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Modification of recombinant proteins using conjugation techniques is a useful and easy tool to improve the stability and pharmacokinetic properties of pharmaceutical protein products. In this study, we prepared a new conjugate by using natural oligopolysaccharides via an enzymatic method. Microbial transglutaminase was used for the enzymatic conjugation of filgrastim with hydrolysates of chitosan, which is a natural polymer in the polysaccharide structure. Conjugate formation and physicochemical properties of the modified filgrastim were demonstrated analytically. The results indicated that the conjugates protected the active substance filgrastim, both at 5 +/- 3 degrees C and 25 degrees C +/- 2 degrees C for four months. The in vitro bioactivity of the conjugate solution on NFS-60 cells was compared with that of the commercial reference filgrastim solution, and the relative potency was observed to be higher than that of the reference.

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is formed by highly regulated brain microvascular endothelium, with specific gene expression and selective transport properties. Structural characteristics of the BBB restrict the access of the molecules to the brain. Application of genomics and proteomics to BBB research is essential for understanding the molecular structure and functions of the BBB in healthy and disease conditions. Progress in the development of BBB research will lead to the identification of new targets for brain drug delivery.

Protein bioconjugates can be synthesized by using chemical reactions, enzymatic reactions or genetic engineering technologies. Naturally occurred protein fusion event is used on purpose in the development of better biopharmaceuticals by applying genetic engineering methodologies. This review will mainly focus on the types of fusion proteins produced with the use of recombinant DNA technology, by combining genes or parts of genes from the same or different organisms, in order to be used in pharmaceutical applications for several purposes. Main concerns for the development of better biopharmaceuticals include quality, efficacy, safety, immunogenicity and toxicity issues. Extending half-life of the drug to increase patient compliance, targeting the drugs to reduce toxicity, improving the manufacturing environment to reduce the costs and revealing protein interaction technologies to find novel and superior drugs are the main aims of fusion protein production. Here, related tags and examples of fusion methods for different purposes will be explained precisely.

The appearance of red blood cells in the urine may be the result of disease of any segment of the urinary tract. To determine whether there might be a distinguishing characteristic of the urinary red cells which appear during glomerular disease but is absent in other urinary tract diseases, the mean corpuscular volumes (MCV) of urinary and blood erythrocytes were measured by a Coulter counter in 34 children with haematuria. Diagnosis of the underlying renal or urinary tract disease was made by clinical and laboratory findings, including radiological investigations, renal biopsy and cystoscopy. The ratio of the urinary erythrocyte MCV to that in blood (Umcv/Bmcv) was compared with the diagnosis. The Umcv/Bmcv ratio was less than 1.0 in all children with glomerular disease and was greater than 1.0 in all but 1 of the patients with non-glomerular disease. This study suggests that the Umcv/Bmcv ratio provides a simple and useful technique for distinguishing between glomerular and non-glomerular haematuria. Such determination would help in guiding appropriate diagnostic evaluation.