Peyer's patch and/or m-cell targeting ligands

Abstract

Purified synthetic polypeptide ligands for targeting pharmaceutical agents and carriers comprising such agents to intestinal epithelial tissue, especially Peyer's patch and/or M-Cell tissue. Also methods of using the ligands.

1 . A purified synthetic polypeptide ligand comprising a 12-mer L-peptide or homologue thereof, said 12-mer L-peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:25 and SEQ ID NOs:38-39 wherein said homologue is at least 9/12 homologous to a 12-mer peptide selected from said group and wherein said 12-mer L-peptide or homologue thereof, when integrated as an N-terminal PIII fusion peptide of an M13 phage confers the ability to bind the phage to either Caco-2 cell, IEC-6 cell, rat, mouse, pig or dog homogenate membrane fractions, said ability being at least as great as that conferred by a similarly integrated 12-mer peptide of SEQ ID NO:67. 
     
     
         2 . The purified synthetic polypeptide ligand of  claim 1 , wherein the homologue is at least 10/12 homologous to said 12-mer peptide. 
     
     
         3 . The purified synthetic polypeptide ligand of  claim 1 , wherein the homologue is at least 11/12 homologous to said 12-mer peptide. 
     
     
         4 . The purified synthetic polypeptide ligand of  claim 1 , wherein said ligand consists of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:25 and SEQ ID NO:38-39 or homologue thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The purified synthetic polypeptide ligand of  claim 1 , wherein said ligand is at most 200 amino acids in length. 
     
     
         6 . The purified synthetic polypeptide ligand of  claim 1 , wherein said ligand is at least 12 amino acids in length. 
     
     
         7 . The purified synthetic polypeptide ligand of  claim 1 , wherein the 12-mer L-peptide is selected from the group consisting of VPPHPMTYSCQY (SEQ ID NO:25), VPPHPMTYSAQY (SEQ ID NO:38) and VPPHPMTYSSQY (SEQ ID NO:39). 
     
     
         8 . The purified synthetic polypeptide ligand of  claim 1 , wherein the 12-mer L-peptide is VPPHPMTYSCQY (SEQ ID NO:25).