte proliferation. They are composed of a head-to-tail cyclized backbone and a cystine-knot motif, which confers them with remarkable stability, thus making them attractive pharmaceutical tools.
authors: Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Schwarzspanierstr. 17, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
authors: Kathrin
authors: K
authors: Thell
authors: Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Schwarzspanierstr. 17, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
authors: Roland
authors: R
authors: Hellinger
authors: Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Schwarzspanierstr. 17, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
authors: Gernot
authors: G
authors: Schabbauer
authors: Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Schwarzspanierstr. 17, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. Electronic address: christian.w.gruber@meduniwien.ac.at.
authors: Christian W
authors: CW
authors: Gruber
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D047169:Cyclotides / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010455:Peptides / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D047169:Cyclotides; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D010455:Peptides