Computational Design and Analysis of a Poly-Epitope Fusion Protein: A New Vaccine Candidate for Hepatitis and Poliovirus

International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics - Infections with HCV, HBV and poliovirus are still considered to be substantial global health burdens. Vaccination is one of the most...     

Immunization with M2e-Displaying T7 Bacteriophage Nanoparticles Protects against Influenza A Virus Challenge

Considering the emergence of highly pathogenic influenza viruses and threat of worldwide pandemics, there is an urgent need to develop broadly-protective influenza vaccines. In this study, we demonstrate the potential of T7 bacteriophage-based nanoparticles with genetically fused ectodomain of influenza A virus M2 protein (T7-M2e) as a candidate universal flu vaccine. Immunization of mice with non-adjuvanted T7-M2e elicited M2e-specific serum antibody responses that were similar in magnitude to those elicited by M2e peptide administered in Freund’s adjuvant. Comparable IgG responses directed against T7 phage capsomers were induced following vaccination with wild type T7 or T7-M2e. T7-M2e immunization induced balanced amounts of IgG₁ and IgG_2a antibodies and these antibodies specifically recognized native M2 on the surface of influenza A virus-infected mammalian cells. The frequency of IFN-γ-secreting T cells induced by T7-M2e nanoparticles was comparable to those elicited by M2e peptide emulsified in Freund’s adjuvant. Emulsification of T7-M2e nanoparticles in Freund’s adjuvant, however, induced a significantly stronger T cell response. Furthermore, T7-M2e-immunized mice were protected against lethal challenge with an H1N1 or an H3N2 virus, implying the induction of hetero-subtypic immunity in our mouse model. T7-M2e-immunized mice displayed considerable weight loss and had significantly reduced viral load in their lungs compared to controls. We conclude that display of M2e on the surface of T7 phage nanoparticles offers an efficient and economical opportunity to induce cross-protective M2e-based immunity against influenza A.     

Improving the accumulation of recombinant human serum albumin (HSA) in transgenic tobacco plants by fusion with the N-terminal proline-rich domain of γ-zein (Zera)

In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology - Plant - Plants have long played a major role in human health as a source of herbal remedies. Recently, transgenic plants have become convenient...     

Identification of antigens from nosocomial <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acinetobacter baumannii</Emphasis> clinical isolates in sera from ICU staff and infected patients using the antigenome technique

Nosocomial infections with a bacterial origin are considered one of the most dangerous threats to global health. Among the causes of these infections, Acinetobacter baumannii is playing a significant role, and the present study aimed? to determine the immunogenic proteins of this bacteria. Clinical isolates of A. baumannii were obtained from positive sputum cultures of intensive care unit (ICU) patients confirmed by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the OXA-51 gene, and sera was obtained from 20 colonized patients. In addition, 20 and 30 serum samples were collected from ICU nurses and healthy controls, respectively. All the samples were screened in the presence of antibodies against A. baumannii by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). IgG purified from the serum samples by affinity chromatography was used to isolate the bacteria by the Magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) procedure. After the bacteria were cultured, the identified antigen proteins were studied by western blotting and Mass spectrometry (MS). The MS results were analyzed with MASCOT software and revealed a 35 KD protein, which corresponds to outer membrane protein A (OmpA) of A. baumannii, a 25 KD band, which is a carbapenem-associated resistance protein precursor, and a 60 KD protein band, identified as a stress-induced bacterial acidophilic repeat motif protein. According to the properties of immunogen antigens and bio informatics tools, the outer membrane proteins (OMPs) can be used as a vaccine candidate in animal models.     

Tumor-derived exosomal microRNAs and proteins as modulators of macrophage function

Tumor cells are able to modify their surrounding microenvironment by transmitting bioactive molecules via exosomes. In exosomes, proteins and nucleic acids that can be taken up by surrounding cells have been identified and modulate their functions. Tumor microenvironment consists of different cells such as macrophages. Tumors-associated macrophages (TAMs) express M2 phenotype and affect many processes including tumor initiation, angiogenesis, and metastasis. It has been demonstrated that a high number of TAMs is associated with poor prognosis of cancers. The contents of tumor-derived exosomes such as microRNAs and proteins induce macrophages to M2-like polarization to support tumor growth. Herein, we review the most recent studies on the effect of tumor-derived exosomes on macrophage polarization and function in different types of cancers.     

Determination of haptoglobin genotype in an Iranian population with idiopathic generalized epilepsy

Background:

Haptoglobin (Hp) is a plasma α₂-sialoglycoprotein that contains alpha and beta chains. It displays in three common phenotypes, Hp1-1, Hp2-1, and Hp2-2. Proteins expressed by polymorphic genes have grossly different molecular sizes resulting in different diffusion rates in the brain. Haptoglobin expressed by the Hp2-2 genotype has lower hemoglobin-binding capacity than Hp1-1 or Hp2-1 and is associated with idiopathic generalized epilepsy.

Methods:

To determine polymorphism in haptoglobin genes in patients with idiopathic generalized tonic-clonic seizures, 42 men, 42 women, and 50 controls were selected for this study. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood and studied by polymerase chain reactions (PCR).

Results:

The amplified fragments for the Hp1-1 and Hp2-2 genotypes were 1757 and 3481 base pairs (bp) respectively, and the Hp2-1 genotype had both fragments, in addition to a 349-bp fragment. The distribution of the three major Hp phenotypes in epilepsy patients was 28.6 (1-1), 38.1 (2-1), and 33.3% (2-2) in the men, and 31 (1-1), 40.5 (2-1), and 28.6% (2-2) in the women. The distribution of Hp genotypes in controls was 22 (1-1), 40 (2-1), and 38% (2-2).

Conclusion:

We show that all Hp genotypes participate in idiopathic generalized epilepsy.Key Words: Epilepsy, Haptoglobin, Iran     

Expression,Purification, and Evaluation of Anti-IL-2Rα Antibody Secreted by Leishmania tarentolae

International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics - Producing a functional anti-IL-2Rα antibody in Leishmania tarentolae, a trypanosomatid protozoan non-pathogenic to human, is a...     

Overview of CD24 as a new molecular marker in ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death among women. The high mortality rate is due to lack of early symptoms, late diagnosis, limited treatment options, and also emerging of drug resistance. Todays, molecular markers have become promising in tumor-targeted therapy. Several molecular markers have been known in OC immunotherapy. Identification of the specific molecular markers with prognostic significance is interested. CD24 is a small sialoglycoprotein which is localized in lipid rafts through its glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. It has been reported that CD24 is overexpressed in many cancers including OC. Also, CD24 is identified as a cancer stem cell marker in OC. The CD24 expression is associated with the development, invasion, and metastasis of cancer cells. The exact role of CD24 in cancer cells is not clearly understood. Recently, CD24 has been identified as an independent prognostic marker of survival in patients with OC. In this study, we reviewed the molecular targets in OC immune-targeted therapy and also presented an overview of the new molecular marker CD24 and its association with the OC by reviewing the recent literature.