Abstract
Calcineurin inhibitors such as cyclosporine A and FK506 have been used for transplant therapy and treatment of autoimmune diseases. However, the inhibition of calcineurin outside the immune system has a number of side effects, including hyperglycemia. In the search for safer drugs, we developed a cell-permeable inhibitor of NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells) using the polyarginine peptide delivery system. This peptide provided immunosuppression for fully mismatched islet allografts in mice. In addition, it did not affect insulin secretion, whereas FK506 caused a dose-dependent decrease in insulin secretion. Cell-permeable peptides can thus provide a new strategy for drug development and may eventually be useful clinically.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 305-309 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Nature Medicine |
Volume | 10 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Mar 2004 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)