Silicon nanoparticles decorated with CAQK peptides accumulated at the site of an injury in a mouse brain (red, bottom left). Untreated brains (top) or those from animals receiving particles decorated with another four-amino-acid peptide (bottom right) showed no such accumulation. Mouse brains are about 9 mm wide. Credit: Nat. Comm.
Researchers have found a four-amino-acid peptide that selectively binds to sites of injury in the brain. Such a peptide could help guide small molecules, proteins, and nanoparticles designed to detect or treat traumatic brain injury, the scientists say.
Currently, there are no good treatments to limit the long-term damage caused by traumatic brain injuries experienced by accident victims or military personnel. Erkki Ruoslahti of the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute and coworkers developed the peptide as part of a project funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
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