| 1. |
- Altgärde, Noomi, 1983, et al.
(author)
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Mucin-like region of herpes simplex virus type 1 attachment protein gC modulates the virus-glycosaminoglycan interaction.
- 2015
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In: Journal of Biological Chemistry. - 0021-9258 .- 1083-351X. ; 290:35, s. 21473-21485
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Glycoprotein C (gC) mediates the attachment of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) to susceptible host cells by interacting with glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) on the cell surface. gC contains a mucin-like region located near the GAG-binding site, which may affect the binding activity. Here, we address this issue by studying an HSV-1 mutant lacking the mucin- like domain in gC and the corresponding purified mutant protein (gCΔmuc), in cell culture and GAG-binding assays, respectively. The mutant virus exhibited two functional alterations as compared to native HSV-1, i.e. decreased sensitivity to GAG-based inhibitors of virus attachment to cells, and reduced release of viral particles from the surface of infected cells. Kinetic and equilibrium binding characteristics of purified gC were assessed using surface plasmon resonance-based sensing together with a surface platform consisting of end-on immobilized GAGs. Both native gC and gCΔmuc bound via the expected binding region to chondroitin sulfate and sulfated hyaluronan but not to the non-sulfated hyaluronan, confirming binding specificity. In contrast to native gC, gCΔmuc exhibited a decreased affinity for GAGs and a slower dissociation, indicating that once formed, the gCΔmuc-GAG complex is more stable. It was also found that a larger number of gCΔmuc bound to a single GAG chain, compared to native gC. Taken together, our data suggest that the mucin-like region of HSV-1 gC is involved in the modulation of the GAG-binding activity, a feature of importance both for unrestricted virus entry into the cells and release of newly produced viral particles from infected cells.
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| 2. |
- Jing, Yujia, 1985, et al.
(author)
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Heat-activated liposome targeting to streptavidin-coated surfaces
- 2015
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In: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Biomembranes. - : Elsevier BV. - 1879-2642 .- 0005-2736. ; 1848:6, s. 1417-1423
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- There is a great need of improved anticancer drugs and corresponding drug carriers. In particular, liposomal drug carriers with heat-activated release and targeting functions are being developed for combined hyperthermia and chemotherapy treatments of tumors. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the heat-activation of liposome targeting to biotinylated surfaces, in model experiments where streptavidin is used as a pretargeting protein. The design of the heat-activated liposomes is based on liposomes assembled in an asymmetric structure and with a defined phase transition temperature. Asymmetry between the inside and the outside of the liposome membrane was generated through the enzymatic action of phospholipase D, where lipid head groups in the outer membrane leaflet, i.e. exposed to the enzyme, were hydrolyzed. The enzymatically treated and purified liposomes did not bind to streptavidin-modified surfaces. When activation heat was applied, starting from 22 degrees C, binding of the liposomes occurred once the temperature approached 33 +/- 0.5 degrees C. Moreover, it was observed that the asymmetric structure remained stable for at least 2 weeks. These results show the potential of asymmetric liposomes for the targeted binding to cell membranes in response to (external) temperature stimulus. By using pretargeting proteins, this approach can be further developed for personalized medicine, where tumor-specific antibodies can be selected for the conjugation of pretargeting agents.
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| 3. |
- Kunze, Angelika, 1978, et al.
(author)
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Non-Invasive Acoustical sensing of Drug-Induced Effects on the Contractile Machinery of Human Cardiomyocyte Clusters
- 2015
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In: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science. - 1932-6203. ; 10:5, s. 1-10
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- There is an urgent need for improved models for cardiotoxicity testing. Here we propose acoustic sensing applied to beating human cardiomyocyte clusters for non-invasive, surrogate measuring of the QT interval and other characteristics of the contractile machinery. In experiments with the acoustic method quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D), the shape of the recorded signals was very similar to the extracellular field potential detected in electrochemical experiments, and the expected changes of the QT interval in response to addition of conventional drugs (E-4031 or nifedipine) were observed. Additionally, changes in the dissipation signal upon addition of cytochalasin D were in good agreement with the known, corresponding shortening of the contraction-relaxation time. These findings suggest that QCM-D has great potential as a tool for cardiotoxicological screening, where effects of compounds on the cardiomyocyte contractile machinery can be detected independently of whether the extracellular field potential is altered or not.
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