Enhanced opsonisation of Rhesus D-positive human red blood cells by recombinant polymeric immunoglobulin G anti-G antibodies.

Background: Anti-RhD antibodies (anti-D) are important in the prophylaxis of haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn (HDFN) due to RhD incompatibility. Current preparations of anti-D are sourced from hyperimmune human plasma, so its production carries a risk of disease and is dependent on donor availability. Despite the efforts to develop a monoclonal preparation with similar prophylactic properties to the plasma-derived anti-D, no such antibody is yet available.

CTLA4Fcε, a novel soluble fusion protein that binds B7 molecules and the IgE receptors, and reduces human in vitro soluble CD23 production and lymphocyte proliferation.

Immunoglobulin E-mediated allergy and certain autoimmune diseases are characterized by the presence of a T helper type 2 (Th2) immune response and allergen-specific or self-reactive IgE. Soluble CD23 (sCD23) is a B-cell factor that fosters IgE class-switching and synthesis, suggesting that sCD23 may be a therapeutic target for these pathologies. We produced a recombinant protein, CTLA4Fcε, by fusing the ectodomain of the immunoregulatory molecule cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) with a fragment of the IgE H-chain constant region.

Study of the fibrinolytic process in a patient with antiphospholipid syndrome.

The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the presence of antibodies against β2-Glycoprotein I (aβ2-GPI), cardiolipin (aCL) and lupus anticoagulant combined with venous or arterial thrombosis and/or foetal losses. A 28-year-old female was positive for aβ2-GPI, aCL, aPT (antibodies against prothrombin) and lupus anticoagulant. She had two miscarriages and a deep vein thrombosis event.

Novel antibody-based proteins for cancer immunotherapy.

The relative success of monoclonal antibodies in cancer immunotherapy and the vast manipulation potential of recombinant antibody technology have encouraged the development of novel antibody-based antitumor proteins. Many insightful reagents have been produced, mainly guided by studies on the mechanisms of action associated with complete and durable remissions, results from experimental animal models, and our current knowledge of the human immune system. Strikingly, only a small percent of these new reagents has demonstrated clinical value.

Decreased survival of human breast cancer cells expressing HER2/neu on in vitro incubation with an anti-HER2/neu antibody fused to C5a or C5a desArg.

Treatment of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu)-expressing breast cancer patients with a monoclonal antibody (mAb) directed against HER2/neu improves the outcome of chemotherapy. In cases in which remission is observed, antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) seems to be one of the main mechanisms of anti-HER2/neu mAb action, implicating Fc gamma receptors (Fc gamma Rs) in this tumoricidal activity. In vitro and in vivo studies have revealed that anti-HER2/neu-mediated ADCC is mainly accomplished by polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN).