Ultrasensitive Quantification of MUC16 Antigen/Amine-Terminated Aptamer Interaction by Surface Plasmon Resonance: Kinetic and Thermodynamic Studies.

Purpose: MUC16 is a commonly employed biomarker to identify and predict ovarian cancer (OC). Precise measurement of MUC16 levels is essential for the accurate diagnosis, prediction, and management of OC. This research seeks to introduce a new surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor design that utilizes aptamer-based technology to enable the sensitive and real-time detection of MUC16.

Surface Modification of Dentin Powder With Alginate and Evaluation of Its Effects on the Viability and Proliferation of Dental Pulp Stem Cells (In Vitro), Its Biocompatibility (In Vivo).

Introduction: This study aimed to synthesize dentin powder surface modified with alginate, a potential substance for dental pulp regeneration, and evaluate its effects on the viability and proliferation of human dental pulp stem cells in vitro and its biocompatibility in vivo.

Methods: In the in vitro phase, dentin powder was synthesized in 3 size groups (150-250 μm, 250-500 μm, and 500-1000 μm) after demineralization and atelopeptidization which is used to remove dentin collagen telopeptides and eliminate host immune response. Surface modification with alginate was performed and followed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and cell viability and proliferation testing for 14 days with human dental pulp stem cells studied.

Functional characterization of the dimeric form of PDGF-derived fusion peptide fabricated based on theoretical arguments.

A skin wound leads to the loss of skin integrity and the influx of pathogens into the tissue. Platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs) are cytokines released from alpha granules during wound healing and interact with their cell surface receptors and activate signals involved in chemotaxis, growth, proliferation, and differentiation pathways. Due to the low stability of growth factors (GFs), a new peptide-derived PDGF-BB was designed, expressed in the Shuffle strain of E.

Additive manufacture of PLLA scaffolds reinforced with graphene oxide nano-particles via digital light processing (DLP).

In this study, 3D printing of poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA) scaffolds reinforced with graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles via Digital Light Processing (DLP) was investigated to mimic bone tissue. Stereolithography is one of the most accurate additive manufacturing methods, but the dominant available materials used in this method are toxic. In this research, a biocompatible resin (PLLA) was synthetized and functionalized to serve the purpose.

Drug repositioning based on gene expression data for human HER2-positive breast cancer.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer represents approximately 15-30% of all invasive breast cancers. Despite the recent advances in therapeutic practices of HER2 subtype, drug resistance and tumor recurrence still have remained as major problems. Drug discovery is a long and difficult process, so the aim of this study is to find potential new application for existing therapeutic agents.

Efficacy assessment of a triple anthrax chimeric antigen as a vaccine candidate in guinea pigs: challenge test with 17 JB strain spores.

Context: secretes a tripartite toxin comprising protective antigen (PA), edema factor (EF), and lethal factor (LF). The human anthrax vaccine is mainly composed of the anthrax protective antigen (PA). Considerable efforts are being directed towards improving the efficacy of vaccines because the use of commercial anthrax vaccines (human/veterinary) is associated with several limitations.

Development of a phage display-mediated immunoassay for the detection of vascular endothelial growth factor.

Because of the critical role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in angiogenesis and its significantly increased serum levels in early stages of cancer, VEGF is considered an important prognostic biomarker in different cancers. Herein, the amplification power of PCR combined with phage displaying anti-VEGF VHH, a sensitive real-time immunoassay, was precisely designed based on phage display-mediated immuno-PCR (PD-IPCR) for the detection of VEGF. This system benefits from strong and specific binding of antigen and antibody in a sandwich immunosorbent assay platform using avastin (anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody) as the capture antibody.

Comparative study of impact of animal source on physical, structural, and biological properties of bone xenograft.

Background: Due to the unique features of xenografts including large supply from donors, minimal risk of human disease transmission, and the lower cost of preparation and production compared to autografts and allografts, they are considered as attractive alternatives to traditional bone grafts. The animal source accessibility and production process have a direct correlation with the cost and quality of the final product. To evaluate whether the animal source of the bone has any effect on the physicochemical and histological properties of the final xenograft, three deproteinized bone grafts were prepared from sources that are easily available in Iran, including the bovine (DBB), camel (DCB), and ostrich (DOB).

A multifunctional fusion peptide for tethering to hydroxyapatite and selective capture of bone morphogenetic protein from extracellular milieu.

Purpose: The present study sought to design a multi-functional fusion peptide with hydroxyapatite (HA) binding domain (HABD) and heparin binding domain (HBD).

Methods: The 74 amino acid fusion peptide contained N-terminus of the fibrinogen β chain (β 15-66), double G4S-linker and 12 residues with HA affinity. This construct was designed, synthesized and cloned into pET21a(+) vector and expressed in E.

Potential of Treated Dentin Matrix Xenograft for Dentin-Pulp Tissue Engineering.

Introduction: This study aims to develop and characterize the regenerative potential of an atelopeptidized treated dentin matrix xenograft using in vitro and in vivo models.

Methods: Freshly extracted bovine dentin was pulverized into 250- to 500-μm particles and demineralized with 17% EDTA for 1, 7, and 13 days. The samples were atelopeptidized with pepsin.

Platelet-rich fibrin suppresses in vitro osteoclastogenesis.

Background: Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) membranes can preserve alveolar ridge dimension after tooth extraction. Thus, it can be presumed that PRF suppresses the catabolic events that are caused by osteoclastic bone resorption.

Methods: To address this possibility, we investigated the impact of soluble extracts of PRF membranes on in vitro osteoclastogenesis in murine bone marrow cultures.

Platelet-rich fibrin elicits an anti-inflammatory response in macrophages in vitro.

Background: Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) serves as a reservoir of bioactive molecules to support wound healing and bone regeneration. The beneficial action of PRF might involve macrophage polarization from proinflammatory M1 toward pro-resolving M2 phenotypes. This study aims to evaluate the effect of PRF on macrophage polarization.

A new triple chimeric protein as a high immunogenic antigen against anthrax toxins: theoretical and experimental analyses.

: Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by and it can be deadly in 6 days. Considerable efforts have been conducted toward developing more effective veterinary and human anthrax vaccines because these common vaccines have several limitations. secretes a tripartite toxin, comprising protective antigen (PA), edema factor (EF), and lethal factor (LF).

Rapid screening of drug candidates against EGFR/HER2 signaling pathway using fluorescence assay.

Over the recent decade, the calcium-based assays have gained much popularity in order to discover new drugs. Since breast cancer is the second cause of death in the female population, rapid and effective methods are needed to screen drug compounds with fewer side effects. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) increases intracellular free Ca on its signaling pathways.

Exploring single-domain antibody thermostability by molecular dynamics simulation.

Single-domain antibodies also known as nanobodies are recombinant antigen-binding domains that correspond to the heavy-chain variable region of camelid antibodies. Previous experimental studies showed that the nanobodies have stable and active structures at high temperatures. In this study, the thermal stability and dynamics of nanobodies have been studied by employing molecular dynamics simulation at different temperatures.

Generation and screening of efficient neutralizing single domain antibodies (VHHs) against the critical functional domain of anthrax protective antigen (PA).

Since anthrax is an acute infectious disease, detection and neutralization of the toxins of pathogenic Bacillus anthracis are of great importance. The critical role of protective antigen (PA) component of tripartite anthrax toxin in toxin entry into the host cell cytosol provided a great deal of effort to generate monoclonal antibodies against this constitute. Regarding the importance of anthrax detection/neutralization and unique physicochemical and pharmacological features of VHHs as single domain antibodies, the present study aimed to generate VHHs against the receptor binding domain of PA, termed PAD4.

Zein nanoparticle as a novel BMP6 derived peptide carrier for enhanced osteogenic differentiation of C2C12 cells.

Zein nanoparticles as a carrier system for BMP6-derived peptide were prepared by liquid-liquid phase separation procedure and characterized with SEM, DLS, FTIR and thermogravimetric methods. After peptide encapsulation, nanoparticle size increased from 236.3 ± 92.

Co-expression of alpha-1 antitrypsin with cytoplasmic domain of v-SNARE in Pichia pastoris: Preserving biological activity of alpha-1 antitrypsin.

Alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1AT) is a major serum protein in human with protease inhibitory activity. Because of its extensive application in medicine, recombinant DNA technology has been considered for its production. The current study examines coexpression of A1AT and soluble domain of v-SNARE in Pichia pastoris, which can prevent the secretion of A1AT after thoroughly passing the secretory pathway.

A conformation-based phage-display panning to screen neutralizing anti-VEGF VHHs with VEGFR2 mimicry behavior.

The potency of VEGF-based anti-angiogenic strategies in cancer therapy and the brilliant characteristics of VHHs motivated us to directly block VEGF binding to its receptor with neutralizing single domain antibodies, thereby fading away the VEGF signaling pathway. Considering with high resolution crystal structure of VEGF-RBD/VEGFR2 complex, we could adopt a combinatorial screening strategy: stringent panning and competition ELISA, to direct the panning procedure to dominantly screen the favorable binders that bind and block the key functional regions of VEGF. Based on competition assay, the majority of the screened clones (82%) showed the VEGFR2 mimicry behavior for binding to VEGF molecule.

The investigation of epsilon toxin effects on different cancerous cell lines and its synergism effect with methotrexate.

Background: The overall goal of this study is to use a bacterial toxin as drug delivery agents for chemotherapy drugs and overcome the development of resistance to these medicines. COR-L105 and MDA-MB 231 which are epithelial-like were used in this study. Cytotoxicity assays were performed by 3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) as metabolic indicator.

A PLGA-encapsulated chimeric protein protects against adherence and toxicity of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli.

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) are the most common cause of diarrhea among children. Colonization factors and enterotoxins are the major ETEC candidate vaccines. Since protection against ETEC mostly occurs by induction of IgA antibodies, much effort is focused on the development of oral vaccines.

The design of a new truncated and engineered alpha1-antitrypsin based on theoretical studies: an antiprotease therapeutics for pulmonary diseases.

Alpha 1- antitrypsin (α1AT) a 54 kDa glycoprotein is a protease inhibitor. In the absence of α1AT, elastase released by lung macrophages, was not inhibited and lead to elastin breakdown and pulmonary problems such as emphysema or COPD. α1AT has three site of N-glycosylation and a characteristic reactive central loop (RCL).

Encapsulation of alpha-1 antitrypsin in PLGA nanoparticles: in vitro characterization as an effective aerosol formulation in pulmonary diseases.

Background: Alpha 1-antitrypsin (α1AT) belongs to the superfamily of serpins and inhibits different proteases. α1AT protects the lung from cellular inflammatory enzymes. In the absence of α1AT, the degradation of lung tissue results to pulmonary complications.

The construction of chimeric T-Cell receptor with spacer base of modeling study of VHH and MUC1 interaction.

Adaptive cell immunotherapy with the use of chimeric receptors leads to the best and most specific response against tumors. Chimeric receptors consist of a signaling fragment, extracellular spacer, costimulating domain, and an antibody. Antibodies cause immunogenicity; therefore, VHH is a good replacement for ScFv in chimeric receptors.