Cell-penetrating peptides: Possible transduction mechanisms and therapeutic applications.
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), also known as protein transduction domains, are a class of diverse peptides with 5-30 amino acids. CPPs are divided into cationic, amphipathic and hydrophobic CPPs. They are able to carry small molecules, plasmid DNA, small interfering RNA, proteins, viruses, imaging agents and other various nanoparticles across the cellular membrane, resulting in internalization of the intact cargos. However, the mechanisms of CPP internalization remain to be elucidated. Recently, CPPs have received considerable attention due to their high transduction efficiency and low cytotoxicity. These peptides have a significant potential for diagnostic and therapeutic applications, such as delivery of fluorescent or radioactive compounds for imaging, delivery of peptides and proteins for therapeutic application, and delivery of molecules into induced pluripotent stem cells for directing differentiation. The present study reviews the classifications and transduction mechanisms of CPPs, as well as their potential applications.
The Liver Diseases Diagnosis and Treatment Center of PLA, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050082, P.R. China; Department of Gastroenterology, The First Hospital of Shijiazhuang City, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050011, P.R. China.
Zhengrong
Z
Guo
The Liver Diseases Diagnosis and Treatment Center of PLA, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050082, P.R. China; Hebei Medical University Graduate School, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050017, P.R. China.
Huanyan
H
Peng
The Liver Diseases Diagnosis and Treatment Center of PLA, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050082, P.R. China.
Jiwen
J
Kang
The Liver Diseases Diagnosis and Treatment Center of PLA, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050082, P.R. China.
Dianxing
D
Sun
cell-penetrating peptides; internalization; peptide therapeutic; protein transduction domain