0000000000951532
AUTHOR
Alberto Martínez
Genetically engineered hybrid proteins from Parietaria judaica pollen for allergen-specific immunotherapy
Background Despite the use of conventional allergen-specific immunotherapy in clinical practice, more defined, efficient, and safer allergy vaccines are required. Objective The aim of the study was to obtain hypoallergenic molecules by deleting B-cell epitopes, which could potentially be applied to Parietaria judaica pollen allergy treatment. Methods Three hybrid molecules (Q1, Q2, and Q3) derived from fragments of the 2 major P judaica pollen allergens, Par j 1 and Par j 2, were engineered by means of PCR. Hybrid structures were compared with their natural components by means of circular dichroism, and their biologic activities were compared by using T-cell proliferation assays. Their IgE-…
Long-term outcome and prognostic factors of unrelated cord blood transplantation in children with haematological malignancies: a retrospective study using the Spanish Working Party for BMT in Children (GETMON) database
Outcomes of unrelated cord blood transplants (UCBT) were assessed in 172 consecutive children, median age 5 years (range: 0.5-18), with haematological malignancies treated at nine Spanish hospitals between February 1996 and April 2009. Data were collected from the Spanish Working Party for Blood and Marrow Transplantation in Children (GETMON) database. ALL was diagnosed in 125 patients, AML in 43 and myelodysplastic syndrome in 4. Myeloid engraftment (ANC >= 0.5 x 10(9)/L) occurred in 87.2% at a median of 22 days and was associated with the total nucleated cell (TNC) dose infused and use of a TT-containing conditioning regimen. Cumulative incidence of relapse was 20% at 1 year post transpla…
Biological characterization of glutaraldehyde-modified Parietaria judaica pollen extracts.
Summary Background Allergoids are widely used in specific immunotherapy (SIT) for the treatment of IgE-mediated allergic diseases, but all techniques for standardization of conventional allergic extracts may not be appropriate for standardization of a glutaraldehyde (GA)-modified extract because of the unique characteristics of these extracts. Objective To assess an accurate methodology for standardization of chemically modified extracts. Methods GA-modified extracts from Parietaria judaica pollen were purified by diafiltration. Biochemical properties were investigated by determination of amino groups, chromatography, and SDS-PAGE. The IgE-binding activity was determined by skin prick test,…
Base Wine and Traditional Sparkling Wine Making Using Torulaspora delbrueckii Killer Yeasts
The killer strains of Torulaspora delbrueckii can be used to improve the dominance of this yeast during must fermentation. The present work analyzes its usefulness for traditional sparkling wine making (base wine and cava). T. delbrueckii killer strain dominated base wine fermentation better than non-killer strains and produced dried wines. The foam ability of T. delbrueckii base wines was very low compared to that of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Significant positive correlations of foam parameters were found with the amounts of C4-C16 ethyl esters and proteins, and negative correlations with some antifoam alcohols. The organoleptic quality of T. delbrueckii base wines was considered inap…
In Vitro and in Vivo Evaluation of Water-Soluble Iminophosphorane Ruthenium(II) Compounds. A Potential Chemotherapeutic Agent for Triple Negative Breast Cancer
A series of organometallic ruthenium(II) complexes containing iminophosphorane ligands have been synthesized and characterized. Cationic compounds with chloride as counterion are soluble in water (70–100 mg/mL). Most compounds (especially highly water-soluble 2) are more cytotoxic to a number of human cancer cell lines than cisplatin. Initial mechanistic studies indicate that the cell death type for these compounds is mainly through canonical or caspase-dependent apoptosis, nondependent on p53, and that the compounds do not interact with DNA or inhibit protease cathepsin B. In vivo experiments of 2 on MDA-MB-231 xenografts in NOD.CB17-Prkdc SCID/J mice showed an impressive tumor reduction (…
A sensitive monoclonal antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to quantify Parietaria judaica major allergens, Par j 1 and Par j 2
Summary Background Parietaria pollen is one of the most important causes of pollinosis in Mediterranean countries. Parietaria judaica pollen extract presents two major allergens, Par j 1 and Par j 2, that belong to the lipid transfer protein family. Objective To develop an ELISA for quantification of both major allergens of P. judaica pollen extracts, and to assert correlation of these allergens content with the allergenic activity of extracts. Methods Natural Par j 1–Par j 2 allergens were purified by gel filtration, ion exchange, and affinity chromatography and identified by mass spectrometry. Rabbit antisera were obtained using this protein preparation as antigen and used for immunoaffin…
CCDC 1008354: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination
Related Article: Malgorzata Frik, Alberto Martínez, Benelita T. Elie, Oscar Gonzalo, Daniel Ramírez de Mingo, Mercedes Sanaú, Roberto Sánchez-Delgado, Tanmoy Sadhukha, Swayam Prabha, Joe W. Ramos, Isabel Marzo, and María Contel|2014|J.Med.Chem.|57|9995|doi:10.1021/jm5012337