Investigation of the stability and cellular uptake of self-associated monoclonal antibody (MAb) nanoparticles by non-small lung cancer cells.

The inability to deliver MAbs to intracellular targets still remains a limitation to their application in cancer therapy and diagnosis. Selective targeting of MAbs to oncoproteins in cancer cells while avoiding their accumulation in normal cells may reduce some of the well-documented adverse effects accompanying antibody therapy. One of the remarkable characteristics of malignant cells is the alteration in the biological properties of the cellular plasma membrane.

Self-associated submicron IgG1 particles for pulmonary delivery: effects of non-ionic surfactants on size, shape, stability, and aerosol performance.

The ability to produce submicron particles of monoclonal antibodies of different sizes and shapes would enhance their application to pulmonary delivery. Although non-ionic surfactants are widely used as stabilizers in protein formulations, we hypothesized that non-ionic surfactants will affect the shape and size of submicron IgG particles manufactured through precipitation. Submicron particles of IgG1 were produced by a precipitation process which explores the fact that proteins have minimum solubility but maximum precipitation at the isoelectric point.

Transsulfuration pathway defects and increased glutathione degradation in severe acute pancreatitis.

Glutathione depletion is a consistent feature of the progression of mild to severe acute pancreatitis. In this study, we examined the temporal relationship between cysteine, homocysteine, and cysteinyl-glycine levels; total reduced erythrocyte glutathione; gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity; and disease severity. Initially, cysteine concentration was low, at levels similar to those of healthy controls.