Shandong University Peptide Nanoparticle Based on the Macrophage Protein TIMD4 Eases Colitis in Mice
Shandong University researchers reported in PLOS Biology on October 21, 2026 that mice lacking TIMD4, a macrophage protein elevated in colon tissue from people with ulcerative colitis, developed worse chemically induced colitis with more monocytes entering the colon. They designed a peptide from TIMD4's intracellular region, T4(365-378), and packaged it in macrophage-targeted nanoparticles, which reduced inflammatory signaling and eased colitis, performed similarly to a CCR2-blocking drug, and worked better combined with anti-α4β7 or anti-TNF antibodies than either treatment alone. The results are from mice and cells.