Encapsulation of anti-VEGF nanobody into niosome nanoparticles: a novel approach to enhance circulation half life and efficacy.

This study aimed to encapsulate an anti-VEGF nanobody (Nb) within niosome nanoparticles (NNPs) to enhance its circulation half life. Key parameters such as encapsulation efficiency, stability, Nb release, cytotoxicity, and cell migration inhibition in HUVEC cells were evaluated, along with pharmacokinetic studies in mice. Nb-loaded NNPs (Nb-NNPs) were successfully prepared with an encapsulation efficiency of 78.

Expression and purification of SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain in for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Background And Purpose: SARS-CoV-2 causes a severe respiratory disease known as COVID-19 and is responsible for a global viral pandemic. The SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) is located on the spike protein, which identifies and binds to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. The RBD is an important target for developing virus-neutralizing antibodies, vaccines, and inhibitors.

Efficient periplasmic expression of active lysyl endopeptidase and optimizing the purification methods.

Recombinant production of lysyl endopeptidase (Lys-C) which is frequently used in proteomics is still challenging due to its complex structure. Herein, periplasmic expression and determining effective factors for recovery of the active enzyme were investigated. The codon-optimized Lys-C gene was cloned into pET26b (+) for periplasmic expression in E.

Enzyme variants in biosynthesis and biological assessment of different molecular weight hyaluronan.

In the present study, low- and high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acids (LMW-HA and HMW-HA) were synthesized in vitro by truncated Streptococcus equisimilis hyaluronan synthases (SeHAS). The enzyme kinetic parameters were determined for each enzyme variant. The MW, structure, dispersity, and biological activity of polymers were determined by electrophoresis, FTIR spectroscopy, carbazole, cell proliferation, and cell migration assay, respectively.

Specific Targeting of Zinc Transporter LIV-1 with Immunocytokine Containing Anti-LIV-1 VHH and Human IL-2 and Evaluation of its Antitumor Activity.

Background: Interleukin 2 (IL-2) is a vital cytokine in the induction of T and NK cell responses, the proliferation of CD8+ T cells, and the effective treatment of human cancers such as melanoma and renal cell carcinoma. However, widespread use of this cytokine is limited due to its short half-life, severe toxicity, lack of specific tumor targeting, and activation of Treg cells mediated by high-affinity interleukin-2 receptors.

Objective: In this study, a tumor-targeting LIV-1 VHH-mutIL2 immunocytokine with reduced CD25 (α chain of the high-affinity IL-2 receptor) binding activity was developed to improve IL-2 half-life by decreasing its renal infiltration in comparison with wild and mutant IL-2 molecules.

A novel nanobody-based immunocytokine of a mutant interleukin-2 as a potential cancer therapeutic.

The immunotherapeutic application of interleukin-2 (IL-2) in cancer treatment is limited by its off-target effects on different cell populations and insufficient activation of anti-tumor effector cells at the site of the tumor upon tolerated doses. Targeting IL-2 to the tumor microenvironment by generating antibody-cytokine fusion proteins (immunocytokine) would be a promising approach to increase efficacy without associated toxicity. In this study, a novel nanobody-based immunocytokine is developed by the fusion of a mutant (m) IL-2 with a decreased affinity toward CD25 to an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2) specific nanobody, denoted as VGRmIL2-IC.

Signal amplification of a quartz crystal microbalance immunosensor by gold nanoparticles-polyethyleneimine for hepatitis B biomarker detection.

The procedures currently used for hepatitis B (HB) detection are not suitable for screening, clinical diagnosis, and point-of-care testing (POCT). Therefore, we developed and tested a QCM-based immunosensor by surface modification with AuNP-PEIs to amplify the signal and provide an oriented-immobilization surface. The AuNP-PEIs were characterized by ICP-Mass, UV/Vis, DLS, FE-SEM, and ATR-FTIR.

Development of a bivalent protein-based vaccine candidate against invasive pneumococcal diseases based on novel pneumococcal surface protein A in combination with pneumococcal histidine triad protein D.

Extensive efforts have been made toward improving effective strategies for pneumococcal vaccination, focusing on evaluating the potential of multivalent protein-based vaccines and overcoming the limitations of pneumococcal polysaccharide-based vaccines. In this study, we investigated the protective potential of mice co-immunization with the pneumococcal PhtD and novel rPspA proteins against pneumococcal sepsis infection. The formulations of each antigen alone or in combination were administered intraperitoneally with alum adjuvant into BALB/c mice three times at 14-day intervals.

Computational peptide engineering approach for selection of the new C05 antibody-driven peptide with potency to blocking influenza a virus attachment; from to .

Antiviral drugs are currently used to prevent or treat viral infections like influenza A Virus (IAV). Nonetheless, annual genetic mutations of influenza viruses make them resistant to efficient treatment by current medications. Antiviral peptides have recently attracted researchers' attention and can potentially supplant the current medications.

A novel nanocomposite containing zinc ferrite nanoparticles embedded in carboxymethylcellulose hydrogel plus carbon nitride nanosheets with multifunctional bioactivity.

A novel and biologically active nanobiocomposite is synthesized based on carbon nitride nanosheet (g-CN) based carboxymethylcellulose hydrogels with embedded zinc ferrite nanoparticles. Physical-chemical aspects, morphological properties, and their multifunctional biological properties have been considered in the process of evaluation of the synthesized structure. The hydrogels' compressive strength and compressive modulus are 1.

The effect of manipulating glucuronic acid biosynthetic pathway in Bacillus subtilis strain on hyaluronic acid production.

Hyaluronic acid (HA), composed of glucuronic acid (GlcUA) and N-acetyl glucoseamine (GlcNAc), is a versatile biopolymer with high commercial value and innumerous physiological roles and pharmaceutical applications. The hasA gene has main role in HA biosynthesis by Streptococcus strain as a natural producer. The hasB and hasC genes are also mediate GlcUA precursor biosynthesis.

Evaluation of transmembrane domain deletions on hyaluronic acid polymerization of hyaluronan synthase isolated from Streptococcus equisimilis group G.

The membrane enzyme of hyaluronan synthase (HAS) is the key enzyme in hyaluronic acid (HA) biosynthesis by coupling UDP-sugars. Prior studies proposed the C-terminus region of HAS enzyme mediates the production rate and molecular weight of HA. The current study describes the isolation and characterizations of a transmembrane HAS enzyme isolated from Streptococcus equisimilis Group G (GGS-HAS) in vitro.

Magnetic carboxymethyl cellulose-silk fibroin hydrogel: A ternary nanobiocomposite exhibiting excellent biological activity and in vitro hyperthermia of cancer therapy.

In this work, a magnetic nanobiocomposite scaffold based on carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) hydrogel, silk fibroin (SF), and magnetite nanoparticles was fabricated. The structural properties of this new magnetic nanobiocomposite were characterized by various analyses such as FT-IR, XRD, EDX, FE-SEM, TGA and VSM. According to the particle size histogram, most of the particles were between 55 and 77 nm and the value of saturation magnetization of this nanobiocomposite was reported 41.

Synthesis and characterization of Gd-loaded hyaluronic acid-polydopamine nanoparticles as a dual contrast agent for CT and MRI scans.

Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography (CT) suffer from low contrast sensitivity and potential toxicity of contrast agents. To overcome these limitations, we developed and tested a new class of dual contrast agents based on polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA-NPs) that are functionalized and targeted with hyaluronic acid (HA). These nanoparticles (NPs) are chelated with Gd to provide suitable contrast.

Discovery of potential FGFR3 inhibitors via QSAR, pharmacophore modeling, virtual screening and molecular docking studies against bladder cancer.

Background: Fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 is known as a favorable aim in vast range of cancers, particularly in bladder cancer treatment. Pharmacophore and QSAR modeling approaches are broadly utilized for developing novel compounds for the determination of inhibitory activity versus the biological target. In this study, these methods employed to identify FGFR3 potential inhibitors.

In-silico design and evaluation of an epitope-based serotype-independent promising vaccine candidate for highly cross-reactive regions of pneumococcal surface protein A.

Background: The pathogenicity of pneumococcus with high morbidity, mortality, and multi-drug resistance patterns has been increasing. The limited coverage of the licensed polysaccharide-based vaccines and the replacement of the non-vaccine serotypes are the main reasons for producing a successful serotype-independent vaccine. Pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) is an extremely important virulence factor and an interesting candidate for conserved protein-based pneumococcal vaccine classified into two prominent families containing five clades.

Development of Streptococcus equisimilis Group G Mutant Strains with Ability to Produce Low Polydisperse and Low-Molecular-Weight Hyaluronic Acid.

Background: Background: Hyaluronic acid (HA), a natural polymer with wide applications in biomedicine and cosmetics, is mainly produced by Streptococcal fermentation at industrial scale. In the present study, chemical random mutagenesis was used for development of Streptococcus equisimilis group G mutant strains with high HA productivity.

Methods: Methods: The optimum of the pH of culture condition and cultivation time for HA production by wild strain group G were assessed.

A quartz crystal microbalance biosensor based on polyethylenimine-modified gold electrode to detect hepatitis B biomarker.

Biomarkers-based QCM-biosensors are suitable tools for the label-free detection of infectious diseases. In the current study, a QCM-biosensor was developed for the detection of HBsAg. Briefly, anti-HBsAg antibodies were covalently bound to the primary amines after PEI and thiolated-PEI surface modifications of gold-electrode.

A novel magnetic nanocomposite based on alginate-tannic acid hydrogel embedded with silk fibroin with biological activity and hyperthermia application.

In the current study, sodium alginate (SA) and tannic acid (TA), in the presence of calcium chloride as a cross-linker, were used to fabricate a nanocomposite scaffold. With the addition of silk fibroin (SF), the strength of the synthesized composite was increased. FeO magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) led to the usage of this magnetic nanocomposite in hyperthermia applications.

A comprehensive review on the applications of carbon-based nanostructures in wound healing: from antibacterial aspects to cell growth stimulation.

A wound is defined as damage to the integrity of biological tissue, including skin, mucous membranes, and organ tissues. The treatment of these injuries is an important challenge for medical researchers. Various materials have been used for wound healing and dressing applications among which carbon nanomaterials have attracted significant attention due to their remarkable properties.

Identification of a novel fully human anti-toxic shock syndrome toxin (TSST)-1 single-chain variable fragment antibody averting TSST-1-induced mitogenesis and cytokine secretion.

Background: Staphylococcal superantigens are virulence factors that help the pathogen escape the immune system and develop an infection. Toxic shock syndrome toxin (TSST)-1 is one of the most studied superantigens whose role in toxic shock syndrome and some particular disorders have been demonstrated. Inhibiting TSST-1 production with antibiotics and targeting TSST-1 with monoclonal antibodies might be one of the best strategies to prevent TSST-1-induced cytokines storm followed by lethality.

In Vitro and In Vivo Studies of a Heminecrolysin Toxin-VEGF Fusion Protein as a Novel Therapeutic for Solid Tumor Targeting.

Angiogenesis, the formation of new vessels, is a critical step in the malignancy progression of solid tumors. Many investigations have demonstrated the usefulness of immunotoxins to halt angiogenesis in solid tumors. Pharmaceutically, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) can deliver coupled toxins to the tumor vessels through VEGF Receptors.