Articles Related to immunogenicity
Immunogenicity of Multiple Antigenic Peptides (MAP) Based on B and T cell Epitopes of E2 Glycoprotein of Chikungunya Virus in Murine System
Chikungunya is a viral disease caused by positive sense single stranded RNA virus. High fever, myalgia, arthralgia, body rashes are the characteristic features of Chikungunya transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. We aim to demonstrate that dominant epitopes of envelope E2 protein can be used for diagnostic purposes as well as vaccine design. Multiple Antigenic Peptide (MAP) approach was used based on B and T cell epitopes of E2 protein. Humoral and cell mediated responses were studied in outbred and inbred H-2d mice. Different groups of mice were immunized intramuscularly with or without adjuvant (CpG ODN and murabutide) in PLGA microspheres. MAP entrapped in microspheres with CpG ODN showed highest IgG peak titer (2,98,000) with IgG subclass, mostly IgG2a/2b distribution. MAP’s antisera showed significant immunoreactivity with individual peptides. During thymidine incorporation assay for T cells, all the MAPs showed high lympho-proliferative response. Cytokine profile was dominated by Th1 and Th17 response. Thus, all the MAPs showed high humoral and cell mediated response with CpG/ murabutide adjuvant. MAP’s antisera showed significant in vitro neutralization of CHIKV strain in vero cells.
Targeted Approach for Prostate Cancer Treatment: Synthesis and Characterization of Docetaxel-Loaded Perfluorocarbon Nanodroplets
The purpose of this study is to synthesize and characterize nanodroplets, loaded with docetaxel for treatment of prostate cancer under MR-guided focused ultrasound. Water insoluble docetaxel encapsulated in nanodroplets is expected to be delivered into tumors with greater efficiency while minimizing drug related systemic toxicities when used in combination with focused ultrasound. The sequence of our studies toward development and characterization of docetaxel-loaded nanodroplets is as follows. First, we developed methods for synthesis of ultrasound-responsive, docetaxel-loaded nanodroplets (Doc-nd) by a solid dispersion technique. Secondly, we characterized Doc-nd by its morphology and size distributions using a dynamic light scattering (DLS) method.