Abstract: The present application relates to a peptide having protective activity against cell damage caused by particulate matter, and to uses for the peptide.

Abstract: Described herein are nanoparticle bound self-antigens as an immune and vaccine formulations to elicit self-regulations and reduce atherosclerosis. The use of apolipoprotein B100 (ApoB-100) peptide P210 was investigated in self-assembling peptide amphiphile micelles (P210-PAM) as a vaccine formulation to reduce atherosclerosis in ApoE?/? mice. Demonstrated herein, P210 provided T cell activation and memory response in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of human subjects with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and dendritic cell uptake of P210-PAM and its co-staining with major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) molecules supported its use as an immunogenic composition. In ApoE?/? mice, immunization with P210-PAM dampened P210-specific CD4+ T cell proliferative response and CD8+ T cell cytolytic response, modulated macrophage phenotype, and significantly reduced aortic atherosclerosis. P210-PAM immunization also reduced atherosclerosis in chimeric mice with human MHC-I allele.