"Peptides LL-37 (LLGDFFRKSKEKIGKEFKRIVQRIKDFLRNLVPRTES), a scrambled LL-37, sLL-37 (RSLEGTDRFPFVRLKNSRKLEFKDIKGIKREQFVKIL) and IG-19 (IGKEFKRIVQRIKDFLRNL-NH2) were obtained from CPC Scientific (Sunnyvale, CA). The peptides were re-suspended in endotoxin-free water and stored at −20° until needed."
Abstract
Human cathelicidin LL-37 protects against infections and endotoxin-induced inflammation. In a recent study we have shown that IG-19, an LL-37-derived peptide, protects in a murine model of arthritis. Cytokine interleukin-32 (IL-32) is elevated and directly associated with the disease severity of inflammatory arthritis. Therefore, in this study we examined the effects of LL-37 and IG-19 on IL-32-induced responses in human peripheral blood-derived mononuclear cells (PBMC) and macrophages. We showed that CD14+ monocytes are the primary cells that produce pro-inflammatory tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) following stimulation of PBMC with IL-32. We demonstrated that LL-37 and IG-19 significantly suppress IL-32-induced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, e.g. TNF-α and IL-1β, without altering chemokine production. In contrast, LL-37 and IG-19 enhance the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-1RA. Further mechanistic studies revealed that LL-37 and IG-19 suppress IL-32-mediated phosphorylation of Fyn (Y420) Src kinase. In contrast, IL-32-mediated phosphorylation of AKT-1 (T308) and MKP-1 (S359) is not suppressed by the peptides. LL-37 and IG-19 alone induce the phosphorylation of MKP-1 (S359), which is a known negative regulator of inflammation. Furthermore, the peptides induce the activity of p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase, which is known to phosphorylate MKP-1 (S359). This is the first study to demonstrate the regulation of IL-32-induced inflammation by LL-37 and its derivative peptide IG-19. The mechanistic results from this study suggest that regulation of immune-mediated inflammation by these peptides may be controlled by the dual phosphatase MKP-1. We speculate that LL-37 and its derivatives may contribute to the control of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.
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CPC Scientific at DCAT 2025!
GMP Peptide Manufacturing
What an amazing time we had at DCAT 2025! It was fantastic to meet with colleagues, clients, and friends, and showcase CPC Scientific’s cutting-edge capabilities in synthetic API development and commercial production.
A heartfelt […]
We are excited to share that CPC Scientific Inc. has officially received the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Certificate in accordance with the ISO 22716:2007(E) Cosmetic Guidelines.
This certification highlights our unwavering commitment to delivering the highest quality peptide ingredients for cosmetic use, guaranteeing:
- Superior Quality Control – Striving for excellence in safety, consistency, and purity.
[…]
In Part 1 of our Minimal Protection Group Strategies for SPPS, we discussed methods for eliminating sidechain protection on hydroxy-bearing amino acids such as serine, threonine, tyrosine, and hydroxyproline. By omitting t-butyl protection, we enhanced atom economy and avoided the use of hazardous solvents typically required to remove these protection groups. In Part 2, we present a new case study, expanding our approach to include the unprotected side chains of histidine, tryptophan, and arginine. We demonstrate the synthesis of a Goserelin peptide API impurity, showcasing how a convergent peptide fragment strategy can be used to eliminate the need for TFA and diethyl ether, eliminate side chain protection of Arginine, Histidine, and Tryptophan.
The synthesis of the linear RP-182 analog, bicyclo[6.1.0]non-4-yn-9-ylmethyloxycarbonyl-PEG2-Lys-Phe-Arg-Lys-Ala-Phe-Lys-Arg-Phe-Phe-Lys(azido-PEG)-NH2, was achieved using standard solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) protocols. After cleaving the linear peptide from the resin, macrocyclization was performed in the liquid phase through a strain-promoted click reaction. BCN introduces extra ring strain due to its fused cyclopropane structure. The combined effect of ring strain, the selection of BCN, and copper catalysis significantly increases the macrocyclization efficiency of longer peptides like RP-182.
Nakagawa, Mayumi, Teresa Evans, Milan Bimali, Hannah Coleman, Jasmine Crane, Nadia Darwish, Jennifer L. Faulkner et al. MedRxiv (2025): 2025-01.
The vaccine consisted of four current good manufacturing production-grade synthetic peptides covering the HPV 16 E6 protein [amino acid (aa)1-45, 46-80, 81-115, and 116-158] (CPC Scientific, San Jose, CA [..]
Stapled peptides have emerged as a powerful tool in drug discovery and therapeutic development due to their ability to overcome the limitations associated with traditional peptide drugs, such as poor stability and low cell permeability. By introducing staples into the peptide backbone, researchers can stabilize peptide conformations and enhance their interactions with target proteins, resulting in improved efficacy and specificity. This approach not only addresses the challenges of peptide drug design but also opens new avenues for targeting challenging biomolecular interactions that are difficult to modulate with small molecules or antibodies. The development of stapled peptides has led to significant advancements in targeting protein-protein interactions, addressing previously intractable diseases, and enhancing the precision of therapeutic interventions.
Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) is a targeted therapeutic approach that utilizes peptides to deliver cytotoxic radiation to specific receptors overexpressed on cancer cells. Peptides offer several advantages as therapeutic vectors in PRRT due to their small size, favorable pharmacokinetics, high binding affinity, low immunogenicity and toxicity, and minimal off-target effects. Tumor-targeting peptides conjugated to radionuclide chelates represent a promising class of cancer therapeutics.
Singh, S.S., Calvo, R., Kumari, A., Sable, R.V., Fang, Y., Tao, D., Hu, X., Castle, S.G., Nahar, S., Li, D. and Major, E. Molecular Cancer Therapeutics (2024).
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[..] assembling the peptide on the Rink Amide resin and attaching the PEG azide moiety to the N-terminal Lys, the Dde group was removed as previously shown and coupled to the Fmoc-PEG2-acid. Removal of the Fmoc followed by simultaneously click/coupling to bicyclo[6.1.0]non-4-yn-9-ylmethyl (2,5-dioxopyrrolidin-1-yl) carbonate gave 1c which was deprotected and cleaved from the resin to give 1c.
Most proteinogenic peptides, except for certain hydrophobic sequences, can be synthesized in a linear fashion using solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) methods. However, longer sequences, particularly those exceeding 70 amino acids, often require alternative techniques due to challenges like steric hindrance. Other issues, such as poor solvation of the protected peptide during synthesis and the formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonds (e.g., β-sheets) between fragments, can also result in inefficient coupling and deprotection.