Three Distinct d-Amino Acid Substitutions Confer Potent Antiangiogenic Activity on an Inactive Peptide Derived from a Thrombospondin-1 Type 1 Repeat

Mal II, a 19-residue peptide derived from the second type 1 properdin-like repeat of the antiangiogenic protein thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), was inactive in angiogenesis assays. Yet the substitution of any one of three l -amino acids by their d -enantiomers conferred on this peptide a potent antiangiogenic activity approaching that of the intact 450-kDa TSP-1. Substituted peptides inhibited the migration of capillary endothelial cells with an ED 50 of 8.5 nM for the d -Ile-15 substitution, 10 nM for the d -Ser-4 substitution, and 0.75 nM for the d -Ser-5 substitution. A peptide with d -Ile at position 15 could be shortened to its last seven amino acids with little loss in activity. Like whole TSP-1, the Mal II d -Ile derivative inhibited a broad range of angiogenic inducers, was selective for endothelial cells, and required CD36 receptor binding for activity. A variety of end modifications further improved peptide potency. An ethylamide-capped heptapeptide was also active systemically in that when injected i.p. it rendered mice unable to mount a corneal angiogenic response, suggesting the potential usefulness of such peptides as antiangiogenic therapeutics.