Recent Advances of Cell-Penetrating Peptides and Their Application as Vectors for Delivery of Peptide and Protein-Based Cargo Molecules

Peptides and proteins, two important classes of biomacromolecules, play roles in the biopharmaceuticals field. As compared with traditional drugs based on small molecules, peptide- protein-based offer several advantages, although most cannot traverse cell membrane, a natural barrier that prevents biomacromolecules from directly entering cells. However, drug delivery via cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) is increasingly replacing approaches mediate biomacromolecular cellular uptake, due to CPPs’ superior safety efficiency as vehicles. In this review, we describe discovery CPPs, recent developments CPP design, advances applications for enhanced drugs. First, discuss CPPs snake, bee, spider venom. Second, synthetic types such cyclic glycosylated D-form CPPs. Finally, summarize membrane permeability characteristics therapeutic different when used vehicles deliver proteins cells, assessed using various preclinical disease models. Ultimately, review provides an overview development relevance related alleviate diverse diseases.