Glucose-coated gold nanoparticles transfer across human brain endothelium and enter astrocytes in vitro.

The blood-brain barrier prevents the entry of many therapeutic agents into the brain. Various nanocarriers have been developed to help agents to cross this barrier, but they all have limitations, with regard to tissue-selectivity and their ability to cross the endothelium. This study investigated the potential for 4 nm coated gold nanoparticles to act as selective carriers across human brain endothelium and subsequently to enter astrocytes.

The influence of ligand organization on the rate of uptake of gold nanoparticles by colorectal cancer cells.

We have explored the uptake of different hydrophilic mono- and dual-ligand gold nanoparticles in colorectal cancer cells in vitro and find that the rate of uptake is dependent on the structural organization of the ligands on the surface of the particles rather than their charge or chemical properties. Gold nanoparticles with 50%PEG-NH(2)/50% glucose are taken up eighteen fold faster than nanoparticles carrying only PEG-NH(2) or glucose. Glutathione-coated gold particles are by far the most efficiently internalized; however, glucose-glutathione dual-ligand nanoparticles are taken up at a thirty fold reduced rate.

A human domain antibody and Lewis b glycoconjugate that inhibit binding of Helicobacter pylori to Lewis b receptor and adhesion to human gastric epithelium.

Increasing antibiotic resistance has prompted development of alternative approaches to antimicrobial therapy, including blocking microbial adhesion to host receptors. The BabA adhesin of Helicobacter pylori binds to fucosylated blood group antigens, such as the Lewis(b) antigens in human primate gastric mucosa. We have isolated a human domain antibody specific for BabA that inhibits binding of BabA to Lewis(b) and prevents adhesion of H.

Screening autoantibody profiles in systemic rheumatic disease with a diagnostic protein microarray that uses a filtration-assisted nanodot array luminometric immunoassay (NALIA).

Background: We developed a cost-efficient modular system for multiplex analysis of the multiple autoantibodies that characterize systemic rheumatoid diseases.

Methods: The nanodot array luminometric immunoassay (NALIA) system consists of conventional 96-well membrane-bottomed plates in which antigens or antibodies are adsorbed onto the underside of the membrane. Current arrays use a 5 x 5 format (25 dots/well), which allows 10 analytes to be measured in duplicate: double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), centromere protein B (CENP-B), PCNA, Sm, Sm ribonucleoprotein (Sm-RNP), U1-snRNP, Scl70, SSA/Ro, SSB/La, Jo-1, and controls.

Comparison of the Calibration Standards of Three Commercially Available Multiplex Kits for Human Cytokine Measurement to WHO Standards Reveals Striking Differences.

Serum parameters as indicators for the efficacy of therapeutic drugs are currently in the focus of intensive research. The induction of certain cytokines (or cytokine patterns) is known to be related to the status of the immune response e.g.

Human domain antibodies against virulence traits of Candida albicans inhibit fungus adherence to vaginal epithelium and protect against experimental vaginal candidiasis.

Antibody variable domains (domain antibodies [DAbs]) are genetically engineered antibody fragments that include individual heavy-chain (VH) or kappa-chain (Vkappa) variable domains and lack the Fc region. Human DAbs against the 65-kDa mannoprotein (MP65) or the secretory aspartyl proteinase (SAP)-2 of Candida albicans (monospecific DAbs) or against both fungal antigens (heterodimeric, bispecific DAbs) were generated from phage expression libraries. Both monospecific and bispecific DAbs inhibited fungus adherence to the epithelial cells of rat vagina and accelerated the clearance of vaginal infection with the fungus.

The human chorionic gonadotropin-beta arginine68 to glutamic acid substitution fixes the conformation of the C-terminal peptide.

Wild-type human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) has been used as a contraceptive vaccine. However, extensive sequence homology with LH elicits production of cross-reactive antibodies. Substitution of arginine(68) of the beta-subunit (hCG(beta)) with glutamic acid (R68E) profoundly reduces the cross-reactivity while refocusing the immune response to the hCG(beta)-specific C-terminal peptide (CTP).

Elimination of luteinizing hormone cross-reactive epitopes from human chorionic gonadotropin.

The beta-chain of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) has been shown to have efficacy in clinical trials when used as a contraceptive vaccine. This hormone is a heterodimer, the alpha-chain being shared with the other members of the glycoprotein hormone family but the beta-chain being unique to hCG. Nevertheless, there is sequence homology between the hCG beta-chain and the beta-chain of human luteinizing hormone (hLH) which results in cross-reactive antibodies being produced following immunization with wild-type hCGbeta.

Future prospects for vaccines to control fertility.

Vaccination is used routinely to protect against infectious disease and is being explored increasingly as a method of protection against tumors. Also, it has been established that vaccination using antigens associated with reproduction can protect against undesired pregnancy. Substantial progress over the past decade suggests that, if the remaining immunological and socioeconomic issues can be resolved, antifertility vaccines could be a valuable, additional method of family planning.

Antifertility vaccines.

The possibility of using immunization as a method of birth control has been explored actively since the 1930s, with several different sperm, egg or hormonal antigens having been studied as suitable targets for intervention. However, it is only in the past decade that the efficacy of vaccination against fertility has become established firmly in both humans and free-roaming animal populations. We will review recent progress in the continuing development of antifertility vaccines, with an emphasis on vaccines intended ultimately for use in humans, whilst highlighting also some of the notable successes achieved with vaccines produced for use in other species.