TFMG

TFMG (TRAP-sFn-MMP-2-PC-Gla) is an engineered, ferritin-based protein C nanoparticle (PCN) designed to normalize abnormal tumor vasculature and ameliorate vascular inflammation. Developed by researchers at Kyungpook National University and the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), TFMG is constructed using a genetically engineered short human ferritin nanocage (sFn) decorated with thrombin receptor agonist peptide (TRAP) at the N-terminus and a protein C gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (PC-Gla) domain at the C-terminus, separated by a matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) cleavage site. This design allows for the responsive release of the PC-Gla domain in the MMP-2-rich tumor microenvironment or septic microenvironment. TFMG targets endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) and protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR-1), inducing PAR-1/PAR-3 heterodimerization, which activates the Gα13-RhoA-mediated Tie2 pathway and stabilizes vascular tight junctions via Akt-FoxO3a signaling. This vascular normalization reduces hypoxia, improves drug delivery (e.g., of cisplatin), and enhances antitumor immune responses. It has also shown potential in treating sepsis and castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

Other names

TRAP-sFn-MMP-2-PC-GlaTRAP-sFn-MMP2-PC-GlaTRAP-sFn-MMP 2-PC-Gla