Synthesis, Photophysical, and Biological Evaluation of Sulfated Polyglycerol Dendronized Perylenebisimides (PBIs)--A Promising Platform for Anti-Inflammatory Theranostic Agents?

A set of four water-soluble perylene bisimides (PBI) based on sulfated polyglycerol (PGS) dendrons were developed, their photophysical properties determined via UV/vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, and their performance as possible anti-inflammatory agents evaluated via biological in vitro studies. It could be shown that in contrast to charge neutral PG-PBIs the introduction of the additional electrostatic repulsion forces leads to a decrease in the dendron generation necessary for aggregation suppression, allowing the preparation of PBIs with fluorescence quantum yields of >95% with a considerable decreased synthetic effort. Furthermore, the values determined for L-selectin binding down to the nanomolar range, their limited impact on blood coagulation, and their minor activation of the complement system renders these systems ideal for anti-inflammatory purposes.

Bioluminescence assay for the highly sensitive detection of botulinum neurotoxin A activity.

This article describes a novel bioluminescence assay for detecting the proteolytic activity of Botulinum NeuroToxins (BoNT) in complex matrices. The assay is capable of detecting traces of BoNT in blood samples as well as in food drinks. The assay was responsive to BoNT/A subtypes 1 to 5, and serotype E3 in buffered solutions. It was responsive to filtered Clostridium botulinum supernatants and BoNT/A1 in complex with neurotoxin associated proteins in bouillon and milk (3.8% fat) down to 400 fM after 4 h RT incubation and in bouillon at concentrations down to 120 fM after 21 h RT incubation. In combination with an immunocapture/enrichment step it could detect BoNT/A1 in citrated plasma at concentrations down to 30 fM (1.2 mouse LD50 per mL). The simplicity of the assay, combined with a demonstrated ability to lyophilize the reagents, demonstrates its usefulness for detection of BoNT in non-specialised analytical laboratories.

Development and characterization of polyclonal peptide antibodies for the detection of Yellow fever virus proteins.

There is still a considerable need for development of new tools and methods detecting specific viral proteins for the diagnosis and pathogenesis study of the Yellow fever virus (YFV). This study aimed to develop and characterize polyclonal peptide antisera for detection of YFV-C and -NS1 proteins. The antisera were used further to investigate NS1 protein expression during YFV infection in mammalian cells. YFV target proteins were detected by all antisera in western blot and immunofluorescence assays. No cross-reactivity was observed with Dengue virus, West Nile virus, Tick-borne encephalitis virus and Japanese encephalitis virus. Nuclear localization of the YFV-C protein was demonstrated for the first time. Experiments investigating NS1 expression suggested a potential use of the YFV-NS1 antisera for development of diagnostic approaches targeting the secreted form of the NS1 protein. The antisera described in this study offer new possibilities for use in YFV research and for the development of novel diagnostic tests.