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IELLQAR is a short synthetic selectin-binding peptide originally identified as a peptide mimic of carbohydrate selectin ligands. Selectins are adhesion molecules that mediate leukocyte rolling, inflammatory cell recruitment, and vascular cell interactions. The IELLQAR sequence has been reported to compete with sialyl Lewis X-type ligand interactions and inhibit selectin-dependent binding events in cell adhesion models.
Because selectin-mediated adhesion plays an important role in inflammation, vascular injury, tumor cell adhesion, and immune cell trafficking, IELLQAR is a useful, compact research peptide for studying selectin-ligand recognition and for developing selectin-targeted delivery systems. Published studies have evaluated IELLQAR in E-selectin binding models and in inflammatory atherosclerosis research, where the peptide was reported to inhibit selectin binding to monocytes and reduce monocyte/macrophage-related vascular inflammation.
Research Background
E-selectin and P-selectin are inducible vascular adhesion molecules expressed on activated endothelial cells and platelets. Their interactions with selectin ligands contribute to leukocyte tethering, rolling, and recruitment during inflammation. IELLQAR has been described as a peptide analog of selectin ligands and has been used as a tool to interfere with selectin-mediated cell binding.
In cancer and vascular biology research, peptide mimics of selectin ligands are valuable because they provide chemically defined alternatives to complex carbohydrate ligands. IELLQAR is particularly useful when researchers need a short, synthetically accessible peptide motif for selectin binding, competitive inhibition, or particle surface functionalization.
Applications in Biomedical Research
Selectin Binding and Cell Adhesion Studies
IELLQAR can be used in assays designed to study selectin-mediated adhesion and ligand competition. It is relevant for experiments involving endothelial activation, leukocyte binding, monocyte adhesion, and inflammatory cell recruitment.
- E-selectin and P-selectin binding assays
- Leukocyte rolling and adhesion research
- Monocyte-endothelial interaction studies
- Competitive inhibition of selectin-ligand interactions
Inflammation and Atherosclerosis Research
Published work has investigated IELLQAR as a peptide analog of selectin ligands in atherosclerosis models. In these studies, IELLQAR reduced selectin-dependent monocyte binding and attenuated macrophage-related inflammatory processes, including pathways associated with NF-κB and mTOR signaling.
- Vascular inflammation studies
- Atherosclerotic plaque research
- Monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation studies
- Selectin-dependent inflammatory pathway analysis
Targeted Delivery and Nanomedicine
Because selectins are upregulated on activated vascular endothelium and inflammatory tissue sites, IELLQAR can be explored as a targeting ligand for nanoparticles, liposomes, and other drug delivery systems. Peptide-functionalized carriers can be used to investigate selectin-targeted binding and uptake in disease-relevant models.
- Selectin-targeted nanoparticle design
- Liposome and LNP surface functionalization
- Inflammation-targeted delivery studies
- Vascular-targeted imaging or drug delivery research
Mechanistic Features
Selectin ligand mimicry
IELLQAR has been reported to mimic key binding behavior of selectin ligands and can compete with carbohydrate-based ligands such as sialyl Lewis X in selectin recognition studies.
Short synthetic targeting motif
The seven-amino-acid sequence provides a compact and chemically defined peptide format suitable for direct synthesis, conjugation, or multivalent display.
Inflammation-facing selectin targeting
Selectins are associated with activated endothelium, leukocyte recruitment, and inflammatory vascular disease, making IELLQAR useful for inflammation-related targeting studies.
Customization Options
LifeTein can synthesize IELLQAR in multiple formats for specialized research applications, including N-terminal or C-terminal modification, biotinylation, fluorescent labeling, PEGylation, lipid conjugation, cysteine addition for thiol coupling, or MAP / multivalent peptide formats.
For nanoparticle or surface-display applications, researchers may request formats such as Cys-IELLQAR, IELLQAR-PEG-lipid, FITC-IELLQAR, Biotin-IELLQAR, or branched MAP versions.
Related LifeTein Services
Peptide click chemistry and conjugation
Carrier protein and peptide conjugation
Multiple antigenic peptide / MAP synthesis
Fluorescent peptide labeling
Research Use Only. Not for human or therapeutic use.
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