Peptide nanoparticles and uses therefor

Abstract

The present invention provides nanoparticle compositions including one or more peptides. The present invention achieves transdermal delivery of such peptides without the need for peptide modification, or for use of chemical or mechanical abrasion or disruption of skin.

1 . A nanoparticle composition in an aqueous media comprising:
 a surfactant,   a hydrophilic component comprising at least one polysaccharide selected from the group consisting of sucrose and trehalose,   an unmodified peptide less than 40 amino acids in length, and   a biologically active agent comprising a serotype A botulinum toxin or botulinum toxin complex,   wherein the nanoparticle composition self-assembles into micelles, and   wherein the nanoparticle composition is free of albumin.   
     
     
         2 . The nanoparticle composition of  claim 1 , wherein the surfactant comprises a polysorbate. 
     
     
         3 . The nanoparticle composition of  claim 2 , wherein the polysorbate is polysorbate 20. 
     
     
         4 . The nanoparticle composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises nanoparticles having a size range of about 1 to about 200 nm. 
     
     
         5 . The nanoparticle composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises nanoparticles having a size range of about 1 to about 100 nm 
     
     
         6 . The nanoparticle composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises nanoparticles having a size range of about 1 to 15 nm. 
     
     
         7 . The nanoparticle composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises nanoparticles having an average particle size that is under about 200 nm. 
     
     
         8 . The nanoparticle composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is substantially free of nanoparticles having a diameter in excess of 300 nm. 
     
     
         9 . The nanoparticle composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is stable for over a day. 
     
     
         10 . The nanoparticle composition of  claim 1 , wherein the peptide comprises a polylysine. 
     
     
         11 . The nanoparticle composition of  claim 1 , wherein the unmodified peptide is between 5 and 40 amino acids in length. 
     
     
         12 . The nanoparticle composition of  claim 1 , wherein the unmodified peptide is 35 amino acids in length. 
     
     
         13 . The nanoparticle composition of  claim 1 , wherein the aqueous medium is water. 
     
     
         14 . The nanoparticle composition of  claim 1 , wherein the aqueous medium is saline solution. 
     
     
         15 . A nanoparticle composition in an aqueous media comprising:
 a surfactant comprising a polysorbate,   a hydrophilic component comprising at least one polysaccharide selected from the group consisting of sucrose and trehalose,   an unmodified peptide less than 40 amino acids in length, and   a biologically active agent comprising a serotype A botulinum toxin or botulinum toxin complex,   wherein the nanoparticle composition self-assembles into micelles, and   wherein the nanoparticle composition is free of albumin.   
     
     
         16 . A method for treatment of a condition characterized by facial wrinkles in a subject, comprising administering the composition of  claim 1  to the skin of a subject for the reduction of facial wrinkles. 
     
     
         17 . A method for identifying an unmodified peptide that improves the appearance of skin, comprising the steps of:
 administering the nanoparticle composition of  claim 1  to a sample of skin; and   monitoring the effect of the nanoparticle composition on the appearance of the sample of skin relative to the effect of a control substance.