Glycopeptide dendrimers. Part I.

Glycopeptide dendrimers are branched structures containing both carbohydrates and peptides. Various classes of these compounds differing in composition and structure are mentioned, together with their practical use spanning from catalysis, transport vehicles to synthetic vaccines. The main stress is given to glycopeptide dendrimers, namely multiple antigen glycopeptides (MAGs). In MAGs, the core, branches or both are composed of amino acids or peptides. Other classes of glycodendrimers (PAMAM, polypropylene imine, cyclodextrin, calixarene, etc.) are mentioned too, but to a smaller extent. Their syntheses, physicochemical properties and biological activities are given with many examples. Glycopeptide dendrimers can be used as inhibitors of cell surface protein-carbohydrate interactions, intervention with bacterial adhesion, for studying of recognition processes, diagnostics, imaging and contrast agents, mimetics, for complexation of different cationts, as site-specific molecular delivery systems, for therapeutic purposes, as immunodiagnostics and in drug design. Biomedical applications of glycopeptide dendrimers as drug and gene delivery systems are also given.     

Glycopeptide dendrimers. Part II.

Glycopeptide dendrimers are regularly branched structures containing both carbohydrates and peptides. Various types of these compounds differing in composition and structure are mentioned, together with their practical use spanning from catalysis, transport vehicles to synthetic vaccines. This Part II (for Part I see JeZek J, et al., J. Pept. Sci. 2008; 14: 2-43) covers linear oligomers with variable valency (brush dendrimers, comb dendrimers), sequential oligopeptide carriers SOCn-I and SOCn-II, chitosan-based dendrimers, and brush dendrimers. Other types of glycopeptide dendrimers are self-immolative dendrimers (cascade release dendrimers, domino dendrimers), dendrimers containing omega-amino acids (Gly, beta-Ala, gamma-Abu and epsilon-aminohexanoic acid), etc. Microwave-assisted synthesis of dendrimers and libraries of glycopeptides and glycopeptide dendrimers are also included. Characterization of dendrimers by electromigration methods, mass spectrometry, and time-resolved and nonlinear optical spectroscopy, etc. plays an important role in purity assessment and structure characterization. Physicochemical properties of dendrimers including chirality are given. Stability of dendrimers, their biocompatibility and toxicity are reviewed. Finally, biomedical applications of dendrimers including imaging agents (contrast agents), site-specific drug delivery systems, artificial viruses, synthetic antibacterial, antiviral, and anticancer vaccines, inhibitors of cell surface protein-carbohydrate interactions, intervention with bacterial adhesion, etc. are given. Glycopeptide dendrimers were used also for studying recognition processes, as diagnostics and mimetics, for complexation of different cations, for therapeutic purposes, as immunodiagnostics, and in drug design.     

Bone marrow transplantation. Part II--autologous.

Autologous bone marrow transplantation provides an effective form of "rescue" following high-dose therapy used for treating certain malignant diseases. The high doses of radiotherapy or chemotherapy, or both, should allow for greater tumor cell kill if dose-response to therapy exists for that tumor. The use of autologous bone marrow obviates the need for an HLA-identical donor, and the need for pretransplant immunosuppression; no graft-versus-host disease would ensue. We review in part II the history and background, methods of obtaining autologous stem cells, and details of the results achievable with this type of therapy. We discuss potential difficulties with autologous transplantation, as well as possible future areas of research.     

Bone marrow transplantation. Part I--Allogeneic.

Major progress in experimental and clinical research has made allogeneic bone marrow transplantation a highly effective therapy for a variety of malignant and nonmalignant diseases. Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation from histocompatible donors is now the therapy of choice for some of these disorders. We review in part I the history, technical approach, complications, and the results achievable with this therapeutic approach. Further experimentation and future goals are also discussed.     

Anti-aggregatory prostanoids. Part I

Properties of several products of cyclo-oxygenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids: prostacyclin, prostaglandins 6-keto E1, E2, D2, D3 are reviewed in relation to their antiplatelet activity.     

Anti-aggregatory prostanoids. Part II

The mechanism of antiplatelet potency of prostanoids and pharmacological methods that regulate their endogenous release are discussed. In addition the role of antiaggregatory prostanoids in atherosclerosis and some clinical trials with prostanoids are reviewed.