A single prion protein peptide can elicit a panel of isoform specific monoclonal antibodies.

The main step in the pathogenesis of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) is the conformational change of the normal cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) into the abnormal isoform, named prion (PrP(Sc)). Since PrP is a highly conserved protein, the production of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) of high specificity and affinity to PrP is a difficult task. In the present study we show that it is possible to overcome the unresponsiveness of the immune system by immunizing wild-type BALB/c mice with a 13 amino acid PrP peptide from the C-terminal part of PrP, bound to the keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH).

Monoclonal antibody against a peptide of human prion protein discriminates between Creutzfeldt-Jacob's disease-affected and normal brain tissue.

Current methods for diagnosing transmissible spongiform encephalopathies rely on the degradation of the cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) and the subsequent detection of the protease-resistant remnant of the pathological prion isoform PrP(Sc) by antibodies that react with all forms of PrP. We report on a monoclonal antibody, V5B2, raised against a peptide from the C-terminal part of PrP, which recognizes an epitope specific to PrP(Sc). In cryostat sections from Creutzfeldt-Jacob's disease (CJD) patients' brains, V5B2 selectively labels various deposits of PrP(Sc) without any pretreatment for removal of PrP(C).

Weak D and partial D in Slovenian population through serology and genotyping.

Weak D red cell phenotype (formerly D) exhibits weaker serological reaction with anti-D antibodies. Weak D occurs in 0.2% to 1% of whites and is caused by qualitatively altered RhD proteins called partial D or normal, only weakly expressed RhD proteins that are called weak D.

Soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor I (sTNFRI) as a prognostic factor in melanoma patients in Slovene population.

Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and its receptors (TNFRI and TNFRII) which exist in soluble form as a product of cleavage of the extracellular domain of membrane integrated receptors, still rise debate about their importance. It was reported that TNF-α has numerous actions in diseases such as inflammation, autoimmunity, infectious diseases, septic shock and many types of cancer [1, 2]. Several authors have reported the significance of sTNFRI level in serum of cancer patients [3, 4].