Dynamics of scFv-targeted VAP2 correlating with IL-16, MIF and IL-1Ra in ANCA-associated vasculitis.

Background And Hypothesis: Using a mouse model of MPA with microvascular lesion with a clone (VasSF) of recombinant single chain fragments of the variable region of human IgG, we previously showed that vasculitis-associated apolipoprotein A2 (VAP2) may be a therapeutic target for vasculitis. The present study estimated the target molecules for VasSF and the association between VAP2 and cytokine levels in patient sera in terms of microvascular lesion severity.

Methods: Sera and clinical information were collected from patients with microscopic polyangiitis and granulomatosis with polyangiitis (MPA/GPA) and infectious disease.

Enhanced efficacy of the novel recombinant clone VasSF in a mouse model of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis.

Based on the efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) for the treatment of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV), we developed a recombinant single-chain-fragment variable clone, VasSF, therapeutic against AAV in a mouse model (SCG/Kj mice). VasSF is thought to bind to vasculitis-associated apolipoprotein A-II (APOA2) as a target molecule. VasSF is a promising new drug against AAV, but difficulties in the yield and purification of VasSF remain unresolved.

Beneficial effects of anti-apolipoprotein A-2 on an animal model for coronary arteritis in Kawasaki disease.

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) is usually treated with high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) as severe infectious and other diseases. Due to issues that are associated with immunoglobulin preparation, such as the risk of possible contamination by infectious agents and limited blood banking resources, recombinant immunoglobulins are required. We developed a novel recombinant antibody drug candidate, "VasSF," based on the therapeutic effects it exerted on a mouse spontaneous crescentic glomerulonephritis model (SCG/Kj).

Efficacy of a recombinant single-chain fragment variable region, VasSF, as a new drug for vasculitis.

Background: Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA) associated vasculitis is a pauci-immune disease with the inflammation of the small blood vessels. The efficacies of antibody drugs for induction therapies of vasculitis vary among cases. Here, we developed a novel clone of a single chain Fv region (ScFv) with vasculitis-specific therapeutic potential.

The Rare Disease Bank of Japan: establishment, current status and future challenges.

Research on rare diseases cannot be performed without appropriate samples from patients with such diseases. Due to the limited number of such patients, securing biosamples of sufficient quality for extensive research is a challenge and represents an important barrier to the advancement of research on rare diseases. To tackle this problem, the Rare Disease Bank (RDB) was established in 2009 at the National Institute of Biomedical Innovation (NIBIO; currently, the National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition in Japan).

The human vascular endothelial cell line HUV-EC-C harbors the integrated HHV-6B genome which remains stable in long term culture.

Human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6) is a common human pathogen that is most often detected in hematopoietic cells. Although human cells harboring chromosomally integrated HHV-6 can be generated in vitro, the availability of such cell lines originating from in vivo tissues is limited. In this study, chromosomally integrated HHV-6B has been identified in a human vascular endothelial cell line, HUV-EC-C (IFO50271), derived from normal umbilical cord tissue.

Development and evaluation of immunochromatography to detect Gram-negative bacteria producing ArmA 16S rRNA methylase responsible for aminoglycoside resistance.

Rapid and reliable detection of aminoglycoside-resistant bacteria is an important infection-control measure and a crucial aspect of antimicrobial chemotherapy. The enzyme 16S rRNA methylase has been shown to mediate aminoglycoside resistance in bacteria. This study describes a newly developed immunochromatographic assay using novel monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that recognize ArmA 16S rRNA methylase.