No description available.

No description available.

Background Previously, we identified a major myeloid-derived proinflammatory subpopulation of human blood dendritic cells which we termed slanDCs (e.g. Schäkel et al. (2006) Immunity 24, 767–777). The slan epitope is an O-linked sugar modification (6-sulfo LacNAc, slan) of P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1). As slanDCs can induce neoantigen-specific CD4+ T cells and tumor-reactive CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, they appear as promising targets for an in vivo delivery of antigens for vaccination. However, tools for delivery of antigens to slanDCs were not available until now. Moreover, it is unknown whether or not antigens delivered via the slan epitope can be taken up, properly processed and presented by slanDCs to T cells. Methodology/Principal Findings Single chain fragment variables were prepared from presently available decavalent monoclonal anti-slan IgM antibodies but failed to bind to slanDCs. Therefore, a novel multivalent anti-slanDC scaffold was developed which consists of two components: (i) a single chain bispecific recombinant diabody (scBsDb) that is directed on the one hand to the slan epitope and on the other hand to a novel peptide epitope tag, and (ii) modular (antigen-containing) linker peptides that are flanked at both their termini with at least one peptide epitope tag. Delivery of a Tetanus Toxin-derived antigen to slanDCs via such a scBsDb/antigen scaffold allowed us to recall autologous Tetanus-specific memory T cells. Conclusions/Significance In summary our data show that (i) the slan epitope can be used for delivery of antigens to this class of human-specific DCs, and (ii) antigens bound to the slan epitope can be taken up by slanDCs, processed and presented to T cells. Consequently, our novel modular scaffold system may be useful for the development of human vaccines.

Introdução: As periodontites agressivas (PAg) compõem um grupo de formas rapidamente progressivas da doença periodontal. A restauração do periodonto é um objetivo da terapia periodontal, sendo a regeneração tecidual guiada (RTG) e o uso de substitutos ósseos técnicas bem documentadas. Em pesquisas recentes, foi demonstrado o envolvimento de uma cadeia de 15 aminoácidos do colágeno (P-15) na diferenciação celular de fibroblastos e osteoblastos. A associação de matriz óssea inorgânica bovina com o P-15 (MOI/P-15) tem apresentado bons resultados. O objetivo dessa pesquisa foi avaliar a eficácia da MOI/P-15 no tratamento de defeitos periodontais infra-ósseos em pacientes com periodontite agressiva, tendo como controle o uso de membrana de PTFEe com reforço de titânio Metodologia: Foram selecionados 15 pacientes com PAg, com pelo menos dois defeitos periodontais infra-ósseos (profundidade de sondagem (PS)&ge;4mm e componente infra-ósseo&ge;3mm). Foi adotado o modelo boca dividida, sendo realizadas cirurgias regenerativas com MOI/P-15 (GT) de um lado e membrana de PTFEe (GC) do outro. As medidas clínicas de PS, nível de inserção relativo (NIR) e recessão gengival (RG) foram registradas no exame inicial e após 6 meses. Exames radiográficos padronizados foram feitos no exame inicial e após 3 e 6 meses e radiografias de subtração foram realizadas. Medidas lineares e de área foram registradas. Foram colhidas amostras do fluido gengival antes da cirurgia e aos 3 e 6 meses pós-operatórios e a presença de interleucina 1 beta (IL-1&beta;) e interleucina 6 (IL-6) foi quantificada através de ensaio imunoenzimático. Resultados: Houve redução significativa na PS, de 2,27±0,96 mm (P<0,001) para o GT e de 2,57±1,06 mm para o GC (P<0,001); aumento significativo no NIR, de 1,87±0,94 mm (P<0,001) para o GT e 2,09±0,88 mm (P<0,001) para o GC; e aumento significativo na RG, de 0,58±0,29 mm (P<0,001) para GT e 0,64±0,47 mm (P<0,001) para o GC. Não foram observadas diferenças estatisticamente significantes entre os grupos em nenhum dos parâmetros, tanto no exame inicial quanto após 6 meses. Na análise radiográfica, as radiografias de subtração apresentaram ganho médio de área radiopaca em relação ao defeito inicial de 93,16% para o GT, contra 62,03% para o GC. O preenchimento radiográfico do defeito foi maior (P=0,002). para GT (2,49 mm) que para GC (0.,73 mm). Houve um aumento progressivo da densidade radiográfica para ambos os grupos, sem diferenças estatisticamente significantes. Na análise das citocinas, não foram observadas diferenças estatisticamente significantes nas comparações intra e entre os grupos. Conclusão: No tratamento de defeitos infra-ósseos em pacientes com PAg-G, em um período de 6 meses, não foram observadas diferenças significantes entre as duas modalidades terapêuticas avaliadas (MOI/P-15 e RTG) quanto aos parâmetros clínicos e quantificação de citocinas. GT apresentou preenchimento radiográfico do defeito superior ao apresentado por GC. / Background: Intrabony periodontal defects present a particular treatment problem, especially in patients with Generalized Aggressive Periodontitis (G-AgP).Researches have been performed in order to improve the results of regenerative procedures. Material and Methods: The aim of this study was to compare outcomes of intrabony periodontal defects following treatment with anorganic bone matrix/cell binding peptide (ABM/P-15) to guided tissue regeneration (GTR) in patients with GAgP. Fifteen patients, with two infrabony defects &ge;3 mm deep, were selected for the present study. Patients were allocated randomly to be treated with ABM/P-15 or GTR. At baseline and at 6 months after surgery, clinical and radiographic parameters and IL-1&beta; and IL-6 gingival fluid concentrations were recorded. Results: There was a significant PD reduction (P<0.001) for both groups (2.27±0.96 mm for ABM/P-15 group and 2.57±1.06 mm for GTR group) A CAL gain (1.87±0.94 mm for ABM/P-15 group and 2.09±0.88 mm for GTR group) was observed. In between-group comparisons, there were no statistical significant differences in clinical parameters. The radiographic bone fill was more expressive in ABM/P-15 group (2.49 mm) than in GTR group (0.73 mm). In subtraction radiographs, the areas representing gain in density were 93.16% of the baseline defect for ABM/P-15 group versus 62.03% in GRT group. There were no statiscally significant differences in between and intra-group comparison with regard to IL-1&beta; and IL-6 quantification. Conclusion: Treatment of infrabony periodontal defects in patients with G-AgP with ABM/P-15 and GTR significantly improved clinical outcomes. The use of ABM/P-15 promoted a better radiographic bone fill.

Introdução: As periodontites agressivas (PAg) compõem um grupo de formas rapidamente progressivas da doença periodontal. A restauração do periodonto é um objetivo da terapia periodontal, sendo a regeneração tecidual guiada (RTG) e o uso de substitutos ósseos técnicas bem documentadas. Em pesquisas recentes, foi demonstrado o envolvimento de uma cadeia de 15 aminoácidos do colágeno (P-15) na diferenciação celular de fibroblastos e osteoblastos. A associação de matriz óssea inorgânica bovina com o P-15 (MOI/P-15) tem apresentado bons resultados. O objetivo dessa pesquisa foi avaliar a eficácia da MOI/P-15 no tratamento de defeitos periodontais infra-ósseos em pacientes com periodontite agressiva, tendo como controle o uso de membrana de PTFEe com reforço de titânio Metodologia: Foram selecionados 15 pacientes com PAg, com pelo menos dois defeitos periodontais infra-ósseos (profundidade de sondagem (PS)&ge;4mm e componente infra-ósseo&ge;3mm). Foi adotado o modelo boca dividida, sendo realizadas cirurgias regenerativas com MOI/P-15 (GT) de um lado e membrana de PTFEe (GC) do outro. As medidas clínicas de PS, nível de inserção relativo (NIR) e recessão gengival (RG) foram registradas no exame inicial e após 6 meses. Exames radiográficos padronizados foram feitos no exame inicial e após 3 e 6 meses e radiografias de subtração foram realizadas. Medidas lineares e de área foram registradas. Foram colhidas amostras do fluido gengival antes da cirurgia e aos 3 e 6 meses pós-operatórios e a presença de interleucina 1 beta (IL-1&beta;) e interleucina 6 (IL-6) foi quantificada através de ensaio imunoenzimático. Resultados: Houve redução significativa na PS, de 2,27±0,96 mm (P<0,001) para o GT e de 2,57±1,06 mm para o GC (P<0,001); aumento significativo no NIR, de 1,87±0,94 mm (P<0,001) para o GT e 2,09±0,88 mm (P<0,001) para o GC; e aumento significativo na RG, de 0,58±0,29 mm (P<0,001) para GT e 0,64±0,47 mm (P<0,001) para o GC. Não foram observadas diferenças estatisticamente significantes entre os grupos em nenhum dos parâmetros, tanto no exame inicial quanto após 6 meses. Na análise radiográfica, as radiografias de subtração apresentaram ganho médio de área radiopaca em relação ao defeito inicial de 93,16% para o GT, contra 62,03% para o GC. O preenchimento radiográfico do defeito foi maior (P=0,002). para GT (2,49 mm) que para GC (0.,73 mm). Houve um aumento progressivo da densidade radiográfica para ambos os grupos, sem diferenças estatisticamente significantes. Na análise das citocinas, não foram observadas diferenças estatisticamente significantes nas comparações intra e entre os grupos. Conclusão: No tratamento de defeitos infra-ósseos em pacientes com PAg-G, em um período de 6 meses, não foram observadas diferenças significantes entre as duas modalidades terapêuticas avaliadas (MOI/P-15 e RTG) quanto aos parâmetros clínicos e quantificação de citocinas. GT apresentou preenchimento radiográfico do defeito superior ao apresentado por GC. / Background: Intrabony periodontal defects present a particular treatment problem, especially in patients with Generalized Aggressive Periodontitis (G-AgP).Researches have been performed in order to improve the results of regenerative procedures. Material and Methods: The aim of this study was to compare outcomes of intrabony periodontal defects following treatment with anorganic bone matrix/cell binding peptide (ABM/P-15) to guided tissue regeneration (GTR) in patients with GAgP. Fifteen patients, with two infrabony defects &ge;3 mm deep, were selected for the present study. Patients were allocated randomly to be treated with ABM/P-15 or GTR. At baseline and at 6 months after surgery, clinical and radiographic parameters and IL-1&beta; and IL-6 gingival fluid concentrations were recorded. Results: There was a significant PD reduction (P<0.001) for both groups (2.27±0.96 mm for ABM/P-15 group and 2.57±1.06 mm for GTR group) A CAL gain (1.87±0.94 mm for ABM/P-15 group and 2.09±0.88 mm for GTR group) was observed. In between-group comparisons, there were no statistical significant differences in clinical parameters. The radiographic bone fill was more expressive in ABM/P-15 group (2.49 mm) than in GTR group (0.73 mm). In subtraction radiographs, the areas representing gain in density were 93.16% of the baseline defect for ABM/P-15 group versus 62.03% in GRT group. There were no statiscally significant differences in between and intra-group comparison with regard to IL-1&beta; and IL-6 quantification. Conclusion: Treatment of infrabony periodontal defects in patients with G-AgP with ABM/P-15 and GTR significantly improved clinical outcomes. The use of ABM/P-15 promoted a better radiographic bone fill.

Broad distribution and activity limit the utility of anti-cancer compounds by causing unacceptable systemic toxicity and narrow therapeutic indices. To improve tumour accumulation, drug-loaded macromolecular assemblies have been designed to replace conventional surfactant-based formulations. Their nanoscale size enhances tumour accumulation via hyperpermeable vasculature and reduced lymphatic drainage. Incorporating targeting ligands introduces cell specificity through receptor-specific binding and uptake, enabling drugs to reach intracellular targets. In this work, the targeting properties of polymer nanoparticle micelles of poly(2-methyl-2-carboxytrimethylene carbonate-co-D,L-lactide)-graft-poly(ethylene glycol)-furan (poly(TMCC-co-LA)-g-PEG) were verified using in vitro and in vivo models of breast cancer. To select a relevant mouse model, the vascular and lymphovascular properties of two tumour xenograft models were compared. Greater accumulation of a model nanocarrier was observed in orthotopic mammary fat pad (MFP) tumours than size matched ectopic subcutaneous tumours, suggesting that the organ environment influenced the underlying pathophysiology. Immunostaining revealed greater vascular thickness, density and size, and thinner basement membranes in MFP tumours, likely contributing to greater blood perfusion and vascular permeability. Based on these observations, MFP tumour-bearing mice were used to characterize the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of a taxol drug, docetaxel, encapsulated in poly(TMCC-co-LA)-g-PEG nanoparticles. The nanoparticle formulation demonstrated longer docetaxel circulation in plasma compared to the conventional surfactant-based formulation. As a result, greater docetaxel retention was uniquely measured in tumour tissue, extending exposure of tumour cells to the active compound and suggesting potential for increased anti-cancer efficacy. Furthermore, active targeting of antibody-modified nanoparticles to live cells was shown to be selective and receptor-specific. Binding isotherms were used to quantify the impact of antibody density on binding strength. The equilibrium binding constant increased linearly with the average number of antibodies per particle, which is consistent with a single antibody-antigen interaction per particle. This mechanistic understanding enables binding behaviour to be adjusted in a predictive manner and guides rational nanoparticle design. These studies validate poly(TMCC-co-LA)-g-PEG nanoparticles as a platform for targeted delivery to cancer on both a tissue and cellular level, forming a compelling justification for further pre-clinical evaluation of this system for safety and efficacy in vivo.

Broad distribution and activity limit the utility of anti-cancer compounds by causing unacceptable systemic toxicity and narrow therapeutic indices. To improve tumour accumulation, drug-loaded macromolecular assemblies have been designed to replace conventional surfactant-based formulations. Their nanoscale size enhances tumour accumulation via hyperpermeable vasculature and reduced lymphatic drainage. Incorporating targeting ligands introduces cell specificity through receptor-specific binding and uptake, enabling drugs to reach intracellular targets. In this work, the targeting properties of polymer nanoparticle micelles of poly(2-methyl-2-carboxytrimethylene carbonate-co-D,L-lactide)-graft-poly(ethylene glycol)-furan (poly(TMCC-co-LA)-g-PEG) were verified using in vitro and in vivo models of breast cancer. To select a relevant mouse model, the vascular and lymphovascular properties of two tumour xenograft models were compared. Greater accumulation of a model nanocarrier was observed in orthotopic mammary fat pad (MFP) tumours than size matched ectopic subcutaneous tumours, suggesting that the organ environment influenced the underlying pathophysiology. Immunostaining revealed greater vascular thickness, density and size, and thinner basement membranes in MFP tumours, likely contributing to greater blood perfusion and vascular permeability. Based on these observations, MFP tumour-bearing mice were used to characterize the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of a taxol drug, docetaxel, encapsulated in poly(TMCC-co-LA)-g-PEG nanoparticles. The nanoparticle formulation demonstrated longer docetaxel circulation in plasma compared to the conventional surfactant-based formulation. As a result, greater docetaxel retention was uniquely measured in tumour tissue, extending exposure of tumour cells to the active compound and suggesting potential for increased anti-cancer efficacy. Furthermore, active targeting of antibody-modified nanoparticles to live cells was shown to be selective and receptor-specific. Binding isotherms were used to quantify the impact of antibody density on binding strength. The equilibrium binding constant increased linearly with the average number of antibodies per particle, which is consistent with a single antibody-antigen interaction per particle. This mechanistic understanding enables binding behaviour to be adjusted in a predictive manner and guides rational nanoparticle design. These studies validate poly(TMCC-co-LA)-g-PEG nanoparticles as a platform for targeted delivery to cancer on both a tissue and cellular level, forming a compelling justification for further pre-clinical evaluation of this system for safety and efficacy in vivo.

Background Previously, we identified a major myeloid-derived proinflammatory subpopulation of human blood dendritic cells which we termed slanDCs (e.g. Schäkel et al. (2006) Immunity 24, 767–777). The slan epitope is an O-linked sugar modification (6-sulfo LacNAc, slan) of P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1). As slanDCs can induce neoantigen-specific CD4+ T cells and tumor-reactive CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, they appear as promising targets for an in vivo delivery of antigens for vaccination. However, tools for delivery of antigens to slanDCs were not available until now. Moreover, it is unknown whether or not antigens delivered via the slan epitope can be taken up, properly processed and presented by slanDCs to T cells. Methodology/Principal Findings Single chain fragment variables were prepared from presently available decavalent monoclonal anti-slan IgM antibodies but failed to bind to slanDCs. Therefore, a novel multivalent anti-slanDC scaffold was developed which consists of two components: (i) a single chain bispecific recombinant diabody (scBsDb) that is directed on the one hand to the slan epitope and on the other hand to a novel peptide epitope tag, and (ii) modular (antigen-containing) linker peptides that are flanked at both their termini with at least one peptide epitope tag. Delivery of a Tetanus Toxin-derived antigen to slanDCs via such a scBsDb/antigen scaffold allowed us to recall autologous Tetanus-specific memory T cells. Conclusions/Significance In summary our data show that (i) the slan epitope can be used for delivery of antigens to this class of human-specific DCs, and (ii) antigens bound to the slan epitope can be taken up by slanDCs, processed and presented to T cells. Consequently, our novel modular scaffold system may be useful for the development of human vaccines.