A multicenter research group in New York and Boston has shown that an anti-inflammatory peptide called “Ac2-26,” can be encapsulated in biodegradable nanoparticles, so to evade the drug’s degradation in the blood and liver, and then arrive at a tissue injury site to suppress inflammation.  Ac2-26, made up of 24 amino acids, is derived from the naturally occurring, calcium-dependent phospholipid binding protein annexin A1.  While studies have only been done in mice, the researchers believe this approach has great potential benefit for treating chronic inflammatory diseases like atherosclerosis, arthritis, neurodegeneration, asthma and COPD.  MORE