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IgG4 antibodies are evolving as an important class of cancer immunotherapies. However, human IgG4 can undergo Fab arm (half molecule) exchange with other IgG4 molecules in vivo. The hinge modification by a point mutation (S228P) prevents half molecule exchange of IgG4. However, the experimental confirmation is still expected by regulatory agencies. Here, we report for the first time the extensive analysis of half molecule exchange for a hinge-modified therapeutic IgG4 molecule, pembrolizumab (Keytruda) targeting programmed death 1 (PD1) receptor that was approved for advanced melanoma. Studies were performed in buffer or human serum using multiple exchange partners including natalizumab (Tysabri) and human IgG4 pool. Formation of bispecific antibodies was monitored by fluorescence resonance energy transfer, exchange with Fc fragments, mixed mode chromatography, immunoassays, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The half molecule exchange was also examined in vivo in SCID (severe combined immunodeficiency) mice. Both in vitro and in vivo results indicate that the hinge modification in pembrolizumab prevented half molecule exchange, whereas the unmodified counterpart anti-PD1 wt showed active exchange activity with other IgG4 antibodies or self-exchange activity with its own molecules. Our work, as an example expected for meeting regulatory requirements, contributes to establish without ambiguity that hinge-modified IgG4 antibodies are suitable for biotherapeutic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The massive death of nerve cells and the inflammatory microenvironment resulting from the release of reactive oxygen species after spinal cord injury (SCI) hinders the subsequent reconstruction of motor function. Owing to complex pathological changes, combination therapy is a potential new way to treat SCI. In this study, a novel multifunctional hydrogel containing an MXene-Au complex was constructed, and neural stem cells (NSCs) loaded in the hydrogel were combined with electrical stimulation to promote the recovery of motor function after SCI in rats. The constructed MAu-GelMA hydrogel had good reactive oxygen species-scavenging ability, electrical conductivity, and antibacterial ability. Simultaneously, electrical stimulation promoted the proliferation and differentiation of NSCs into nerve cells and promoted the establishment of synaptic connections between neurons. In the rat SCI model, combined treatment using MAu-GelMA hydrogel carrying NSCs and electrical stimulation reduced the formation of cavities and glial scars, enhanced neuronal differentiation and myelin regeneration of NSCs in the injured area, and promoted the recovery of motor function after SCI. In conclusion, in this study, we constructed a novel multifunctional hydrogel capable of carrying NSCs, which upon combining with electrical stimulation during treatment, effectively promoted the recovery of motor function in rats with SCI, thereby providing a new combination therapy strategy for SCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recombinant adenoviruses (rAd), widely used as vectors for gene therapy, are generally purified by column chromatography and frequently contain empty capsids and other aberrant forms of virus particles. To determine particle heterogeneity we utilized analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) in CsCl density gradients. Preparations of three different rAd vectors were assessed. AUC was able to resolve multiple density forms including two empty capsid types in various virus preparations. One unusual density form (form V), was noninfectious and lacked protein VI. AUC was able to quantify empty capsids and monitor their removal during process development. Their relative concentrations were reduced by either addition of an immobilized zinc affinity chromatography (IZAC) step or by extension of the infection time. The Adenovirus Reference Material (ARM), a wild-type Ad5, had 2.2% empty capsids and no other detectable minor particle forms. Finally, AUC was utilized to monitor the thermal instability of the three rAd vectors via the transformations of different density forms. The vector and empty capsids containing protein IX were more stable than those without IX. Together, these results exemplify AUC in CsCl density gradients as a valuable technique for evaluating product particle heterogeneity and stability. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 97: 746–763, 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Covalent modification by Nedd8 (neddylation) stimulates the ubiquitin-protein isopeptide ligase (E3) activities of Cullins. DCN-1, an evolutionarily conserved protein, promotes neddylation of Cullins in vivo, binds directly to Nedd8, and associates with Cdc53 in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The 1.9Å resolution structure of yeast DCN-1 shows that the region encompassing residues 66-269 has a rectangular parallelepiped-like all -helical structures, consisting of an EF-hand motif N-terminal domain and a closely juxtaposed C-terminal domain with six -helices. The EF-hand motif structure is highly similar to that of the c-Cbl ubiquitin E3 ligase. We also demonstrate that DCN-1 directly binds to Rbx-1, a factor important for protein neddylation. The structural and biochemical results are consistent with the role of DCN-1 as a scaffold protein in a multisubunit neddylation E3 ligase complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) is the most serious form of spermatogenesis abnormalities in male infertility. Genetic factors are important to consider as elements leading to NOA. Although many pathogenic genes have been reported, the causative genes of NOA for many patients are still unknown. In this study, we found ten point mutations in the gene encoding homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 4 (HIPK4) in patients with NOA, and using in vitro studies, we determined a premature termination point mutation (p. Lys490*, c.1468A>T) that can cause decreased expression of HIPK4. Our phosphoproteomic analysis of Hipk4-/- testes revealed phosphorylation of multiple proteins regulated by HIPK4 during spermiogenesis. We also confirmed that a substrate of HIPK4 with four downregulated phosphorylation sites matching the xSPx motif is the known manchette-related protein RIMS-binding protein 3, which is required for sperm head morphogenesis. Therefore, we conclude HIPK4 regulates the phosphorylation of manchette protein RIMS-binding protein 3 and plays essential roles in sperm head shaping and male fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prohibiting the rapid holes recombination is a key issue for designing highly efficient photoelectrodes for solar water splitting. Here, we propose a strategy incorporating S atoms in the surface shell of ZnO nanoparticles to generate holes trapper for restraining the electron-hole recombination. The obtained ZnO@S-doped ZnO core/shell-like nanocomposite exhibits a high photocurrent density of 1.08 mA cm-2 with conversion efficiency up to 0.74%, 8 times larger than that of pristine ZnO nanoparticles. Comprehensively, the results from experimental and computational aspects reveal that the S dopants substituting the surface O sites narrow the band gap and introduce a mid-gap impurity band, contributing to the enhanced water splitting activity. This design provides some guides for future optimization of ZnO-based photoelectrodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present a method for enhancing the measurement capability of refractive index homogeneity for parallel optical components, which phase-shifting interferometry cannot handle with. With the help of wavelength-modulation phase-shifting interferometry, a series of multiple-surface interference fringes are obtained and analyzed by Fourier transform. Based on the fact that the interference fringe corresponding to each interference cavity has its own variation frequency, the wavefront aberrations induced by each interference cavity are obtained and the refractive index homogeneity is then obtained. It is proved by experiment that the enhanced method can measure the refractive index homogeneity of parallel optical components more accurately and conveniently compared with the traditional measurement approach. Therefore, it will have potential application forwards in optical measurement field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The symptoms of Clostridium difficile infections are caused by two exotoxins, TcdA and TcdB, which target host colonocytes by binding to unknown cell surface receptors, at least in part via their combined repetitive oligopeptide (CROP) domains. A combination of the anti-TcdA antibody actoxumab and the anti-TcdB antibody bezlotoxumab is currently under development for the prevention of recurrent C. difficile infections. We demonstrate here through various biophysical approaches that bezlotoxumab binds to specific regions within the N-terminal half of the TcdB CROP domain. Based on this information, we solved the x-ray structure of the N-terminal half of the TcdB CROP domain bound to Fab fragments of bezlotoxumab. The structure reveals that the TcdB CROP domain adopts a β-solenoid fold consisting of long and short repeats and that bezlotoxumab binds to two homologous sites within the CROP domain, partially occluding two of the four putative carbohydrate binding pockets located in TcdB. We also show that bezlotoxumab neutralizes TcdB by blocking binding of TcdB to mammalian cells. Overall, our data are consistent with a model wherein a single molecule of bezlotoxumab neutralizes TcdB by binding via its two Fab regions to two epitopes within the N-terminal half of the TcdB CROP domain, partially blocking the carbohydrate binding pockets of the toxin and preventing toxin binding to host cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High serum concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), which may affect the synthesis and assembly of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), are associated with fatty liver during the early lactation period. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of NEFA on the synthesis and assembly of VLDL in bovine hepatocytes. Bovine hepatocytes were cultured and treated with different concentrations of NEFA. The mRNA expression of apolipoprotein B100 (ApoB100) and apolipoprotein E (ApoE) was significantly lower in the NEFA treatment groups than in the control group (0 mM NEFA). The abundance of mRNA from microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) and the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) was significantly lower in the medium- and high-dose NEFA treatment groups. The protein expression of ApoB100, ApoE, MTP, and LDLR was found to be significantly and dose-dependently decreased in groups of NEFA-treated hepatocytes. The VLDL content was also significantly decreased in the NEFA-treated hepatocytes. Large amounts of triglycerides accumulated in the hepatocytes. These results indicate that NEFA significantly inhibits the expression of ApoB100, ApoE, MTP, and LDLR, thereby decreasing the synthesis and assembly of VLDL and inducing TG accumulation in bovine hepatocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL-2) is a severe debilitating autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in TPP1. There are no effective treatments, resulting in early childhood death. A couple with two affected children presented for reproductive genetic counselling and chose to undertake IVF and preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) to avoid the possibility of another affected child. However, DNA testing revealed only one mutation in the proband inherited from mother. Linkage analysis identified five informative linked short tandem repeat markers to aid the genetic diagnosis. Following IVF, five cleavage-stage embryos were biopsied and blastomeres were first subjected to whole-genome amplification, then a series of down-stream molecular genetic analyses to diagnose TPPI genotype and finally array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) to assess the chromo- somaL ploidy of each embryo. Two unaffected euploid embryos were identified for transfer. One was transferred on day 5 resulting in an ongoing pregnancy. Confirmatory prenatal diagnosis by amniocentesis showed concordance of the embryo and fetal diagnosis. As far as is known, this is the first successful report of PGD for NCL-2 using double-factor PGD with simultaneous single-gene testing and array CGH to identify an unaffected and chromosomally normal embryo for transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]