Screening biomaterials for functional complement activation in serum.

Complement plays an important role in the immune attack against invading microorganisms. However, blood-contacting medical device biomaterials lacking specific complement inhibitors, with free hydroxyl and/or amino groups, or with absorbed antibodies, may inappropriately activate complement. Inappropriate activation by either the antibody-mediated classical or the antibody-independent alternative pathway may have well-known acute or poorly understood chronic effects on the host or device.

Inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin modulates expression of adhesion molecules in endothelial cells.

Neointimal hyperplasia often follows angioplasty-induced arterial injury or stenting and results in restenosis. Previous reports have suggested that arterial injury activates complement which amplifies inflammatory responses that may initiate and sustain neointimal hyperplasia. The effects of rapamycin on complement-induced expression of intracellular adhesion molecules (ICAMs) were examined in porcine arterial endothelial cell (PAEC) line that was transformed with large T antigen.

Molecular characteristics of Junin virus.

Results suggest that protein, glycerophospolipid, galactoside, and sialyl glycoside residues are present in Junin virus (JV), are accessible to enzymatic digestion, and play an important role in infection. Four major protein bands with molecular masses (Mr) 64 +/- 2, 56 +/- 2, 52 +/- 3 (mean +/- standard deviation, n = 4) and approximately 12-18 kDa were consistently detected after denaturing gel electrophoresis analysis of purified attenuated JV. The 52 kDa protein showed a diffuse tail in the 52-56 kDa range and was considered to be the JV glycoprotein.

Separation and characterization of polyethylene wear debris from synovial fluid and tissue samples of revised knee replacements.

A study was made of in vivo-generated polyethylene wear particles as separated from synovial fluid samples and from tissue samples surrounding total knee arthroplasty. A comparison of particle size and morphology between the two particle groups was made to assess any effects of selective tissue capture, and macrophage encapsulation and digestion. In addition, a Raman spectroscopy technique was evaluated that enables positive identification of individual wear particles.

Replication and physical parameters important for preparing purified Junin virus.

Junin virus (JV) is an Arenavirus and the causative agent of Argentine hemorrhagic fever (AHF), an often fatal human disease. The attenuated strain XJ-clone 3 (XJC13) of JV, after being tested in humans, has been considered a promising vaccine. We found that synthesis of JV XJC13 reaches a peak 2 days after infection and the kinetics of synthesis are little affected by the multiplicity of infection (MOI) in a range from 0.