| abstract |
The present invention concerns methods and compositions for identifying human targeting peptides sequences. In preferred embodiments, a primary phage library is administered to a human in vivoand phage bearing targeting peptides are collected from selected organs, tissues or cells types. In more preferred embodiments, collected phage are amplified, pooled and administered to a second human for another round of selection. The peptides are of use for targeted delivery of therapeutic agents, including gene therapy vectors. Such targeted delivery may be used for detection, diagnosis or treatment of human diseases. In certain embodiments, the peptide may be attached to an imaging agent and administered to a human to obtain an image or to diagnose a disease state. Also disclosed are a large number of targeting peptide sequences and consensus motifs that are selective for human organs or tissues, obtained by the methods of the present invention. |