scholarly journals Recent Advances in the Synthesis of Glycoconjugates for Vaccine Development

Molecules ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 1712 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cinzia Colombo ◽  
Olimpia Pitirollo ◽  
Luigi Lay
Keyword(s):  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Thick Layer ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Recent Advances ◽  
Initial Adhesion ◽  
Immunogenic Proteins ◽  
New Research

During the last decade there has been a growing interest in glycoimmunology, a relatively new research field dealing with the specific interactions of carbohydrates with the immune system. Pathogens’ cell surfaces are covered by a thick layer of oligo- and polysaccharides that are crucial virulence factors, as they mediate receptors binding on host cells for initial adhesion and organism invasion. Since in most cases these saccharide structures are uniquely exposed on the pathogen surface, they represent attractive targets for vaccine design. Polysaccharides isolated from cell walls of microorganisms and chemically conjugated to immunogenic proteins have been used as antigens for vaccine development for a range of infectious diseases. However, several challenges are associated with carbohydrate antigens purified from natural sources, such as their difficult characterization and heterogeneous composition. Consequently, glycoconjugates with chemically well-defined structures, that are able to confer highly reproducible biological properties and a better safety profile, are at the forefront of vaccine development. Following on from our previous review on the subject, in the present account we specifically focus on the most recent advances in the synthesis and preliminary immunological evaluation of next generation glycoconjugate vaccines designed to target bacterial and fungal infections that have been reported in the literature since 2011.

scholarly journals New Advances in General Biomedical Applications of PAMAM Dendrimers

Molecules ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (11) ◽  
pp. 2849 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renan Araújo ◽  
Soraya Santos ◽  
Elizabeth Igne Ferreira ◽  
Jeanine Giarolla
Keyword(s):  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Pamam Dendrimers ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Neglected Diseases ◽  
New Class ◽  
Specific Organ ◽  
Selective Delivery ◽  
New Research ◽  
Advanced Applications

Dendrimers are nanoscopic compounds, which are monodispersed, and they are generally considered as homogeneous. PAMAM (polyamidoamine) was introduced in 1985, by Donald A. Tomalia, as a new class of polymers, named ‘starburst polymers’. This important contribution of Professor Tomalia opened a new research field involving nanotechnological approaches. From then on, many groups have been using PAMAM for diverse applications in many areas, including biomedical applications. The possibility of either linking drugs and bioactive compounds, or entrapping them into the dendrimer frame can improve many relevant biological properties, such as bioavailability, solubility, and selectivity. Directing groups to reach selective delivery in a specific organ is one of the advanced applications of PAMAM. In this review, structural and safety aspects of PAMAM and its derivatives are discussed, and some relevant applications are briefly presented. Emphasis has been given to gene delivery and targeting drugs, as advanced delivery systems using PAMAM and an incentive for its use on neglected diseases are briefly mentioned.

scholarly journals The Spike of SARS-CoV-2: Uniqueness and Applications

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ranjith Kumavath ◽  
Debmalya Barh ◽  
Bruno Silva Andrade ◽  
Madangchanok Imchen ◽  
Flavia Figueira Aburjaile ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
S Protein ◽  
Recent Advances ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Effect Transistor

The Spike (S) protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is critical for its ability to attach and fuse into the host cells, leading to infection, and transmission. In this review, we have initially performed a meta-analysis of keywords associated with the S protein to frame the outline of important research findings and directions related to it. Based on this outline, we have reviewed the structure, uniqueness, and origin of the S protein of SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, the interactions of the Spike protein with host and its implications in COVID-19 pathogenesis, as well as drug and vaccine development, are discussed. We have also summarized the recent advances in detection methods using S protein-based RT-PCR, ELISA, point‐of‐care lateral flow immunoassay, and graphene-based field-effect transistor (FET) biosensors. Finally, we have also discussed the emerging Spike mutants and the efficacy of the Spike-based vaccines against those strains. Overall, we have covered most of the recent advances on the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein and its possible implications in countering this virus.

scholarly journals From mammoths to materials: synthetic biology moves into the biomaterial space

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-23
Author(s):  
Michael R. Behrens ◽  
Warren C. Ruder
Keyword(s):  
Synthetic Biology ◽  
Recombinant Dna ◽  
Biological Systems ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Environmental Cues ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
The Future ◽  
New Research ◽  
Societal Problems

Synthetic biology is a relatively new research field that employs synthetic recombinant DNA technologies to engineer capabilities for addressing a wide variety of scientific and societal problems. We highlight a few noteworthy projects and achievements spanning the field of synthetic biology. In particular, some of the ways synthetic biological tools have been used to create novel biomaterials. Biological systems, like cells or larger organisms, can be made not only to synthesize new biomaterials but also to act as biomaterial constituents themselves, imbuing the materials with useful biological properties like the ability to respond dynamically to environmental cues. Looking into the future, there are many promising research directions synthetic biologists can take to develop tomorrow's biomaterials.

Wspólnota semantyczno-leksykalna języków europejskich. O monografii: А.А. Кретов, О.М. Воевудская, И.А. Меркулова, В.Т. Титов, Единство Европы по данным лексики (Воронеж: Издательский дом ВГУ, 2016, ss. 413 [1])

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (XXIII) ◽  
pp. 121-133
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Wojan
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Research ◽  
Lexical Semantics ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Linguistic Typology ◽  
Lexical Semantic ◽  
Theoretical Linguistics ◽  
Research Concept ◽  
New Research

This article outlines the original research concept developed and applied by the Voronezh researchers, which brought both quantitative and qualitative results to the field of linguistic comparative research. Their monograph is devoted to the macrotypological unity of the lexical semantics of the languages in Europe. In addition, semantic stratification of Russian and Polish lexis has been analyzed. Their research concept is now known as the “lexical-semantic macrotypological school of Voronezh.” Representatives of this school have created a new research field in theoretical linguistics – a lexical-semantic language macrotypology as a branch of linguistic typology. The monograph has been widely discussed and reviewed in Russia.

Judicial geography as a legal science and academic discipline

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 122-137
Author(s):  
Almaz F. Abdulvaliev
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Law ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Academic Discipline ◽  
Preliminary Investigation ◽  
Criminal Procedure ◽  
Mapping Method ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Theoretical Development ◽  
New Research

This article presents the conceptual foundations for the formation of a new research field “Judicial Geography”, including the prerequisites for its creation, academic, and theoretical development, both in Russia and abroad. The purpose of the study is to study the possibility of applying geographical methods and means in criminal law, criminal procedure, and in judicial activity in general via the academic direction “Judicial Geography”. The author describes in detail the main elements of judicial geography and its role and significance for such legal sciences, as criminal law, criminal procedure, criminalistics, and criminology among others. The employed research methods allow showing the main vectors of the development of judicial geography, taking into account the previous achievements of Russian and worldwide academics. The author indicates the role and place of judicial geography in the system of legal sciences. This study suggests a concept of using scientific geographical methods in the study of various legal phenomena of a criminal and criminal-procedural nature when considering the idea of building judicial bodies and judicial instances, taking into account geographical and climatic factors. In this regard, the author advises to introduce the special course “Judicial Geography”, which would allow law students to study the specifics of the activities of the judiciary and preliminary investigation authorities from a geographical point of view, as well as to use various geographical methods, including the mapping method, in educational and practical activities. The author concludes that forensic geography may become a new milestone for subsequent scientific research in geography and jurisprudence.

Carbohydrate-Binding Agents: Potential of Repurposing for COVID-19 Therapy

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 1085-1096 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajesh Kumar Gupta ◽  
Girish R. Apte ◽  
Kiran Bharat Lokhande ◽  
Satyendra Mishra ◽  
Jayanta K. Pal
Keyword(s):  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Carbohydrate Binding ◽  
Atypical Pneumonia ◽  
The Novel ◽  
High Infection ◽  
Binding Agents ◽  
Current Scenario ◽  
Antiviral Activities ◽  
Novel Drug

: With the emergence of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the whole world is suffering from atypical pneumonia, which resulted in more than 559,047 deaths worldwide. In this time of crisis and urgency, the only hope comes from new candidate vaccines and potential antivirals. However, formulating new vaccines and synthesizing new antivirals are a laborious task. Therefore, considering the high infection rate and mortality due to COVID-19, utilization of previous information, and repurposing of existing drugs against valid viral targets have emerged as a novel drug discovery approach in this challenging time. The transmembrane spike (S) glycoprotein of coronaviruses (CoVs), which facilitates the virus’s entry into the host cells, exists in a homotrimeric form and is covered with N-linked glycans. S glycoprotein is known as the main target of antibodies having neutralizing potency and is also considered as an attractive target for therapeutic or vaccine development. Similarly, targeting of N-linked glycans of S glycoprotein envelope of CoV via carbohydrate-binding agents (CBAs) could serve as an attractive therapeutic approach for developing novel antivirals. CBAs from natural sources like lectins from plants, marine algae and prokaryotes and lectin mimics like Pradimicin-A (PRM-A) have shown antiviral activities against CoV and other enveloped viruses. However, the potential use of CBAs specifically lectins was limited due to unfavorable responses like immunogenicity, mitogenicity, hemagglutination, inflammatory activity, cellular toxicity, etc. Here, we reviewed the current scenario of CBAs as antivirals against CoVs, presented strategies to improve the efficacy of CBAs against CoVs; and studied the molecular interactions between CBAs (lectins and PRM-A) with Man9 by molecular docking for potential repurposing against CoVs in general, and SARSCoV- 2, in particular.

SARS-CoV-2 Biology Insights, Part IV.Antibody-Dependent Enhancement (ADE) and the tricky “Herd Immunity”: narrative review (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Lafon-Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Viral Infection ◽  
Viral Entry ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Whooping Cough ◽  
Common Knowledge ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
System P

BACKGROUND It is common knowledge that vaccination has improved our life quality and expectancy since it succeeded in achieving almost eradication of several diseases including chickenpox (varicella), diphtheria, hepatitis A and B, measles, meningococcal, mumps, pneumococcal, polio, rotavirus, rubella, tetanus and whooping cough (pertussis) Vaccination success is based on vaccine induction of neutralizing antibodies that help fight the infection (e.g. by a virus), preventing the disease. Conversely, Antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of a viral infection occurs when anti-viral antibodies facilitate viral entry into host cells and enhance viral infection in these cells. ADE has been previously studied in Dengue and HIV viruses and explains why a second infection with Dengue can be lethal. As already reviewed in Part I and Part II, SARS-Cov-2 shares with HIV not only 4 sequences in the Spike protein but also the capacity to attack the immune system. OBJECTIVE As HIV presents ADE, we wondered whether this was also the case regarding SARS-CoV-2. METHODS A literature review was done through Google. RESULTS SARS-CoV-2 presents ADE. As SARS, which does not have the 4 HIV-like inserts, has the same property, ADE would not be driven by the HIV-like spike sequences. CONCLUSIONS ADE can explain the failure of herd immunity-based strategies and will also probably hamper anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development. As reviewed in Part I, there fortunately are promising therapeutic strategies for COVID-19, which should be further developed. In the meantime, complementary countermeasures to protect mainly the youth from this infection are presented to be discussed in Part V Viewpoint.

scholarly journals A decellularized human corneal scaffold for anterior corneal surface reconstruction

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Naresh Polisetti ◽  
Anke Schmid ◽  
Ursula Schlötzer-Schrehardt ◽  
Philip Maier ◽  
Stefan J. Lang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Sodium Deoxycholate ◽  
Nuclear Material ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Human Cornea ◽  
Human Donor ◽  
Short Period

AbstractAllogenic transplants of the cornea are prone to rejection, especially in repetitive transplantation and in scarred or highly vascularized recipient sites. Patients with these ailments would particularly benefit from the possibility to use non-immunogenic decellularized tissue scaffolds for transplantation, which may be repopulated by host cells in situ or in vitro. So, the aim of this study was to develop a fast and efficient decellularization method for creating a human corneal extracellular matrix scaffold suitable for repopulation with human cells from the corneal limbus. To decellularize human donor corneas, sodium deoxycholate, deoxyribonuclease I, and dextran were assessed to remove cells and nuclei and to control tissue swelling, respectively. We evaluated the decellularization effects on the ultrastructure, optical, mechanical, and biological properties of the human cornea. Scaffold recellularization was studied using primary human limbal epithelial cells, stromal cells, and melanocytes in vitro and a lamellar transplantation approach ex vivo. Our data strongly suggest that this approach allowed the effective removal of cellular and nuclear material in a very short period of time while preserving extracellular matrix proteins, glycosaminoglycans, tissue structure, and optical transmission properties. In vitro recellularization demonstrated good biocompatibility of the decellularized human cornea and ex vivo transplantation revealed complete epithelialization and stromal repopulation from the host tissue. Thus, the generated decellularized human corneal scaffold could be a promising biological material for anterior corneal reconstruction in the treatment of corneal defects.

Recent advances in the development of metal-organic framework-based gas nanoplatforms for synergistic cancer therapy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Yao ◽  
Danni Jing ◽  
Jianan Zhang ◽  
Youyou Huang ◽  
Xiru Qin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Therapy ◽  
Therapeutic Efficacy ◽  
Metal Organic Framework ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Tumor Site ◽  
Recent Advances ◽  
Metal Organic ◽  
Organic Framework

Featuring high therapeutic efficacy, biocompatibility, and biosafety, gas therapy as a burgeoning and promising research field has attracted considerable attention in biomedicine. However, the lack of the tumor site accumulation...

scholarly journals Post-Translational Modifications Drive Success and Failure of Fungal–Host Interactions

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 124
Author(s):  
Charmaine Retanal ◽  
Brianna Ball ◽  
Jennifer Geddes-McAlister
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Candida Spp ◽  
Post Translational Modifications ◽  
Fungal Host ◽  
Resistant Species

Post-translational modifications (PTMs) change the structure and function of proteins and regulate a diverse array of biological processes. Fungal pathogens rely on PTMs to modulate protein production and activity during infection, manipulate the host response, and ultimately, promote fungal survival. Given the high mortality rates of fungal infections on a global scale, along with the emergence of antifungal-resistant species, identifying new treatment options is critical. In this review, we focus on the role of PTMs (e.g., phosphorylation, acetylation, ubiquitination, glycosylation, and methylation) among the highly prevalent and medically relevant fungal pathogens, Candida spp., Aspergillus spp., and Cryptococcus spp. We explore the role of PTMs in fungal stress response and host adaptation, the use of PTMs to manipulate host cells and the immune system upon fungal invasion, and the importance of PTMs in conferring antifungal resistance. We also provide a critical view on the current knowledgebase, pose questions key to our understanding of the intricate roles of PTMs within fungal pathogens, and provide research opportunities to uncover new therapeutic strategies.

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