Therapeutic and imaging potential of peptide agents in cardiocascular disease

Yu, H. (2007)

Doctoral Thesis

With the use of combinatorial phage display, solid phase peptide synthesis and a multidiscipline of molecular and cellular assays in vascular biology, the research described in this thesis has resulted in the identification of two novel peptides targeting to SR-AI and CD40 respectively which hold promise as targeted contrast agents for the diagnosis of atherosclerosis symptom. In addition, a peptide named VIVIT and its derivatives had been discovered and synthesized which constitute a more selective and less toxic drug candidate than currently used immunosuppressant cyclosporine A or FK506, leading to new generation immunosuppressants and therapeutics for autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or allograft transplantation and cardiovascular disorders including atherosclerosis, restenosis and cardiac hypertrophy.

• Peptide imaging
• Cardiovascular disease
• Atherosclerosis
• Restenosis
• CD40
• Scavenger receptor
• NFAT
• Calcineurin
• SMC
• Vascular biology

• All authors: Yu, H.
• Supervisor: Biessen, E.A.L.; Berker, T.J.C. van
• Qualification: Doctor (dr.)
• Awarding Institution: LACDR, Faculty of Science, Leiden University
• Date: 2007-06-21
• ISBN (print): 9789090219226
• Court: LEI Universiteit Leiden
• Sponsorship: Dutch Technology Foundation STW project LFA.5952. Financial support by the STW for the publication of this thesis is gratefully acknowledged. Financial support by the Netherlands Heart Foundation for the publication of this thesis is gratefully acknowledged The printing of this thesis was also financially supported by -LACDR -Tebu-bio BV -Corning BV