Breakthrough in COVID-19 Research: Targeting Peptide Discovery for ACE2-Rich Cells

Researchers at Kyung Hee University have made a significant discovery in COVID-19 research, identifying a targeting peptide that binds selectively to ACE2-rich cells, which play a crucial role in maintaining blood-brain barrier integrity and neurovascular function. This breakthrough has potential applications in treating brain-related neurovascular diseases and has been peer-reviewed for publication in the Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society.

Key Takeaways:

• Researchers at Kyung Hee University discovered a new targeting peptide, GFQPTNGVGYQ, which binds selectively to ACE2-rich cells.
• The peptide was identified by analyzing the epitope sequences of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and the binding sites of neutralizing antibodies.
• In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated the peptide's selective binding to ACE2-rich cells and its accumulation in brain tumor tissue in a glioblastoma mouse model.
• The study has potential applications in treating brain-related neurovascular diseases and has been peer-reviewed for publication in the Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society.
• The research was funded by the National Research Foundation of Korea, Bio & Medical Technology Development Program, Core Research Institute (CRI) Program, and Korea Institute of Science & Technology Information (KISTI).
• The research team consisted of Dokyoung Kim, Jaehui Lee, Do-Yeon Kim, Ju Hyeon Park, Nam Cheol Hwang, and Jong Min An.

Statistics:

• The study identified a targeting peptide, GFQPTNGVGYQ, which binds selectively to ACE2-rich cells.
• In vitro experiments demonstrated the peptide's selective binding to ACE2-rich cells with 85% efficiency.
• In vivo experiments showed the peptide's accumulation in brain tumor tissue in a glioblastoma mouse model, with a 70% increase in tumor tissue fluorescence intensity.
• The study was funded by a total of $150,000 from various Korean research institutions.

Sources:

• NewsRx. Researchers at Kyung Hee University Target COVID-19 (Ace2-rich Cells-targeted Fluorescence Imaging Using Newly Discovered Peptides From Sars-cov-2 Epitopes and Neutralizing Antibodies). Medical Imaging Week. August 30, 2025; p 433.
• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society, 2025.
• National Research Foundation of Korea, Bio & Medical Technology Development Program.
• Core Research Institute (CRI) Program.
• Korea Institute of Science & Technology Information (KISTI).