[IgA nephropathy - research-generated questions].

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common type of glomerulonephritis. Its etiology involves an increased production of polymeric immunoglobulin A1 with an abnormal composition of some carbohydrate chains. The reaction of these abnormal forms of IgA1 with specific autoantibodies while circulating immune complexes arise and settle in the renal mesangium with subsequent inflammatory activation of mesangial cells which in up to 50% of cases results in end-stage kidney failure.

[IgA Nephropathy. Facts, uncertainties, and potential causal therapy approaches].

IgA nephropathy is currently the most frequently investigated glomerulonephritis. The disease is defined by the presence of dominant or co-dominant deposits of IgA1 in the glomerular mesangium. Circulating immune complexes are most likely the source of the deposited IgA1.

Molecular adjuvants based on nonpyrogenic lipophilic derivatives of norAbuMDP/GMDP formulated in nanoliposomes: stimulation of innate and adaptive immunity.

Purpose: The aim of this work was to demonstrate an immunostimulatory and adjuvant effect of new apyrogenic lipophilic derivatives of norAbuMDP and norAbuGMDP formulated in nanoliposomes.

Methods: Nanoliposomes and metallochelating nanoliposomes were prepared by lipid film hydration and extrusion methods. The structure of the liposomal formulation was studied by electron microscopy, AF microscopy, and dynamic light scattering.

Enhancement of immune response towards non-lipidized Borrelia burgdorferi recombinant OspC antigen by binding onto the surface of metallochelating nanoliposomes with entrapped lipophilic derivatives of norAbuMDP.

Lyme disease caused by spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, is a tick-born illness. If the infection is not eliminated by the host immune system and/or antibiotics, it may further disseminate and cause severe chronic complications. The immune response to Borrelia is mediated by phagocytic cells and by Borrelia-specific complement-activating antibodies associated with Th1 cell activation.

Production of N-acetylgalactosaminyl-transferase 2 (GalNAc-T2) fused with secretory signal Igκ in insect cells.

The human UDP-N-acetyl-α-d-galactosamine:polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyl-transferase 2 (GalNAc-T2) is one of the key enzymes that initiate synthesis of hinge-region O-linked glycans of human immunoglobulin A1 (IgA1). We designed secreted soluble form of human GalNAc-T2 as a fusion protein containing mouse immunoglobulin light chain kappa secretory signal and expressed it using baculovirus and mammalian expression vectors. The recombinant protein was secreted by insect cells Sf9 and human HEK 293T cells in the culture medium.

Metallochelating liposomes with associated lipophilised norAbuMDP as biocompatible platform for construction of vaccines with recombinant His-tagged antigens: preparation, structural study and immune response towards rHsp90.

Hsp90-CA is present in cell wall of Candida pseudohyphae or hyphae-typical pathogenic morphotype for both systemic and mucosal Candida infections. Heat shock protein from Candida albicans (hsp90-CA) is an important target for protective antibodies during disseminated candidiasis of experimental mice and human. His-tagged protein rHsp90 was prepared and used as the antigen for preparation of experimental recombinant liposomal vaccine.

Isolation of recombinant cysteine dioxygenase protein from Trichophyton mentagrophytes.

Cysteine dioxygenase (CDO, EC 1.13.11.

Novel modification of growth medium enables efficient E. coli expression and simple purification of an endotoxin-free recombinant murine hsp70 protein.

Heat shock protein 70 kDa (hsp70), a molecular chaperone involved in folding of nascent proteins, has been studied for its ability to activate innate and specific immunity. High purity hsp70 preparation is generally required for immunization experiments, because endotoxins and other immunologically active contaminants may affect immune responses independently of hsp70. We have developed a novel modification of E.

Systemic and mucosal immunization with Candida albicans hsp90 elicits hsp90-specific humoral response in vaginal mucosa which is further enhanced during experimental vaginal candidiasis.

The Candida albicans heat shock protein 90 kDa (hsp90-CA) is an important target for protective antibodies in disseminated candidiasis of experimental mice and humans. Hsp90-CA is present in the cell wall of Candida pseudohyphae or hyphae--typical pathogenic morphotypes in both mucosal and systemic Candida infections. However, the potential protective effects of hsp90-CA-specific antibodies in vaginal candidiasis has not yet been reported.

Biological aspects of Lyme disease spirochetes: unique bacteria of the Borrelia burgdorferi species group.

Background: Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato is a group of at least twelve closely related species some of which are responsible for Lyme disease, the most frequent zoonosis in Europe and the USA. Many of the biological features of Borrelia are unique in prokaryotes and very interesting not only from the medical viewpoint but also from the view of molecular biology.

Methods: Relevant recent articles were searched using PubMed and Google search tools.

DNA vaccines: are they still just a powerful tool for the future?

Vaccination is historically one of the most successful strategies for the prevention of infectious diseases. For safety reasons, modern vaccinology tends toward the usage of inactivated or attenuated microorganisms and uses predominantly subunit vaccines. The antigens need to be clearly defined, pure, stable, appropriately composed, and properly presented to the immune system of the host.