Publications by authors named "Jane Z Moraes"

Disadvantages of using murine monoclonal antibodies (mAb) in human therapy, such as immunogenicity response, led to the development of technologies to transform murine antibodies into human antibodies. The murine anti-FGF2 3F12E7 mAb was proposed as a promising agent to treat metastatic melanoma tumors; once it blocks the FGF2, responsible for playing a role in tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Considering the therapeutic potential of anti-FGF2 3F12E7 mAb and its limited use in humans due to its origin, we used this antibody as the template for a guided selection humanization technique to obtain human anti-FGF2 mAbs.

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Anti-idiotype antibodies have been considered for vaccination approaches against different diseases, including cancers. Based on that, we previously described an anti-bevacizumab idiotype monoclonal antibody, 10.D7, that revealed detectable antitumor effects on a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-dependent tumor model.

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Article Synopsis
  • Hybridoma technology helps scientists make specific antibodies (called mAbs) by fusing special immune cells with cancer cells.
  • This method has been used for a long time but has some downsides, like not always working well and needing to use animals.
  • Newer techniques have been created to improve how we make antibodies, and this review talks about these old and new methods, their pros and cons, and how useful hybridoma technology still is today.
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Single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) are small-sized artificial constructs composed of the immunoglobulin heavy and light chain variable regions connected by a peptide linker. We have previously described an anti-fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) immunoglobulin G (IgG) monoclonal antibody (mAb), named 3F12E7, with notable antitumor potential revealed by preclinical assays. FGF2 is a known angiogenesis-associated molecule implicated in tumor progression.

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Amphiphilicity is the most critical parameter in the self-assembly of surfactant-like peptides (SLPs), regulating the way by which hydrophobic attraction holds peptides together. Its effects go beyond supramolecular assembly and may also trigger different cell responses of bioactive peptide-based nanostructures. Herein, we investigate the self-assembly and cellular effects of nanostructures based on isomeric SLPs composed by arginine (R) and phenylalanine (F).

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Several studies report the key role of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling on angiogenesis and on tumor growth. This has led to the development of a number of VEGF-targeted agents to treat cancer patients by disrupting the tumor blood vessel supply. Of them, bevacizumab, an FDA-approved humanized monoclonal antibody against VEGF, is the most promising.

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Article Synopsis
  • Scientists are studying a process called angiogenesis, which is how new blood vessels form from old ones, to help treat conditions where blood flow is reduced.
  • A substance from the bark of a plant called Crataeva tapia (CrataBL) can help support the movement and growth of special cells that form blood vessels.
  • CrataBL has been shown to speed up healing and help with tissue repair in injured mice, suggesting it could be useful for improving blood flow and healing in people too.
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Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is expressed during embryonic life and in low level during adult life. Consequently, the CEA is recognized by the immune system as a self-antigen and thus CEA-expressing tumors are tolerated. Previously, we constructed a single chain variable fragment using the 6.

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Tumors require blood supply and, to overcome this restriction, induce angiogenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an important role in this process, which explains the great number of antiangiogenic therapies targeting VEGF. The research and development of targeted therapy has led to the approval of bevacizumab, a humanized anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody (mAb), in clinical settings.

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Compelling evidence suggests that fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), overexpressed in melanomas, plays an important role in tumor growth, angiogenesis and metastasis. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic use of a new anti-FGF2 monoclonal antibody (mAb), 3F12E7, using for that the B16-F10 melanoma model. The FGF2 neutralizing effect of this antibody was certified by in vitro assays, which allowed the further track of its possible in vivo application.

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Substantial progress has been made in the development of alternative methods for skin sensitization in the last decade in several countries around the world. Brazil is experiencing an increasing concern about using animals for product development, since the publication of the Law 9605/1998, which prohibits the use of animals when an alternative method is available. In this way, an in vitro test to evaluate allergenic potential is a pressing need.

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Gangliosides have been considered as potential targets for immunotherapy because they are overexpressed on the surface of melanoma cells. However, immunization with purified gangliosides results in a very poor immune response, usually mediated by IgM antibodies. To overcome this limitation, we immunized mice with R24, a monoclonal antibody (mAb) that recognizes the most tumor-restricted ganglioside (GD3); our goal was to obtain anti-idiotype (Id) antibodies bearing the internal image of GD3.

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Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has mostly been tested to treat ischemic diseases, although the outcomes obtained are not satisfactory. Our hypothesis is that the local transient expression of VEGF and stem cell mobilizer granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) genes in ischemic limbs can complement their activities and be more efficient for limb recovery.

Methods: Limb ischemia was surgically induced in mice and 50 microg of VEGF and/or G-CSF genes were locally transferred by electroporation.

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Background: Granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a pleiotropic factor for hematopoiesis that stimulates myeloblasts, monoblasts and mobilization of bone marrow stem cells. Therefore, the GM-CSF gene is a potential candidate for vessel formation and tissue remodeling in the treatment of ischemic diseases.

Methods: A new mouse limb ischemia was established by surgery and gene transfer was performed by injection of 100 microg of a plasmid carrying GM-CSF.

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Aiming to evaluate some parameters to influence the immune response to DNA vaccination, we compare three protocols of DNA immunization (i.m. injections, i.

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Since carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is expressed during embryonic life, it is not immunogenic in humans. The use of anti-idiotypic (Id) antibodies as a surrogate of antigen in the immunization has been considered a promising strategy for breaking tolerance to some tumor associated antigens. We have described an anti-Id monoclonal antibody (MAb), designated 6.

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