Rabies virus glycoprotein (RVG) peptide is a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) antagonist (IC50 = 2.5 ?M for the human receptor).1 Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) conjugated to RVG peptide selectively traffic to the brain over the lungs and liver in rats.2 LNPs conjugated to RVG peptide and encapsulating the iron chelator and prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor deferoxamine (DFO) reduce iron levels in the striatum and substantia nigra, as well as decrease levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and increase levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the substantia nigra in a mouse model of MPTP-induced Parkinson's disease. RVG-containing and DFO-encapsulating LNPs also increase the latency to fall in the rotarod test in the same model.
References:
[1]. Lentz, T.L., Hawrot, E., and Wilson, P.T.Synthetic peptides corresponding to sequences of snake venom neurotoxins and rabies virus glycoprotein bind to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptorProteins2(4)298-307(1987).
[2]. You, L., Wang, J., Liu, T., et al.Correction to targeted brain delivery of rabies virus glycoprotein 29-modified deferoxamine-loaded nanoparticles reverses functional deficits in Parkinsonian miceACS Nano16(11)19605(2022).
















