A receptor-binding-based bioassay to determine the potency of a plasmid biopharmaceutical encoding VEGF-C.

Over the last decade biological assays (bioassays) have gained much importance for quality control in biopharmaceutical development and manufacturing. Here we describe the development and validation of a bioassay to determine the biological activity (potency) of the plasmid biopharmaceutical pVGI.1 which encodes the VEGF-C (VEGF-2) protein.

Retroviral targeting of proliferating endothelial cells.

Tumor growth requires the formation of new blood vessels by endothelial cells. Thus, surface molecules -- such as angiogenin receptors -- that are selectively expressed on growing endothelium represent an attractive target for directed delivery of compounds to tumor tissue. We attempted to obtain genetically engineered retroviral vectors targeted to the endothelium by inserting the human angiogenin sequence into Moloney murine leukemia virus envelope glycoprotein.

Continuous therapeutic epinephrine but not norepinephrine prolongs splanchnic IL-6 production in porcine endotoxic shock.

Catecholamines play a central role in the treatment of sepsis-associated hypotension. However, these hormones have also been shown to modulate the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced induction of cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL)-10, and IL-6 in vitro and in human endotoxemia. We hypothesized that catecholamines applied therapeutically in septic shock also influence cytokine patterns.

Monitoring of circulating angiogenic factors in dendritic cell-based cancer immunotherapy.

Background: A promising treatment approach for patients with malignant disease that recently has found its way into clinical trials is based on vaccination with autologous dendritic cells loaded with tumor antigens. However, adequate assays for monitoring clinical and immunologic responses still are under debate. In recent years, the determination of angiogenic markers has shown considerable potential in the diagnosis and prognosis of patients with malignant disease, because tumor growth and spread are promoted by angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels.