Article
Immunology
Narutoshi Tsukahara, Akikazu Murakami, Maiko Motohashi, Hiroshi Nakayama, Yoshiro Kondo, Yuji Ito, Takachika Azuma, Hidehiro Kishimoto
Summary: The study constructed a camelid VHH phage display library using CDR shuffling technique, which can provide functional VHH fragments against different antigens with affinities similar to immunized antigens.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sayeh Ezzikouri, Jalal Nourlil, Kyoko Tsukiyama-Kohara, Michinori Kohara, Hicham El Ossmani, Marc P. Windisch, Soumaya Benjelloun
Summary: COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, with rapid global spread and high fatality rates. Currently, there are no available vaccines or specific therapies. This paper highlights the potential utility of nanobodies for therapeutic and diagnostic interventions.
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE & DYNAMICS
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mehdi Arbabi-Ghahroudi
Summary: Since the discovery of camelid heavy-chain antibodies in 1993, there has been great interest in the research and application of nanobodies. After years of effort, the first nanobody drug was approved in 2018-2019 for the treatment of rare blood clotting disorders. Despite intellectual property restrictions, nanobodies have the potential to become mainstream biotherapeutics in the future.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Malgorzata Czarnecka, Ulrike Weichelt, Stefan Rodiger, Katja Hanack
Summary: The discovery of specific miRNA signatures corresponding to disease progression opens up new possibilities for biomarker classification. Detection of these small non-coding RNAs is routinely done using body fluids or tissues with real-time PCR, next-generation sequencing, or amplification-based miRNA assays. Antibody-based detection systems could serve as alternative methods for supporting miRNA diagnostics in the future.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Anja Schloer, Stefan Hirschberg, Ghada Ben Amor, Toni Luise Meister, Prerna Arora, Stefan Poehlmann, Markus Hoffmann, Stephanie Pfaender, Omar Kamal Eddin, Julian Kamhieh-Milz, Katja Hanack
Summary: In this study, camelid heavy-chain-only antibodies (hcAb) were used as tools for novel in vitro diagnostic assays and therapeutic applications. The study found that these antibodies efficiently detect the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and have neutralizing capacity.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Andre Baldermann, Veronika Preissegger, Martin Dietzel
Summary: This study investigates the interactions between cementitious materials and dissolved metal ions, as well as the solubility of these metal ions. The results show that the solubility of C-A-S-H phases is significantly influenced by the content of metal ions. The newly-formed C-A-S-H phases have a high immobilization potential for aqueous metal ions. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the migration of metal ions in aquatic media.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Keisuke Ueda, Kenjirou Higashi, Kunikazu Moribe
Summary: This study investigated the effects of polymer-additive and drug chiralities on the supersaturation region of ketoprofen (KTP) using temperature-variable nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis. The results showed that the amorphous solubilities of racemic KTP and S-enantiomer (rac- and s-KTP) were similar, but the crystalline solubility of s-KTP was higher. PVP reduced the amorphous solubility of both rac- and s-KTP, while the crystalline solubility remained unchanged. The distribution of PVP into the KTP-rich phase decreased the chemical potential and amorphous solubility of KTP, narrowing the supersaturation region and reducing the maximum supersaturation temperature.
MOLECULAR PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Xiaoying Ji, Wenjie Guo, Xiwen Gu, Shanshan Guo, Kaixiang Zhou, Liping Su, Qing Yuan, Yang Liu, Xu Guo, Qichao Huang, Jinliang Xing
Summary: The study reveals a significantly higher and more variable mutation rate in mtCTR across different tumor types, with a noticeable distributional bias of tumor somatic mutations between the hypervariable segment and non-hypervariable segment. The mutational pattern of mtCTR is associated with mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial oxidative metabolism, and patient overall survival.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yingjie Wang, Jiachen Zang, Chengtao Wang, Xiuqing Zhang, Guanghua Zhao
Summary: The ferritin from kuruma prawns (MjF) showed a significantly higher resistance to denaturation induced by Cd2+ and Hg2+ compared to human H-chain ferritin (HuHF), due to the difference in the position of cysteine residues between MjF and HuHF. This study suggests the potential for prawn ferritin as a bio-template to remove heavy metal ions from contaminated food systems, based on its unique structural properties and metal-binding abilities.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Jirat Vanichanukulyakit, Supakit Khacha-ananda, Tawachai Monum, Phatcharin Mahawong, Kittikhun Moophayak, Watsana Penkhrue, Taddaow Khumpook, Sorawat Thongsahuan
Summary: Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis is an important tool for human identification, especially for tracing maternal lineages. This study focuses on the polymorphisms of HVRIII in the Thai population to establish a national database for human identification. The most common mutation in HVRIII is base substitution, followed by deletion and insertion. Our database can be used as supplementary markers in forensic investigations and contribute to genetic identification and anthropological genetics research in Thailand.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kasandra Belanger, Jamshid Tanha
Summary: Interest in single-domain antibodies is driven by their unique structural and therapeutic features, but challenges remain in human antibody heavy chain variable domains. Recent development of non-canonical transgenic rodent antibody discovery platforms shows promise in generating high affinity, high solubility, and aggregation-resistant human V(H)s.
PROTEIN ENGINEERING DESIGN & SELECTION
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Yasaman Asaadi, Fatemeh Fazlollahi Jouneghani, Sara Janani, Fatemeh Rahbarizadeh
Summary: By comparing the structure and properties of camelid antibodies (VHHs) and single-chain variable fragments (scFvs), it can be determined which one is more suitable for their respective therapeutic, diagnostic, and research applications.
BIOMARKER RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Anoop Kishore Vatti, Poulumi Dey, Sriprasad Acharya, Laxman Kumar Kundarapu, Sampath Kumar Puttapati
Summary: The role of ionic liquid in asphaltene dissolution was investigated using experimental characterization techniques and molecular dynamics simulations. The results showed that the ionic liquid played a key role in separating asphaltene from organic solvents under study.
Article
Virology
Nipuna Tennakoon, Jihoon Ryu, Makoto Ujike, Fumihiro Taguchi, Hyun-Jin Shin
Summary: Deletions in the spike gene of mouse hepatitis virus lead to variant viruses with different biological characteristics. The study shows that the deletion in the hypervariable region affects the fusion activity and growth kinetics of the virus.
Article
Hematology
Eliza A. Ruben, Michael J. Rau, James A. J. Fitzpatrick, Enrico Di Cera
Summary: The cryo-EM structures of human coagulation factors V and Va reveal their assembly and function mechanisms, offering a molecular understanding of the clotting process.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Magfur E. Alam, Gregory V. Barnett, Thomas R. Slaney, Charles G. Starr, Tapan K. Das, Peter M. Tessier
MOLECULAR PHARMACEUTICS
(2019)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Samuel D. Stimple, Sibel Kalyoncu, Alec A. Desai, Jesper E. Mogensen, Lotte T. Spang, Desiree J. Asgreen, Arne Staby, Peter M. Tessier
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING
(2019)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Samuel D. Stimple, Matthew D. Smith, Peter M. Tessier
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Yulei Zhang, Lina Wu, Priyanka Gupta, Alec A. Desai, Matthew D. Smith, Lilia A. Rabia, Seth D. Ludwig, Peter M. Tessier
MOLECULAR PHARMACEUTICS
(2020)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Charles G. Starr, Emily K. Makowski, Lina Wu, Brendan Berg, Jonathan S. Kingsbury, Yatin R. Gokarn, Peter M. Tessier
Summary: CS-SINS is a method that measures colloidal self-interactions at ultradilute antibody concentrations, predicting antibody developability issues at high concentrations, enabling large-scale, high-throughput selection of developable antibodies during early discovery stages.
MOLECULAR PHARMACEUTICS
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Priyanka Gupta, Emily K. Makowski, Sandeep Kumar, Yulei Zhang, Justin M. Scheer, Peter M. Tessier
Summary: The study evaluated the repulsive self-interactions and non-specific interactions properties of 42 IgG1 variants, finding that antibodies with the strongest repulsive self-interactions in standard formulations display the strongest non-specific interactions in physiological solution conditions, and vice versa. The best combination was found in antibodies with weakly basic isoelectric points and Fv isoelectric points.
MOLECULAR PHARMACEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Weishu Wu, Xiaotian Tan, Jennifer Zupancic, John S. Schardt, Alec A. Desai, Matthew D. Smith, Jie Zhang, Liangzhi Xie, Maung Khaing Oo, Peter M. Tessier, Xudong Fan
Summary: In this study, a rapid and quantitative assay was developed to evaluate the neutralizing efficacy of antibodies and nanobodies against COVID-19. The assay showed comparable results to traditional virus neutralization tests and demonstrated its ability to assess the efficacy against different SARS-CoV-2 variants.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Emily K. Makowski, John S. Schardt, Peter M. Tessier
Summary: Monoclonal antibodies are widely used in the treatment of various human disorders. However, there are challenges in the early stages of antibody drug development, particularly in generating antibodies against membrane proteins and identifying antibodies with drug-like biophysical properties. This article highlights bionanotechnologies for preparing functional membrane proteins and screening antibody biophysical properties, which can improve antibody discovery and engineering efforts.
CURRENT OPINION IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Harkamal S. Jhajj, Timon S. Lwo, Emily L. Yao, Peter M. Tessier
Summary: Agonist antibodies targeting immune checkpoints, especially those in the TNFR superfamily, are important for cancer treatment by regulating immune cell activity. However, their clinical utility is limited and antibody optimization is urgently needed to improve their therapeutic potential.
TRENDS IN MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ryan Limbocker, Nunilo Cremades, Roberta Cascella, Peter M. Tessier, Michele Vendruscolo, Fabrizio Chiti
Summary: The misfolding and aggregation of peptides and proteins into amyloid aggregates is a common feature of various protein misfolding diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Misfolded protein oligomers, which can form intermediates in the fibril formation process or be released by mature fibrils, are increasingly recognized as central to the development of these diseases. Despite challenges in studying these oligomers, researchers have developed methods to produce stable and reproducible populations for experimentation. These tools have provided insights into the structural determinants of oligomer toxicity and potential therapeutic strategies.
ACCOUNTS OF CHEMICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Matthew D. Smith, Marshall A. Case, Emily K. Makowski, Peter M. Tessier
Summary: The PSERM scoring method utilizes comprehensive deep sequencing data to score each observed protein variant, providing a more accurate determination of the optimal variants. PSERM scores are more reproducible and correlate stronger with experimentally measured properties compared to frequency or enrichment ratio methods, making it suitable for various protein engineering campaigns.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Jennifer M. Zupancic, Alec A. Desai, Peter M. Tessier
Summary: This study presents a simple method to isolate high-affinity nanobodies from common framework libraries using CDR-swapping mutagenesis. By shuffling the CDRs of low-affinity variants during the sorting process, high-affinity nanobodies can be directly isolated without the need for lead isolation and optimization. This approach, demonstrated here for SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing nanobodies, is expected to simplify the generation of high-affinity nanobodies.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jennifer M. Zupancic, John S. Schardt, Alec A. Desai, Emily K. Makowski, Matthew D. Smith, Ghasidit Pornnoppadol, Mayara Garcia de Mattos Barbosa, Marilia Cascalho, Thomas M. Lanigan, Peter M. Tessier
Summary: A novel multivalent nanobody, VHH-72, has shown significant neutralizing activity against various SARS-CoV-2 variants with high biophysical stability, solubility, and specificity.
ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS
(2021)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Emily K. Makowski, Lina Wu, Priyanka Gupta, Peter M. Tessier
Summary: Developing monoclonal antibodies as therapeutic agents for diverse human disorders has sparked intense interest. Key recent advances in high-throughput methods for identifying antibodies with desirable properties have shown great promise in rational antibody design and prediction of drug-like behaviors, but outstanding challenges remain in fully realizing their potential to minimize development times and improve success rates in the clinic.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Emily K. Makowski, Lina Wu, Alec A. Desai, Peter M. Tessier
Summary: The PolySpecificity Particle (PSP) assay is a sensitive flow cytometry method for evaluating antibody nonspecific interactions, overcoming previous limitations and allowing for evaluation of diverse types of antibodies. This assay is more sensitive than standard assays like ELISAs, and has the potential to accelerate the development of safe and effective antibody therapeutics.