Abstracto

The application of cell penetrating peptides for the delivery of neuroprotective peptides/proteins in experimental cerebral ischaemia studies

Amanda J. Meade, Bruno P. Meloni, Frank L. Mastaglia and Neville W. Knuckey

The restricted ability of most proteins and peptides to cross the blood-brain barrier and/or plasma membrane limits their use as therapeutics following cerebral ischaemia. However, the discovery of cell-penetrating peptides has provided a means by which such molecules can be transported across the blood-brain barrier and plasma membrane. Many proteins/peptides have already been shown to have neuroprotective properties, and, due to their ability to block protein-protein interactions, provide a potentially rich source of new therapeutic compounds to prevent cell death following cerebral ischaemia. In this review, we give an overview of cell-penetrating peptides and their use experimentally to deliver neuroprotectant proteins/peptides into the brain following cerebral ischaemia.