T-cell-dependent antibody responses in the rat: forms and sources of keyhole limpet hemocyanin matter.

The T-cell-dependent antibody response (TDAR) is a functional assay used in immunopharmacology and immunotoxicology to assess ability to mount an antibody response to immunization. Keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) is extensively used as the immunogen of choice in non-clinical and clinical settings. Native KLH is comprised of high molecular weight (HMW; 4-8 MDa) assemblies of KLH subunit dimers (> 600-800 kDa).

Carbohydrate-based Clostridium difficile vaccines.

Clostridium difficile is responsible for thousands of deaths each year and a vaccine would be welcomed, especially one that would disrupt bacterial maintenance, colonization and persistence in carriers and convalescent patients. Structural explorations at the University of Guelph (ON, Canada) discovered that C. difficile may express three phosphorylated polysaccharides, named PSI, PSII and PSIII; this review captures our recent efforts to create vaccines based on these glycans, especially PSII, the common antigen that has precipitated immediate attention.

Dopaminergic properties and experimental anti-parkinsonian effects of IPX750 in rodent models of Parkinson disease.

With a view toward improving the neural bioavailability of administered dopaminergic compounds, including dopamine, synthetic efforts have been directed toward enhancing the brain bioavailability of these compounds by accessing cellular sugar transport systems with stereoselective dopaminergic drugs. While synthesis and chemistry of the resultant class of compounds has recently been described in US Patent No. 6,548,484, the associated biologic properties have not previously been reported.

The effect of platelet releasate on wound healing in animal models.

The alpha granules of platelets contain growth factors that are important in wound healing. We found that a major effect of thrombin-induced human platelet releasates in animal models of wound healing is to enhance the development of granulation tissue and new connective tissue matrix. These studies provide further evidence that platelet-derived protein factors may be useful in treating full-thickness dermal wounds by increasing the rate of granulation tissue formation.

Reaction to injectable collagen: results in animal models and clinical use.

Since its commercial release, Zyderm collagen implant has been used to treat more than 200,000 subjects in the United States for soft-tissue contour defects and more than 250,000 patients internationally (including the United States). Approximately 3 percent of subjects' skin tested with Zyderm collagen experience localized hypersensitivity reactions to collagen, whereas approximately 1 percent of treated patients demonstrate symptoms of hypersensitivity at treatment sites. Of the latter treatment responses reported since the conclusion of clinical trials with Zyderm, 56 percent occurred following the first treatment, 28 percent following the second, 10 percent following the third, and 6 percent following subsequent exposures.