Diagnostic and therapeutic use of human anti-D (Rho) monoclonal antibodies. Evaluation and perspectives

Human monoclonal antibodies will be essential in medicine. They are valuable tools for biological diagnosis and therapeutics. Our model, human monoclonal antibodies directed against the Rhesus D antigen can be used for the determination of the Rhesus D phenotype and for the suppression of Rh(D) immunisation in women. These new products require new procedures of preparation, new regulations for the quality controls, which will be discussed in this paper.     

Seasonal variation in the invertebrate community and diet of a top fish predator in a thermally stable spring

Hydrobiologia - Many life-history events in aquatic invertebrates are triggered by seasonal changes in water temperature, but other ecological factors may be important as well. To rule out the...     

Cloning and expression of an anti-LDL(-) single-chain variable fragment,and its inhibitory effect on experimental atherosclerosis

The in vivo modified forms of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) are important for the formation of foam cells and as mediators of the immuno-inflammatory process involved in the progression of atherosclerosis. Electronegative LDL, LDL(-), is a LDL subfraction with pro-inflammatory properties that is present in human blood. To investigate possible atheroprotective effects, an anti-LDL(-) single-chain variable fragment (scFv) was expressed in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris and its activity was evaluated in vitro against macrophages and in experimental atherosclerosis in Ldlr^-/- mice. The recombinant 2C7 scFv was produced in a yield of 9.5 mg of protein/L. The specificity and affinity of purified 2C7 scFv against LDL(-) was confirmed by ELISA. To assess the activity of 2C7 scFv on foam cell formation, RAW 264.7 macrophages were exposed to LDL(-) in the presence or absence of 2C7 scFv. The 2C7 scFv inhibited the uptake of LDL(-) by macrophages in a dose-dependent manner, and internalization of LDL(-) by these cells was found to be mediated by the CD36 and CD14 receptor. In addition, compared with untreated cells, lipid accumulation in macrophages was decreased, and the expression of Cd36, Tlr-4 and Cox-2 was downregulated in macrophages treated with 2C7 scFv. Importantly, compared with untreated mice, the treatment of Ldlr^-/- mice with 2C7 scFv decreased the atherosclerotic lesion area at the aortic sinus. In conclusion, our data show that 2C7 scFv inhibits foam cell formation and atherosclerotic plaque development by modulating the expression of genes relevant to atherogenesis. These results encourage further use of this antibody fragment in the development of new therapeutic strategies that neutralize the pro-atherogenic effects of LDL(-).     

Photosynthetic action spectra of the energy storage in bundle sheath cells of Zea mays

Photosynthetic action spectra (Formula: see text), (Carpentier, R., Larue, B. and Leblanc, R. (1984) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 228, 534-543.), from 400 to 750 nm were studied in bundle sheath cells of maize. Photosynthetic action spectra in the presence of 10 mM ascorbate or 4 mM ribose-5-phosphate were increased and shifted through all the spectra. After the addition of 10 microM DCMU photosynthetic action spectra were remarkably diminished. On the basis of these results we suggest that the role of PSII in BS chloroplasts will be to prevent the overoxidation of PSI. It appears that in addition to PSII some endogen electron donor may regulate the PSI activity in bundle sheath cells.