Generating cyclic peptides as CR3-integrin modulators to elucidate its biology and therapeutic potential

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Christina Lamers
• Subject Area: Pharmacy
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 553123880

The complement receptor CR3 is an important receptor for defence against invading pathogens and to remove cellular debris by phagocytosis. However, it has been reported to play a role in age-dependent, inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases.CR3 has not been used as therapeutic target so far, since it shows a high promiscuity of interaction partners and endogenous ligands. The functional consequences of interaction with those ligands have not been fully investigated. In this project we aim to develop cyclic peptides as modulators of CR3. For this we will use modern screening technologies, supported by computational design and optimization. With those identified compounds, which can be binder, agonists, or antagonists, we will test the functional response of endogenous ligation partner of CR3, if they are tolerogenic or inflammatory, and if we can modulate them with our developed compounds. Cyclic peptides are especially suitable for this, as they are highly specific and show high binding affinity, by using a small binding interface, which enables specific modulation without influencing multiple receptor or binding partner. With these compounds in hand, we hope to gain more insights into CR3-biology and its possible usage as therapeutic target in neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants