title: Therapeutic applications of the cell-penetrating HIV-1 Tat peptide.
abstract: Over the past decades, many new therapeutic approaches have been developed for several conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases. However, efficient biodistribution and delivery at biological target sites are hampered by the presence of cell and tissue barriers, and a clinical therapy is prevented by the requirement of invasive administration routes. Candidate drug conjugation to cell-penetrating peptides, which are able to cross cellular membranes and reach biological targets even when administered systemically, represents a promising tool to overcome this issue. Here, we review the biology, classification and mechanisms of internalization of cell-penetrating peptides. We focus our attention on the cell-penetrating peptide: HIV-derived Tat peptide, and discuss its efficient but controversial use in basic, preclinical and clinical research from its discovery to the present day.
authors.affiliation: Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, Neurology Unit, IRCCS Foundation Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Mafalda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rizzuti
authors.affiliation: Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, Neurology Unit, IRCCS Foundation Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy. Electronic address: monica.nizzardo1@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nizzardo
authors.affiliation: Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, Neurology Unit, IRCCS Foundation Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zanetta
authors.affiliation: Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, Neurology Unit, IRCCS Foundation Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Agnese
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ramirez
authors.affiliation: Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, Neurology Unit, IRCCS Foundation Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Corti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D057846:Cell-Penetrating Peptides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D009696:Nucleic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D054322:tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D057846:Cell-Penetrating Peptides; D009696:Nucleic Acids; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D054322:tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus