Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Debayan Sarkar, Satyajit Mishra, Rahul Nisal, Sumita Majhi, Rohit Shrivas, Yashaswi Singh, V. S. Anusree, Jeet Kalia
Summary: Peptide toxins secreted by venomous animals can bind to and modulate the function of mammalian ion channel proteins. These toxins are highly specific to their target ion channels, making them powerful tools for ion channel biology. However, producing fluorescently labeled toxins rich in cysteine residues presents technical challenges. In this study, we evaluate different protein bioconjugation approaches and find that C-terminal bioconjugation via the sortase technology is successful in producing fluorescently labeled toxins.
BIOCONJUGATE CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Ryusuke Nakamoto, Valentina Ferri, Heying Duan, Negin Hatami, Mahima Goel, Jarrett Rosenberg, Richard Kimura, Mirwais Wardak, Tom Haywood, Rowaid Kellow, Bin Shen, Walter Park, Andrei Iagaru, Sanjiv Sam Gambhir
Summary: A novel cystine-knot peptide-based PET radiopharmaceutical, F-18-FP-R(0)1-MG-F2 (knottin), was developed to selectively bind to human integrin alpha(v)beta(6) overexpressed in pancreatic cancer. The study evaluated the safety, biodistribution, dosimetry, and lesion uptake of F-18-FP-R(0)1-MG-F2 in pancreatic cancer patients, demonstrating its ability to detect primary tumors and distant metastases with an effective dose comparable to other diagnostic agents. Larger studies are needed to further define the role of this approach.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE AND MOLECULAR IMAGING
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Tien T. Dang, Lai Y. Chan, Benjamin J. Tombling, Peta J. Harvey, Edward K. Gilding, David J. Craik
Summary: This study investigated the peptidome of Rinorea bengalensis, identifying more acyclotides than cyclotides. A new bracelet-subfamily cyclotide ribe 33 was successfully synthesized, opening up new possibilities for future molecular engineering applications.
JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stefania Mitola, Cosetta Ravelli, Michela Corsini, Alessandra Gianoncelli, Federico Galvagni, Kurt Ballmer-Hofer, Marco Presta, Elisabetta Grillo
Summary: In this study, we propose a multi-step approach for the expression and purification of histidine-tagged recombinant dimeric Gremlin-1 protein, which can act as a BMP antagonist and a VEGFR2 agonist, using HEK293T cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Martine Darwish, Xinxin Gao, Whitney Shatz, Hong Li, May Lin, Yvonne Franke, Christine Tam, Kyle Mortara, Inna Zilberleyb, Rami N. Hannoush, Craig Blanchette
Summary: The study developed CKP-containing NLPs and Fab-CKP-NLP conjugates using a self-assembly strategy. CKP-NLPs exhibited similar stability to NLP controls and maintained CKP activity in Fab-CKP-NLP conjugates.
NANOSCALE ADVANCES
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Jonatan Dewulf, Christel Vangestel, Yannick Verhoeven, Jorrit De Waele, Karen Zwaenepoel, Peter A. van Dam, Filipe Elvas, Tim van den Wyngaert
Summary: RANKL has been recognized as an important target in the tumor microenvironment for promoting an immunosuppressive environment and resistance to immunotherapy. Assessment of RANKL expression is challenging due to its heterogeneous nature, but the development of anti-RANKL immuno-PET tracers shows promise in non-invasively monitoring RANKL expression.
Review
Plant Sciences
Francis Alfred Attah, Bilqis Abiola Lawal, Abdulmalik Babatunde Yusuf, Oluwakorede Joshua Adedeji, Joy Temiloluwa Folahan, Kelvin Oluwafemi Akhigbe, Tithi Roy, Azeemat Adeola Lawal, Ngozi Blessing Ogah, Olufunke Esan Olorundare, Jean Christopher Chamcheu
Summary: This review explores the nutritional and pharmaceutical applications of phytomedicines rich in cystine knot peptides (Knottins) and highlights the potential for future research and clinical applications in this field, which shows promising prospects.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Kohta Mohri, Kim Phuong Huynh Nhat, Maki Zouda, Shota Warashina, Yasuhiro Wada, Yasuyoshi Watanabe, Shunsuke Tagami, Hidefumi Mukai
Summary: In this study, we generated a PET probe based on MccJ25 analog with an RGD motif and investigated its utility for tumor imaging. The probe showed high accumulation in tumors with integrin alpha v beta 3 expression and low non-specific accumulation in other tissues. These results suggest that MccJ25 variants can be useful tools for cancer molecular imaging.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Tetsuya Tsujikawa, Akira Makino, Tetsuya Mori, Hideaki Tsuyoshi, Yasushi Kiyono, Yoshio Yoshida, Hidehiko Okazawa
Summary: In recent decades, F-18-FDG PET has been widely used in the diagnosis of gynecological malignancies, showing higher diagnostic accuracy than conventional imaging methods in detecting metastatic lesions, local recurrence, and evaluating treatment response. Moreover, F-18-FES PET provides additional value to F-18-FDG PET in diagnosing and prognosticating estrogen-related gynecological tumors. PET imaging allows for in vivo measurement of tumor behavior, characterization of the entire tumor burden, and capturing the heterogeneity of tumor phenotype.
CLINICAL NUCLEAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Atsushi Kimura, Miho Ueno, Tadashi Arai, Kotaro Oyama, Mitsumasa Taguchi
Summary: In this study, peptide nanoparticles composed of aromatic amino acid residues were designed and synthesized based on the radiation crosslinking mechanism of proteins. The nanoparticles displayed a positive surface potential, maintained biodegradability, and could be used for tumor-targeting diagnostics and DDS therapy. These radiation-crosslinked nanoparticles have potential applications in the medical field.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Michael S. S. Brewer, T. Jeffrey Cole
Summary: Venom produced by spiders represents a rich source of biomolecules with potential applications in pharmacology and agriculture. The study focuses on a family of polypeptides called ICK toxins found in spider venoms, which are difficult to study due to their complex structure. Through an analysis of venom gland transcriptomes and proteomes from different spider lineages, the study identified hundreds of unique ICK toxins and revealed the evolutionary patterns that have shaped their functional diversity. The findings suggest that further research and genetic sequencing will provide a better understanding of the evolutionary processes behind these toxins.
Article
Oncology
Arjan Kol, Xiaoyu Fan, Marta. A. A. Wazynska, Sander M. J. van Duijnhoven, Danique Giesen, Annechien Plat, Hans Van Eenennaam, Philip. H. H. Elsinga, Hans. W. W. Nijman, Marco de Bruyn
Summary: This study focuses on generating and radiolabeling monoclonal antibodies targeting human CD103 for non-invasive immune PET imaging, demonstrating their potential as biomarkers for effective anticancer immune responses. The results show high specificity and sensitivity of the CD103 immuno-PET tracers in visualizing T cell infiltration, indicating their suitability for future applications in cancer immunotherapy assessment.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Tadashi Kimura
Summary: GTx1-15, an ICK peptide inhibiting various ion channels, exhibits high proteolytic and thermal stability, as well as no cytotoxicity or immunogenicity towards THP-1 cells, making it suitable for peptide drug development and library scaffold applications.
Article
Oncology
Kimberly J. Edwards, Bryan Chang, Hasan Babazada, Katheryn Lohith, Daniel H. Park, Michael D. Farwell, Mark A. Sellmyer
Summary: CD69 PET imaging can be used to assess early response to immunotherapies and predict therapeutic immune responses to novel immunotherapies.
CANCER IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Sergei A. Subbotin, Julie Burbridge
Summary: A recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) assay targeting the IGS rRNA gene of the northern root-knot nematode Meloidogyne hapla was developed for rapid, accurate, and sensitive diagnostics. Results showed that the lateral flow dipsticks (LF-RPA) method could reliably detect the nematode within 30 minutes, with a high sensitivity suitable for various environments. The developed RPA assay has great potential for diagnosing M. hapla infestations in different settings.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anita Anderl, Harald Kolmar, Hans-Lothar Fuchsbauer
JOURNAL OF INORGANIC BIOCHEMISTRY
(2020)
Article
Dermatology
Anna Lena Klein, Markus Lubda, Paniz Akbarzadeh Taghavi, Juergen Lademann, Ingeborg Beckers, Joerg von Hagen, Harald Kolmar, Alexa Patzelt
SKIN PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY
(2020)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Hendrik Schneider, Lukas Deweid, Olga Avrutina, Harald Kolmar
ANALYTICAL BIOCHEMISTRY
(2020)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Jan P. Bogen, Juliana Storka, Desislava Yanakieva, David Fiebig, Julius Grzeschik, Bjoern Hock, Harald Kolmar
Summary: The isolation of chicken monoclonal antibodies with high affinity, specificity, and thermal stability from immunized chickens using yeast cell biopanning paves the way for the generation of bispecific antibodies against native mammalian receptors based on common light chains.
BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Adrian Elter, Jan P. Bogen, Steffen C. Hinz, David Fiebig, Arturo Macarron Palacios, Julius Grzeschik, Bjoern Hock, Harald Kolmar
Summary: Generation of high-affinity monoclonal antibodies through chicken immunization and their humanization process have been successfully demonstrated in this study, leading to the development of multiple humanized antibodies with therapeutic potential. The sequencing data provided novel insights into the importance of antibody format during the humanization process, indicating the effectiveness and efficiency of this high-throughput approach.
BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2021)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Leila Djemal, Clemence Fournier, Joerg von Hagen, Harald Kolmar, Veronique Deparis
Summary: This article discusses the occurrences of viral contaminations in the production of biopharmaceuticals, the methods to mitigate viral contamination risk, and the principle, advantages, and challenges of high temperature short time (HTST) technology. It also reviews the effectiveness of HTST treatment on media, process performance, and product quality based on shared knowledge in the literature.
BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Lukas Pekar, Katja Klausz, Michael Busch, Bernhard Valldorf, Harald Kolmar, Daniela Wesch, Hans-Heinrich Oberg, Steffen Krohn, Ammelie Svea Boje, Carina Lynn Gehlert, Lars Toleikis, Simon Krah, Tushar Gupta, Brian Rabinovich, Stefan Zielonka, Matthias Peipp
Summary: Novel immunoligands targeting activating NK cell receptors were generated and showed enhanced killing of tumor cells by NK cells. Incorporating affinity-matured ligands for NK cell-activating receptors may represent an effective strategy for potent cancer immunotherapy agents.
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bastian Becker, Simon Englert, Hendrik Schneider, Desislava Yanakieva, Sarah Hofmann, Carolin Dombrowsky, Arturo Macarron Palacios, Sebastian Bitsch, Adrian Elter, Tobias Meckel, Benedikt Kugler, Anastasyia Schirmacher, Olga Avrutina, Ulf Diederichsen, Harald Kolmar
Summary: The development of novel biotherapeutics based on peptides and proteins faces challenges in targeting intracellular sites due to limitations in molecule penetration. By utilizing dextran as a scaffold for multimerization of cell-penetrating peptides, efficient cytoplasmic translocation of functional peptides and peptide nucleic acids was achieved. A synthetic pathway involving photolabile protection of lysine side chains was established to enable light-triggered cellular uptake activation.
JOURNAL OF PEPTIDE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Martina Zimmermann, Melanie Nguyen, Christian M. Schultheiss, Harald Kolmar, Aline Zimmer
Summary: ThioFuc was investigated as a supplement to modulate the fucosylation profile of therapeutic proteins, resulting in enhanced effector functions. The efficient reduction of core-fucosylation by ThioFuc treatment led to increased afucosylation levels and improved Fc gamma RIIIa binding, ultimately enhancing ADCC efficacy. ThioFuc shows potential applications in drug development processes for improving therapeutic antibody functions.
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Stefania C. Carrara, Michael Ulitzka, Julius Grzeschik, Henri Kornmann, Bjorn Hock, Harald Kolmar
Summary: Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies have become the dominant product class in the biopharmaceutical market, requiring special precautions for production to ensure safety and efficacy. Minimizing antibody product heterogeneity is crucial for maintaining activity and effectiveness, with Quality-by-Design and current Good Manufacturing Practices helping improve drug development success rates.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Sandra Oloketuyi, Robert Bernedo, Andreas Christmann, Justyna Borkowska, Giulia Cazzaniga, Horst Wilhelm Schuchmann, Joanna Niedziolka-Joensson, Katarzyna Szot-Karpinska, Harald Kolmar, Ario de Marco
Summary: C-reactive protein (CRP) is an inflammation biomarker that should be accurately quantified during infections and healing processes. Nanobodies show promise as alternatives to conventional antibodies in immunodiagnostics, with the ability to achieve higher binder density on capture surfaces. By comparing two different selection strategies, researchers were able to isolate anti-CRP nanobodies with low nanomolar affinity, suitable for use in ELISA and immunoprecipitation assays. One of the nanobodies was fused to SpyTag and used in an electrochemical biosensor to detect CRP with high sensitivity.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stefania C. Carrara, Jan P. Bogen, David Fiebig, Julius Grzeschik, Bjoern Hock, Harald Kolmar
Summary: This study focuses on the role of MerTK receptors in the clearance of apoptotic cells and successfully generates bispecific antibodies that can simultaneously bind EGFR and MerTK. These bispecific antibodies exhibit appropriate binding properties in vitro and promote phagocytosis between macrophages and cancer cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Stefania C. Carrara, David Fiebig, Jan P. Bogen, Julius Grzeschik, Bjorn Hock, Harald Kolmar
Summary: Research shows that using a bidirectional vector can efficiently produce FDA-approved antibodies, with yields comparable to traditional two-plasmid expression systems. This method can facilitate small-scale monoclonal antibody production in a cost- and time-efficient manner.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Steffen C. Hinz, Adrian Elter, Julius Grzeschik, Jan Habermann, Bastian Becker, Harald Kolmar
GENOTYPE PHENOTYPE COUPLING: METHODS AND PROTOCOLS
(2020)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Tim Hofmann, Johannes Schmidt, Elke Ciesielski, Stefan Becker, Thomas Rysiok, Mark Schuette, Lars Toleikis, Harald Kolmar, Achim Doerner
