Peptides and their utility in modulation of behavior of cells expressing α3β1 integrins

Abstract

The present invention relates to a peptide comprising the sequence R—X—X—X—X—R, wherein Xis selected from the group consisting of N, Q, D and S; Xis selected from the group consisting of V, I and L; Xis selected from the group consisting of R and K; and Xis selected from the group consisting of V, I, L and F; Ris a hydrogen or a peptide of 1 to 6 amino acids, an acyl or an aryl group; and Ris a peptide of 1 to 3 amino acids, a hydroxide or an amide. The invention also relates to partial or full retro-inverso peptides comprising the above sequences The invention also relates to peptide-substrate combination comprising a substrate suitable for cell growth and the peptide of the invention, and to a vascular graft and an artificial blood vessel comprising the peptide-substrate combination. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition and a peptide conjugate comprising the peptide of the invention. The invention also relates to a method of inhibiting adhesion of a cell expressing α3β1 integrin to an extracellular matrix, inhibiting α3β1-integrin-mediated cell motility, inhibiting α3β1-integrin mediated cell proliferation, promoting β3β1-integrin mediated cell proliferation and inhibiting angiogenesis utilizing the peptides of the invention.