Use of a Kinase Inhibitor Peptide for Treatment of Cartilage Damage and Disease

Inflammation is a result of the body's immune system responding to an injury. Inflammation is possible in infection, physical injury, and diseases like arthritis. More evidence suggests that the secondary effects associated with inflammation can result in permanent damage, a more severe wound, or a longer recuperation time.

Purdue University researchers have developed a delivery system for a peptide that specifically binds to a kinase and inhibits the inflammatory response. Specifically, they are looking at the peptide and delivery vehicle's ability to slow inflammation in damaged cartilage. The cartilage can be a difficult tissue to treat given cartilage receives less blood than other areas of the body. As a result, dead cells are harder to remove from the area and could result in a longer exposure to inflamed tissue. By using a specific polymer and sulfated nanoparticles, the peptide can be delivered to the injury site where it is slowly released to help improve healing over a tunable period. The results of these modifications could result in improved healing to injured sites, minimized time to complete recovery, and reduced secondary complications.

Advantages:

-Reduces healing time

-Decreases long-term damage

-Osteoarthritis treatment option

TRL: 3

Intellectual Property:

Keywords: Peptide delivery system, kinase inhibitor, inflammatory response, damaged cartilage treatment, slow release healing, polymer nanoparticles, sulfated nanoparticles, healing time reduction, long-term damage decrease, osteoarthritis therapy