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In vivo biological activity of antioxidative aminothiazole derivatives.

For the development of novel antioxidants having therapeutic utility, a new series of condensed 4- and 5-aminothiazole derivatives has been synthesized using simple methods. Condensed 4-aminothiazoles were prepared by the reaction of alpha-bromolactams with thioamides in ethanol and 5-aminothiazole derivatives were obtained by the treatment of 3-(acylamino)lactams with a thiating agent such as phosphorous pentasulfide and Lawesson's reagent in pyridine. In vitro assay of the condensed 5-aminothiazole derivatives showed them to be potent inhibitors of lipid peroxidation. In order to evaluate these compounds in an in vivo system, we devised a simple and reproducible method in which the inhibition of characteristic behaviors induced by spinal injection of FeCl2 was expressed numerically. Compounds having strong in vitro activity protected the central nervous system form injury caused by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. The results suggest that the in vivo assay developed in this study should be useful as a screening method for antioxidants and also that condensed 5-aminothiazole derivatives are promising candidates for the treatment of traumatic and ischemic injury of the central nervous system.

Animals↗

Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction to detect avian encephalomyelitis virus.

A reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was developed and optimized for the detection of avian encephalomyelitis virus (AEV). A pair of primers was prepared based on the VP2 gene of the structural protein P1 region of the AEV genome. An avian encephalomyelitis virus-specific 619-base pair cDNA product was amplified by these primers from five reference/field strains of AEVs but not from 10 other avian pathogenic viruses and bacteria. The RT-PCR assay developed in this study was found to be sensitive and specific with as little as 10 pg of avian encephalomyelitis virus RNA detected using gel electrophoresis. Furthermore, AEV-RT-PCR was able to detect AE virus from chicken embryo brain at 3 days postinoculation as compared with the AE agar gel precipitation test (AGP), which required up to 11 days of incubation in the embryos.

Animals↗

A simple and rapid microplate assay for glycoprotein-processing glycosidases.

A simple and convenient microplate assay for glycosidases involved in the glycoprotein-processing reactions is described. The assay is based on specific binding of high-mannose-type oligosaccharide substrates to concanavalin A-Sepharose, while monosaccharides liberated by enzymatic hydrolysis do not bind to concanavalin A-Sepharose. By the use of radiolabeled substrates [( 3H]glucose for glucosidases and [3H]mannose for mannosidases), the radioactivity in the liberated monosaccharides can be determined as a measure of the enzymatic activity. This principle was employed earlier for developing assays for glycosidases previously reported (B. Saunier et al. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 14155-14161; T. Szumilo and A. D. Elbein (1985) Anal. Biochem. 151, 32-40). These authors have reported the separation of substrate from the product by concanavalin A-Sepharose column chromatography. This procedure is handicapped by the fact that it cannot be used for a large number of samples and is time consuming. We have simplified this procedure and adapted it to the use of a microplate (96-well plate). This would help in processing a large number of samples in a short time. In this report we show that the assay is comparable to the column assay previously reported. It is linear with time and enzyme concentration and shows expected kinetics with castanospermine, a known inhibitor of alpha-glucosidase I.

Animals↗

Application of a wheat seedling assay for detecting aneuploidy induced by N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea and 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide.

N-Ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) and 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO) were evaluated in the allohexapolyploid wheat seedling assay developed by Redei and Sandhu (1988), for its ability to induce aneuploidy and/or small chromosome deletions. The wheat strain used (Neatby's virescent) is homozygous for a pair of recessive alleles (v1) present on chromosome 3B and produces virescent seedlings grown at temperatures below 26 degrees C. When the developing embryos are treated with a test chemical, loss of chromosome 3B or its segment bearing the v1 allele in a progenitor cell produces a green sector in the leaf, whereas a gain of this chromosome induces a white sector. ENU and 4NQO induced dose-dependent increases in the frequency of leaf sectors at concentrations ranging from 0.128 to 1.280 mM and 0.052 to 0.263 mM, respectively. The assay is very simple and can be employed for evaluating the genetic potential of chemicals in a laboratory as well as for in situ hazards assessment under natural environmental conditions.

4-Nitroquinoline-1-oxide↗

High-throughput quantification of the anti-leukemia drug STI571 (Gleevec) and its main metabolite (CGP 74588) in human plasma using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

The signal transduction inhibitor STI571 (formerly known as CGP 57148B) or Gleevec received fast track approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). STI571 is a revolutionary and promising new oral therapy for CML, which functions at the molecular level with high specificity. The dramatic improvement in efficacy compared to existing treatments prompted an equally profound increase in the pace of development of Gleevec. The duration from first dose in man to completion of the New Drug Application (NDA) filing was approximately 2.6 years. In order to support all pharmacokinetics studies with sufficient speed to meet various target dates, a semi-automated procedure using protein precipitation was developed and validated. A Tomtec Quadra 96 (Model 320) and a protein precipitation step in a 96-well plate format were utilized. A Sciex API 3000 triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization interface operated in positive ion mode was used for detection. The method proved to be rugged and allowed the simultaneous quantification of STI571 and its main metabolite (CGP 74588) in human plasma. Herein, assay development, validation, and representative concentration-time profiles obtained from clinical studies are presented.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Amount of bleeding and hematoma size in the collagenase-induced intracerebral hemorrhage rat model.

The aggravated risk on intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) with drugs used for stroke patients should be estimated carefully. We therefore established sensitive quantification methods and provided a rat ICH model for detection of ICH deterioration. In ICH intrastriatally induced by 0.014-unit, 0.070-unit, and 0.350-unit collagenase, the amount of bleeding was measured using a hemoglobin assay developed in the present study and was compared with the morphologically determined hematoma volume. The blood amounts and hematoma volumes were significantly correlated, and the hematoma induced by 0.014-unit collagenase was adequate to detect ICH deterioration. In ICH induction using 0.014-unit collagenase, heparin enhanced the hematoma volume 3.4-fold over that seen in control ICH animals and the bleeding 7.6-fold. Data suggest that this sensitive hemoglobin assay is useful for ICH detection, and that a model with a small ICH induced with a low-dose collagenase should be used for evaluation of drugs that may affect ICH.

Animals↗

Advances in cystic fibrosis gene therapy.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The first cystic fibrosis gene therapy trials were carried out in 1993, and although proof-of-principle for gene transfer to the lungs was established, efficiency was generally low. The authors review the most recent advances in preclinical airway gene transfer and summarize the results from the latest clinical trials. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent clinical trials report encouraging results. Repeat administration of adeno-associated virus to the lung was safe. Nonviral nanoparticles used, for the first time, in the nose of cystic fibrosis patients were also safe and led to partial correction of the chloride transport defect in nasal epithelium. Important advances have been made in preclinical research, including the development of new viral and nonviral gene transfer agents and improved plasmid DNA. In addition, physical delivery methods, such a magnetofection and electroporation, are being assessed to improve nonviral gene transfer. SUMMARY: Considerable progress has been made in understanding and overcoming the problems associated with gene transfer to airway epithelial cells, the target cells for cystic fibrosis gene therapy. It has also been recognized that novel preclinical and clinical assays are crucial for the success of cystic fibrosis gene therapy, and considerable effort is currently being put into assay development and trial designs.

Cystic Fibrosis↗

Use of two in vitro methods for the detection of benzimidazole resistance in equine small strongyles (Cyathostoma spp.).

Ten stables were included in a study to evaluate two in vitro methods for the detection of anthelmintic resistance in cyathostomes by comparing a faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) to a larval development assay (LDA) and an egg hatch assay (EHA). The LDA was used in seven stables and EHA in the last three. On the basis of FECR values, resistance to benzimidazoles was detected in eight of the ten small strongyle populations. Resistance to pyrantel pamoate and ivermectin was not detected. The mean concentrations that inhibited hatching in 50% of the eggs (EC50), using thiabendazole (TBZ) in an EHA, were 1.02 microM in resistant populations and 0.37 microM in susceptible or suspected resistant ones. In the LDA, TBZ concentrations preventing 50% development by first/second stage larvae to the third larval stage (LC50) were 3.8 times lower than EC50 values in resistant worm populations. Mean LC50 for morantel, levamisol, ivermectin monosaccharide and avermectin-B2 in small strongyle populations susceptible to pyrantel and ivermectin was 8.0 microM, 0.99 microM, 15.6 nM and 2.93 nM, respectively. Data on pyrantel and ivermectin resistant populations could not be obtained as no resistant populations were detected. This study concludes that in vitro tests may be useful as a supplement to FECRT for the detection of benzimidazole resistance in cyathostomes, even if reference populations to be used as controls in the assays were not available. It is suggested that EC50 values for TBZ > 0.6 microM in LDA and > 0.5 microM in EHA strongly indicate benzimidazole resistance in equine small strongyles.

Animals↗

Development of an improved product enhanced reverse transcriptase assay.

A PCR based reverse transcriptase (RT) assay was developed that has 10(4)-fold higher sensitivity than conventional nucleotide incorporation assays and allows discrimination between false positive results generated by cellular polymerases and positives resulting from authentic RT activity. Recently, several reverse transcriptase (RT) assays have been developed where a reverse transcriptase reaction is performed on an RNA template/DNA primer combination. A specific region of the cDNA product is then amplified by the polymerase chain reaction to increase the sensitivity of cDNA detection. These reverse transcriptase assays up to 10(6)-fold more sensitive at detecting retroviruses than conventional methods. The drawback to these assays with increased sensitivity is the increased incidence of false positive results generated by cellular polymerases that can reverse transcribe. The MS2 bacteriophage RNA template and primers from one of the recently developed assays were used as the basis to develop the assay. A simple high resolution agarose gel was used as the endpoint for the assay without compromising sensitivity. In addition, the pH of the RT reaction was lowered to pH 5.5, the RT incubation was 1 h, and protease inhibitors were added to the RT reaction components. These modifications yield an assay that can discriminate between authentic RT activity and contaminating cellular polymerases.

3T3 Cells↗

Usefulness of specific IgE antibody tests: a progress report.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: To enable the readers to recognize some of the history, problems, progress, interpretation, and present status of assays for specific IgE (s-IgE) antibodies. DATA SOURCES: Peer-reviewed literature in the field. STUDY SELECTION: Key articles were selected by the author. RESULTS: Clinical and analytical studies have differed widely in their conclusions as to the performance of tests for s-IgE. Study conclusions depend on the testing method used, the allergen(s) studied, patient selection, and, most importantly, the standards used for comparison. Today, only a handful of the once commercially developed assays still exist, and some of these still do not compare well to an analytical ideal standard. However, with the extent of regulation and economic pressures, most of the surviving s-IgE tests are considerably improved over what had existed before them. CONCLUSIONS: Allergic diseases with multiple symptom patterns seem to be increasing in modern societies. Objective methods are needed to differentiate allergic origins from other mechanisms that cause similar symptoms. Accurate, quantitative, and objective methods for s-IgE measurement are now available and can be used effectively in clarifying allergic diagnoses when interpreted in conjunction with the clinical history.

Antibody Specificity↗

Development of a point mutation assay for the detection of human cytomegalovirus UL97 mutations associated with ganciclovir resistance.

A point mutation assay was developed to detect the quantitative prevalence of mutations at codons 460 (M to I; M to V), 520 (H to Q), 594 (A to V) and 595 (L to F; L to S) within the UL97 gene of human cytomegalovirus which segregate with ganciclovir resistance. Synthetic mixtures of wild-type and mutant plasmids containing the UL97 gene were amplified by nested polymerase chain reaction and the 700 base pair amplicon subsequently subjected to the point mutation assay. In plasmid reconstruction experiments, there was a high correlation between experimentally derived percentage mutant with the theoretical values. The assay was then used to assess the changes in the genetic composition of the UL97 gene in three patients on prolonged ganciclovir therapy. All three patients developed genotypic resistance against ganciclovir involving mutation at codon L595S, L595F and double mutation at codons L595F and M460I. In one patient, alteration of therapy to foscarnet did not affect the composition of UL97 and virus remained genotypically resistant to ganciclovir. In contrast, in two patients whose therapy was altered to cidofovir (HPMPC), repopulation with cytomegalovirus strains carrying the wild-type (ganciclovir-sensitive) codon at positions 595 and 460 occurred. The potential use of this assay for the rapid detection of cytomegalovirus resistance in patients on long-term ganciclovir therapy is discussed.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Validation of immunoassays used to assess immunogenicity to therapeutic monoclonal antibodies.

Immunogenicity has always been an important consideration in the evaluation of pharmaceutical protein biologics. In this article, method validation parameters relevant to enzyme immunoassays are described for assays applied to the analysis of anti-drug antibodies, with special considerations for immunogenicity to therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. Common strategies for experimental investigation of various validation parameters are proposed. In addition, a novel, yet simple, approach is proposed to categorize the validation effort into two mutually interdependent phases, based on the characterization of validation parameters as "system descriptive" or "system controlled". System descriptive parameters are those that must be characterized but need not have pre-specified acceptance criteria for assay validation. In contrast, system-controlled parameters should be understood early in assay development, and optimized and confirmed using a priori acceptance criteria in validation to assure sufficient control over them during routine bioanalysis. This approach not only streamlines the validation process but also eliminates unnecessary redundancies. This validation method can be achieved with proper scientific rigor and remain within the realm of GLP compliance. The authors hope that other research groups would engage in discussions on validation of anti-drug antibody assays in order to establish a consistent approach across the industry and academia.

Animals↗

Multicenter evaluation of the Bayer VERSANT HIV-1 RNA 3.0 assay: analytical and clinical performance.

BACKGROUND: The use of quantitative HIV-1 RNA assays is part of the standard of care for the management of HIV-1-infected individuals. OBJECTIVE: The Bayer VERSANT HIV-1 RNA 3.0 Assay (bDNA) was evaluated for reproducibility, linearity, limits of detection and quantitation, effects of potentially interfering substances and conditions, effects of plasma collection and handling conditions, clinical sensitivity and specificity, and biologic variability. STUDY DESIGN: Anti-HIV-1-positive specimens, patient specimens containing potentially interfering substances, and anti-HIV-negative specimens were collected from several HIV clinics, blood centers, or commercial companies across the United States. Specimen panels used to evaluate nonclinical performance of the assay were prepared at Bayer Diagnostics. Bayer Assay Development personnel performed 2 of the nonclinical studies-effect of freeze-thaw cycles using 'spiked' HIV-1 RNA-positive samples and effect of other disease organisms. All other studies were conducted at 7 external sites. In some of the studies performed, specimens were tested in parallel with the Roche AMPLICOR HIV-1 MONITOR version 1.0 PCR Test. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: The results of these studies showed that the Bayer Assay has excellent reproducibility, a broad linear range (75-500,000 HIV-1 RNA copies/ml), throughput of 168 patient results per two-plate run in a 22-h period, and few limitations for use. Because this test is designed for use only in individuals who are known to be HIV-1-positive, the clinical specificity of 97.6% is adequate for its intended use. These characteristics make it an attractive method for general laboratory use of monitoring HIV-1-infected patients.

Branched DNA Signal Amplification Assay↗

Development and evaluation of an HIV-1 transfection-neutralization assay.

We developed a transfection-neutralization assay for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infectious molecular clones. In this assay CD4 negative adherent cells, transfected in microtiter plates with fixed amounts of proviral DNA of molecular HIV-1 clones, are cocultivated with CD4 positive T cell lines or primary peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in the presence of anti-HIV-1 sera or monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). Results obtained with this technique were reproducible and compared favorably with a conventional cell-free infection inhibition assay. The transfection-neutralization assay obviates the need for virus stock preparation and, therefore, is particularly suitable for the evaluation of HIV-1 clones with slow replication kinetics and of recombinant chimeric HIV-1 clones inclined to undergo additional mutations during stock preparation. The potential value of this assay for the analysis of the specificity of neutralizing sera and MAbs was demonstrated in experiments with V3 chimeric molecular clones.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Plasma levels of bradykinin are suppressed in factor XII-deficient mice.

A genetically-transmissible factor (F) XII-inactivated allele has been produced in mice by targeted replacement of exons 3-8 of the FXII gene with the neomycin resistance gene. Interbreeding of these mice provided offspring homozygous for two inactivated FXII alleles (FXII(-/-)). Male and female FXII-deficient mice bred normally in all genotypic combinations of the heterozygous and homozygous states, and the offspring survived to adulthood, suggesting that a total FXII deficiency does not affect embryonic development and survival. Neither FXII transcripts nor FXII antigen was found in various tissues of adult FXII(-/-) mice. No obvious unchallenged coagulopathies were present in FXII(-/-) adult mice, despite greatly prolonged activated partial thromboplastin times in this mouse cohort. FXII(-/-) mice were then used to assess the in vivo importance of the plasma FXII/prekallikrein/kininogen pathway in provision of resting plasma bradykinin (BK) levels and in generation of plasma BK stimulated by contact with an artificial surface, using a new and greatly improved plasma BK assay developed during these studies. It was found that approximately 50% of resting BK, and all of the contact-stimulated plasma BK, was provided by this FXII-dependent pathway, without a requirement for FXI. These results provide clear evidence that surface-stimulated BK production, in mice, is dependent on the activation of FXII.

Animals↗

Rapid method for identification of chemopreventive compounds using multiplex RT-PCR for cyclooxygenase mRNA expression.

Inhibition of the expression of the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme has been associated with prevention or reversal of cancer development in several organs. Development of, or screening for, selective cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors is an approach for identifying chemopreventive agents. The aim of this project was to develop a rapid semi-quantitative multiplex RT-PCR for analysis of the expression of cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 genes relative to 18S, the housekeeping gene, in a 3-gene multiplex reaction. The optimal conditions for the 3-gene multiplex reaction were determined experimentally. Following RT-PCR, the amplified PCR products are analyzed by capillary electrophoresis-based LabChip and the Agilent 2100 bioanalyzer, which eliminates electrophoresis through ethidium bromide-agarose gels and normalization of band intensities using software programs such as Molecular Analyst. The multiplex RT-PCR assay developed here is a cost effective technique for routine application in laboratories that are screening natural or synthetic compounds for specific inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 as potential chemopreventive agents.

Automation↗

High level expression and structural characterisation of herpes simplex virus type I transcriptional activator VP16 (alpha-trans inducing factor).

We have developed a baculovirus expression system for the rapid and efficient production of large quantities (>10 mg/l) of VP16. The recombinant VP16 binds to a complex of host cell transcription factors and TAATGARAT motif. Secondary structure calculations from circular dichroism measurements indicate a content of 32.0 % alpha-helix and 17.5 % beta-sheet. This is the first structural CD analysis of VP16 which will be very useful for high-throughput assay development and mechanistic studies.

Baculoviridae↗

Circular dichroism analysis of insect cell expressed herpes simplex virus type I single-stranded DNA-binding protein ICP8.

We have developed a baculovirus expression system for the rapid and efficient production of large quantities (>5 mg/10(8) cells) of ICP8. The recombinant ICP8 is fully functional and binds to single-stranded DNA. Secondary structure calculations from circular dichroism measurements indicate a content of 34.5% alpha-helix and 15.4% beta-sheet. This is the first structural report for ICP8 using CD analysis, which will be very useful for high-throughput assay development and mechanistic studies.

Animals↗