Aqueous partitioning capsules
AssigneeKansas State University Research Foundation
InventorsJohn M. TOMICH, Susan K. WHITAKER, Shelby INNES, Sungmin YOON
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Aqueous partitioning peptide capsules for delivery of active agents. The capsules comprise a membrane having an exterior surface and defining a liquid-receiving interior space configured to encapsulate water-soluble active agents therein. The capsule membrane consists of a plurality of linear peptides, each peptide comprising a hydrophobic core of between 4 and 12 hydrophobic amino acids flanked by N- and C-terminal hydrophilic segments each comprising between 3 to 4 hydrophilic amino acids. Methods of making peptide capsules and methods of using the peptide capsules to deliver active agents encapsulated therein or attached thereto to a variety of organisms is described.
Claims20
A peptide capsule comprising a membrane having an exterior surface and defining a liquid-receiving interior space configured to encapsulate water-soluble active agents therein, wherein the membrane consists of a plurality of linear peptides, each peptide comprising a hydrophobic core of between 4 and 12 hydrophobic amino acids flanked by N- and C-terminal hydrophilic segments each comprising between 3 to 4 hydrophilic amino acids.
A method of forming a peptide capsule for encapsulating water-soluble active agents, said method comprising:
- dispersing or dissolving a plurality of linear peptides in a low-pH buffer system having a pH of less than 5, optionally comprising active agents to be encapsulated, to form a dispersion of peptides and active agent, if present, wherein the peptides each comprise a hydrophobic core of between 4 and 12 hydrophobic amino acids flanked by N- and C-terminal hydrophilic segments each comprising between 3 to 4 hydrophilic amino acids;
- incubating the dispersion for a time period of less than 20 minutes, wherein said peptides self-assemble into peptide capsules comprising a membrane having an exterior surface and defining a liquid-receiving interior space, wherein the membrane consists of a plurality of said peptides, wherein said active agent, if present, is encapsulated in said liquid-receiving interior space of said capsule;
- and
- raising the pH of the mixture to a pH of at least about 7.
A method of forming a peptide capsule for encapsulating water-soluble active agents, said method comprising:
- dispersing or dissolving a plurality of linear peptides in an aqueous solution having a pH of from about 2 to about 9, optionally comprising active agents to be encapsulated, to form a dispersion of peptides and active agent, if present, wherein the peptides each comprise a hydrophobic core comprising XLIVIIVIL (SEQ ID NO:47), where X is F or V, flanked by N- and C-terminal hydrophilic segments each comprising between 3 to 4 hydrophilic amino acids;
- incubating the dispersion for a time period of less than 20 minutes, wherein said peptides self-assemble into peptide capsules comprising a monolayer membrane having an exterior surface and defining a liquid-receiving interior space, wherein the monolayer membrane consists of a plurality of said peptides, wherein said active agent, if present, is encapsulated in said liquid-receiving interior space of said capsule.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.