(Press-News.org) Single-chain variable domain fragment (scFv) 637 is an antigen-specific scFv of myasthenia gravis and it can bind to acetylcholine receptor in the residues 67-76 of α-subunit of acetylcholine receptor. Dr. Fanping Meng and his team, College of Medicine, Yanbian University in China conjugated scFv and human serum albumin genes and detected the fusion protein in Pichia pastoris. Results showed that the fusion protein bound to acetylcholine receptors in neuromuscular junction of human intercostal muscle and the inhibition rate of fusion protein binding to acetycholine receptor was 2.0-77.4%, and the stability of fusion protein in static healthy sera was about 3 days. This approach suggests that scFV-human serum albumin is a potential candidate for specific immunosuppressive therapy of myasthenia gravis. This paper was published in Neural Regeneration Research (Vol. 9, No. 8, 2014).
INFORMATION:Article: " Fusion protein of single-chain variable domain fragments for treatment of myasthenia gravis," by Fangfang Li, Fanping Meng, Quanxin Jin, Changyuan Sun, Yingxin Li, Honghua Li, Songzhu Jin (Department of Immunology and Pathogenic Biology, College of Medicine, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin Province, China)
Li FF, Meng FP, Jin QX, Sun CY, Li YX, Li HH, Jin SZ. Fusion protein of single-chain variable domain fragments for treatment of myasthenia gravis. Neural Regen Res. 2014;9(8):851-856.
Contact: Meng Zhao
eic@nrren.org
86-138-049-98773
Neural Regeneration Research
http://www.nrronline.org/
Fusion protein of single-chain variable domain fragments and myasthenia gravis
2014-07-10
[Attachments] See images for this press release:
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
How does miR-21 promote the differentiation of hair follicle-derived NCSCs into SCs?
2014-07-10
Hair follicle-derived neural crest stem cells (NCSCs) can be induced to differentiate into Schwann cells (SCs). However, the underlying regulatory mechanism during cell differentiation remains poorly understood. Dr. Yuxin Ni and her team, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, China isolated NCSCs from human hair follicle and induced them to differentiate into SCs. MicroRNA (miR-21) expression was gradually increased during the differentiation of NCSCs into SCs. After transfection with the miR-21 agonist (agomir-21), the differentiation capacity of NCSCs was increased. ...
The optimal mitomycin C concentration for intact peripheral nerve structure and function
2014-07-10
Recently, local scar adhesion after laminectomy always challenges the worldwide scholars engaged in spine surgery. Mitomycin C, a classical anti-tumor drug, has been attempted to be used to effectively inhibit scar adhesion after laminectomy and some encouraging outcomes have been achieved. However, there is evidence that mitomycin C has inherent toxicity and other side effects when it is locally used. Whether mitomycin C can influence peripheral nerve structure and function remains unclear. Dr. Tao Sui and his team, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, ...
New research: Fresh avocado enhances absorption of essential nutrients for healthy living
2014-07-10
IRVINE, Calif. (July 10, 2014) – Consuming a whole fresh avocado with either an orange-colored tomato sauce or raw carrots significantly enhanced provitamin A carotenoid (alpha- and beta-carotene) absorption and conversion of these carotenoids to an active form of vitamin A, according to new research (1) published in The Journal of Nutrition.
Vitamin A is involved in reproductive health and growth promotion; helps support healthy skin, immune function, and vision; and has antioxidant properties. Provitamin A carotenoids, like alpha- and beta-carotene, impart the orange ...
Invasion of yellow crazy ant in a Seychelles UNESCO palm forest: Threats and solutions
2014-07-10
The yellow crazy ant Anoplolepis gracilipes is ranked amongst the top 100 worst global invasive species and is responsible for catastrophic ecological impacts on islands. A new study published in the open access journal NeoBiota examines and assesses the effects and dangers of the introduction of the yellow crazy ant to the unique,endemic ecosystem of the mature palm forest of the Vallée de Mai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on the Seychelles.
The palm forest of Vallée de Mai is a unique ecosystem containing many endemic species, including the iconic coco de mer palm ...
New diagnostic test to distinguish psoriasis from eczema
2014-07-10
In some patients, the chronic inflammatory skin diseases psoriasis* and eczema** are similar in appearance. Up to now, dermatologists have therefore had to base their decision on which treatment should be selected on their own experience and an examination of tissue samples. A team of researchers at the Helmholtz Zentrum München and the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have now analyzed the molecular processes that occur in both diseases and discovered crucial differences. This has enabled them for the first time to gain a detailed understanding of the ways in which ...
Mobile phone bling may be a personal, but also cultural thing
2014-07-10
Choosing mobile phone cases and customizing phones with charms and decorations may reveal a lot about a person's culture, as well as increase attachment to the devices, according to researchers.
In a study on culture and mobile phone customization, researchers found that people from Eastern cultures tend to be more motivated to change the look and sound of their mobile phones than people in Western countries, said S. Shyam Sundar, Distinguished Professor of Communications and co-director of the Media Effects Research Laboratory, Penn State.
"People who live in collectivist ...
Patient-specific stem cells and personalized gene therapy
2014-07-10
NEW YORK, NY (July 10, 2014) — Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) researchers have created a way to develop personalized gene therapies for patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a leading cause of vision loss. The approach, the first of its kind, takes advantage of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell technology to transform skin cells into retinal cells, which are then used as a patient-specific model for disease study and preclinical testing.
Using this approach, researchers led by Stephen H. Tsang, MD, PhD, showed that a form of RP caused by mutations to the ...
Men's hot flashes: Hypnotic relaxation may ease the discomfort men don't talk about
2014-07-10
WACO, Texas (July 10, 2014) — Men who experience hot flashes are unlikely to talk much about it, but they may find relief from their silent suffering if they are willing to try an unusual treatment, according to findings from a Baylor University case study.
After seven weeks of hypnotic relaxation therapy, a 69-year-old man who had uncontrolled hot flashes following prostate cancer surgery showed a drastic decrease not only in hot flashes but also an impressive improvement in sleep quality, according to the study.
The Baylor study — funded by the National Institutes ...
New research identifies risk factors for little league shoulder
2014-07-10
SEATTLE, WA – As cases of Little League Shoulder (LLS) occur more frequently, the need for additional information about the causes and outcomes of the condition has become clear. Researchers presenting at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine's (AOSSM) Annual Meeting today shared new data identifying associated risk factors, common treatment options and return to play.
"Our study examined 95 patients ranging from 8-17 years old diagnosed with Little League Shoulder," commented Benton E. Heyworth, MD, corresponding author from Children's Hospital Boston, ...
Entering MLB early may increase elbow surgery risk
2014-07-10
SEATTLE, WA – The common elbow surgery made famous by Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher, Tommy John, definitely does its job to return pitchers to the mound, but risks for having the surgery may be able to be recognized earlier in a player's career, say researchers presenting their work at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine's (AOSSM) Annual Meeting today. The study was the largest cohort of MLB pitchers, to date, that have undergone UCL reconstruction.
"Our results suggest that UCL reconstructive surgery does a tremendous job in allowing players to ...