@article {45401,
	title = {From a helix to a small cycle: metadynamics-inspired alpha v beta 6 integrin selective ligands},
	journal = {Angewandte Chemie-International Edition},
	volume = {57},
	year = {2018},
	month = {OCT},
	pages = {14645-14649},
	type = {Article},
	abstract = {The RGD-recognizing alpha v beta 6 integrin has only recently emerged as a major target for cancer diagnosis and therapy. Thus, the development of selective, low-molecular-weight ligands of this receptor is still in great demand. Here, a metadynamics-driven design strategy allowed us to successfully convert a helical nonapeptide into a cyclic pentapeptide (6) showing remarkable potency and alpha v beta 6 specificity. NMR and docking studies elucidated the reasons for the high affinity and selectivity of this compound, setting the ground for the rational design of new alpha v beta 6-specific small peptides or even peptidomimetics. In vivo PET imaging studies demonstrated the potential use of 6 for medical applications.},
	issn = { 1433-7851},
	doi = {10.1002/anie.201803250},
	author = {Di Leva, Francesco Saverio and Tomassi, Stefano and Di Maro, Salvatore and Reichart, Florian and Notni, Johannes and Dangi, Abha and Marelli, Udaya Kiran and Brancaccio, Diego and Merlino, Francesco and Wester, Hans-Juergen and Novellino, Ettore and Kessler, Horst and Marinelli, Luciana}
}
@article {44597,
	title = {N-Methylation of isoDGR peptides: discovery of a selective alpha 5 beta 1-integrin ligand as a potent tumor imaging agent},
	journal = {Journal of Medicinal Chemistry},
	volume = {61},
	year = {2018},
	month = {MAR},
	pages = {2490-2499},
	type = {Article},
	abstract = {<p>Specific targeting of the integrin subtype alpha 5 beta 1 possesses high potential in cancer diagnosis and therapy. Through sequential N-methylation, we successfully converted the biselective alpha 5 beta 1/alpha v beta 6 peptide c(phg-isoDGR-k) into a potent peptidic RGD binding aSfil subtype selective ligand c(phg-isoDGR-(NMe)k). Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and molecular modeling clarified the molecular basis of its improved selectivity profile. To demonstrate its potential in vivo, c(phg-isoDGR-(NMe)k) was trimerized with the chelator TRAP and used as a positron-emission tomography tracer for monitoring alpha 5 beta 1 integrin expression in a M21 mouse xenograft.</p>},
	issn = {0022-2623},
	doi = {10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b01752},
	author = {Kapp, Tobias G. and Di Leva, Francesco Saverio and Notni, Johannes and Raeder, Andreas F. B. and Fottner, Maximilian and Reichart, Florian and Reich, Dominik and Wurzer, Alexander and Steiger, Katja and Novellino, Ettore and Marelli, Udaya Kiran and Wester, Hans-Juergen and Marinelli, Luciana and Kessler, Horst}
}
@article {46184,
	title = {Selective targeting of integrin alpha v beta 8 by a highly active cyclic peptide},
	journal = {Journal of Medicinal Chemistry},
	volume = {62},
	year = {2019},
	month = {FEB },
	pages = {2024-2037},
	type = {Article},
	abstract = {<p>Integrins play important roles in physiological and pathophysiological processes. Among the RGD-recognizing integrin subtypes, the alpha v beta 8 receptor is emerging as an attractive target because of its involvement in various illnesses, such as autoimmune diseases, viral infections, and cancer. However, its functions have, so far, not been investigated in living subjects mainly because of the lack of a selective alpha v beta 8 ligand. Here, we report the design and potential medical applications of a cyclic octapeptide as the first highly selective small-molecule ligand for alpha v beta 8. Remarkably, this compound displays low nanomolar alpha v beta 8 binding affinity and a strong discriminating power of at least 2 orders of magnitude versus other RGD-recognizing integrins. Peptide functionalization with fluorescent or radioactive labels enables the selective imaging of alpha v beta 8-positive cells and tissues. This new probe will pave the way for detailed characterization of the distinct (patho)physiological role of this relatively unexplored integrin, providing a basis to fully exploit the potential of alpha v beta 8 as a target for molecular diagnostics and personalized therapy regimens.</p>
},
	issn = {0022-2623},
	doi = {10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01588},
	author = {Reichart, Florian and Maltsev, Oleg V. and Kapp, Tobias G. and Raeder, Andreas F. B. and Weinmueller, Michael and Marelli, Udaya Kiran and Notni, Johannes and Wurzer, Alexander and Beck, Roswitha and Wester, Hans Juergen and Steiger, Katja and Di Maro, Salvatore and Di Leva, Francesco Saverio and Marinelli, Luciana and Nieberler, Markus and Reuning, Ute and Schwaiger, Markus and Kessler, Horst}
}
