Antigen detection assay with parasite specific monoclonal antibodies for diagnosis of lymphatic filariasis

Background: Lymphatic filariasis is a painful and profoundly disfiguring disease. Infection is usually acquired in childhood but its visible manifestations occur later in life, causing temporary or permanent disability. The importance of developing effective assays to diagnose, monitor and evaluate human lymphatic filariasis has been emphasized by the WHO. Methods: High-affinity monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific for recombinant filarial antigen WbSXP-1 were developed. An ELISA based capture assay using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies for WbSXP-1 was used for detection of circulating filarial antigen. Results: High-affinity monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were developed that specifically binds both W. bancrofti and B. malayi mf antigens. Two mAbs (1F6H3 and 2E12E3) of subclass IgG2a and IgM showed high affinity, avidity and reactivity to recombinant and mf native antigen. Both the mAbs were used in combination as capture antibodies and polyclonal as detection antibody to develop the assay. The assay showed very high sensitivity towards W. bancrofti mf positive samples compared to endemic normal samples (P<0.0001). Conclusion: A capture assay using high-affinity monoclonal antibodies for WbSXP-1 was developed for the detection of filarial circulating antigen in clinical samples from bancroftian infection. Besides, this would also help in epidemiological studies in endemic areas of filarial infections. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cooperative Regulation of NOTCH1 Protein-Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase (PI3K) Signaling by NOD1, NOD2, and TLR2 Receptors Renders Enhanced Refractoriness to Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-beta)- or Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte Antigen 4 (CTLA-4)-mediated Impairment of Human Dendritic Cell Maturation

Dendritic cells (DCs) as sentinels of the immune system are important for eliciting both primary and secondary immune responses to a plethora of microbial pathogens. Cooperative stimulation of a complex set of pattern-recognition receptors, including TLR2 and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors on DCs, acts as a rate-limiting factor in determining the initiation and mounting of the robust immune response. It underscores the need for ``decoding'' these multiple receptor interactions. In this study, we demonstrate that TLR2 and NOD receptors cooperatively regulate functional maturation of human DCs. Intriguingly, synergistic stimulation of TLR2 and NOD receptors renders enhanced refractoriness to TGF-beta- or CTLA-4-mediated impairment of human DC maturation. Signaling perturbation data suggest that NOTCH1-PI3K signaling dynamics assume critical importance in TLR2- and NOD receptor-mediated surmounting of CTLA-4- and TGF-beta -suppressed maturation of human DCs. Interestingly, the NOTCH1-PI3K signaling axis holds the capacity to regulate DC functions by virtue of PKC delta-MAPK-dependent activation of NF-kappa B. This study provides mechanistic and functional insights into TLR2-and NOD receptor-mediated regulation of DC functions and unravels NOTCH1-PI3K as a signaling cohort for TLR2 and NOD receptors. These findings serve in building a conceptual foundation for the design of improved strategies for adjuvants and immunotherapies against infectious diseases.

String-like propagation of the 5-coordinated defect state in supercooled water: molecular origin of dynamic and thermodynamic anomalies

We find that at low temperature water, large amplitude (similar to 60 degrees) rotational jumps propagate like a string, with the length of propagation increasing with lowering temperature. The strings are formed by mobile 5-coordinated water molecules which move like a Glarum defect (J. Chem. Phys., 1960, 33, 1371), causing water molecules on the path to change from 4-coordinated to 5-coordinated and again back to 4-coordinated water, and in the process cause the tagged water molecule to jump, by following essentially the Laage-Hynes mechanism (Science, 2006, 311, 832-835). The effects on relaxation of the propagating defect causing large amplitude jumps are manifested most dramatically in the mean square displacement (MSD) and also in the rotational time correlation function of the O-H bond of the molecule that is visited by the defect (transient transition to the 5-coordinated state). The MSD and the decay of rotational time correlation function, both remain quenched in the absence of any visit by the defect, as postulated by Glarum long time ago. We establish a direct connection between these propagating events and the known thermodynamic and dynamic anomalies in supercooled water. These strings are found largely in the regions that surround the relatively rigid domains of 4-coordinated water molecules. The propagating strings give rise to a noticeable dynamical heterogeneity, quantified here by a sharp rise in the peak of the four-point density response function, chi(4)(t). This dynamics heterogeneity is also responsible for the breakdown of the Stokes-Einstein relation.

Halogen Bonding and Structural Modularity in 2,3,4-and 3,4,5-Trichlorophenol

The crystal structure of 3,4,5-trichlorophenol contains hydrogen bonded domains that occur respectively in the structures of 4-chlorophenol and 3,5-dichlorophenol. Such modularity is also seen in 2,3,4-trichlorophenol. These structures, and those of the six isomeric dichlorophenols, illustrate the importance of halogen bonding as a structure determining interaction.

(1S*,3S*,8S*,10S*)-10-Fluoro-15-oxatetracyclo[6.6.1.0(1,10).0( 3,8)]pentadeca-5,12-dien-3-ol

The title compound, C(14)H(17)FO(2), was obtained from anti-4a, 9a:8a,10a-diepoxy-1,4,4a,5,8,8a, 9,9a, 10,10a-decahydroanthracene via tandem hydrogen-fluoride-mediated epoxide ring-opening and transannular oxacyclization. With the two cyclohexene rings folded towards the oxygen bridge, the title tetracyclic fluoroalcohol molecule displays a conformation reminiscent of a pagoda. The crystal packing is effected via intermolecular O-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonds, which link the molecules into a zigzag chain along the b axis.

N-(2-Amino-3,5-dibromobenzyl)-N-methylcyclohexan-1-aminium p-toluenesulfonate

The title compound, C(14)H(21)Br(2)N(2)(+)center dot C(7)H(7)O(3)S, features a salt of protonated bromhexine, a pharmaceutical used in the treatment of respiratory disorders, and the p-toluenesulfonate anion. The crystal packing is stabilized by intermolecular N-H center dot center dot center dot O, N-H center dot center dot center dot Br and C-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonds.

(2E)-1-(5-Chlorothiophen-2-yl)-3-(2,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one

In the title molecule, C(16)H(15)ClO(4)S, the chlorothiophene and trimethoxyphenyl rings make a dihedral angle of 31.12 (5)degrees. The C = C double bond exhibits an E conformation. In the crystal, C-H center dot center dot center dot O interactions generate bifurcated bonds, linking the molecules into chains along the b axis.

3-Ethyl-4-methyl-1H-pyrazol-2-ium-5-olate

The title compound, C(6)H(10)N(2)O, is a zwitterionic pyrazole derivative. The crystal packing is predominantly governed by a three-center iminium-amine N(+)-H center dot center dot center dot O(-)center dot center dot center dot H-N interaction, leading to an undulating sheet-like structure lying parallel to (100).

Structure and Bonding in Stannadiphospholes and their Dianions SnC(2)P(2)R(2)(m) (R=H, tBu m=0,-2): A Comparative Study with C(5)H(5)(+) and C(5)H(5)(-) Analogues

The potential energy surfaces of both neutral and dianionic SnC(2)P(2)R(2) (R=H, tBu) ring systems have been explored at the B3PW91/LANL2DZ (Sn) and 6-311 + G* (other atoms) level. In the neutral isomers the global minimum is a nido structure in which a 1,2-diphosphocyclobutadiene ring (1,2-DPCB) is capped by the Sn. Interestingly, the structure established by Xray diffraction analysis, for R=tBu, is a 1,3-DPCB ring capped by Sn and it is 2.4 kcal mol(-1) higher in energy than the 1,2-DPCB ring isomer. This is possibly related to the kinetic stability of the 1,3-DPCB ring, which might originate from the synthetic precursor ZrCp(2)tBu(2)C(2)P(2). In the case of the dianionic isomers we observe only a 6 pi-electron aromatic structure as the global minimum, similarly to the cases of our previously reported results with other types of heterodiphospholes.([1,4,19]) The existence of large numbers of cluster-type isomers in neutral and 6 pi-planar structures in the dianions SnC(2)P(2)R(2)(2-) (R=H, tBu) is due to 3D aromaticity in neutral clusters and to 2D pi aromaticity of the dianionic rings. Relative energies of positional isomers mainly depend on: 1) the valency and coordination number of the Sn centre, 2) individual bond strengths, and 3) the steric effect of tBu groups. A comparison of neutral stannadiphospholes with other structurally related C(5)H(5)(+) analogues indicates that Sn might be a better isolobal analogue to P(+) than to BH or CH(+). The variation in global minima in these C(5)H(5)(+) analogues is due to characteristic features such as 1) the different valencies of C, B, P and Sn, 2) the electron deficiency of B, 3) weaker p pi-p pi bonding by P and Sn atoms, and 4) the tendency of electropositive elements to donate electrons to nido clusters. Unlike the C5H5+ systems, all C(5)H(5)(-) analogues have 6 pi-planar aromatic structures as global minima. The differences in the relative ordering of the positional isomers and ligating properties are significant and depend on 1) the nature of the pi orbitals involved, and 2) effective overlap of orbitals.

Microwave spectrum and structure of C(6)H(5)CCH center dot center dot center dot H(2)S complex

Rotational spectra of C(6)H(5)CCH center dot center dot center dot H(2)S, C(6)H(5)CCH center dot center dot center dot H(2)(34)S, C(6)H(5)CCH center dot center dot center dot HDS, C(6)H(5)CCH center dot center dot center dot D(2)S and C(6) H(5)CCD center dot center dot center dot H(2)S complexes have been observed using a pulsed nozzle Fourier transform microwave spectrometer. The observed spectrum is consistent with a structure in which hydrogen sulfide is located over the phenyl ring pi cloud and the distance between the centers of masses of the two monomers is 3.74 +/- 0.01 angstrom. In the complex, the H(2)S unit is shifted from the phenyl ring center towards the acetylene group. The vibrationally averaged structure has an effective Cs symmetry. Ab initio calculations were performed at MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ level of theory to locate the possible geometries of the complex. The calculations reveal the experimentally observed structure to be more stable than a coplanar arrangement of the monomers, which was observed for the C(6)H(5)CCH center dot center dot center dot H(2)O complex. Atoms in molecule theoretical analysis shows the presence of S-H center dot center dot center dot pi hydrogen bond. For the parent isotopologue, each transition frequency was found to split into two resulting from an interchange of the equivalent hydrogens of H(2)S unit in the complex. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Ethyl 6-methyl-2-sulfanylidene-4-[4(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahyd ropyrimidine-5-carboxylate

The title compound, C(15)H(15)F(3)N(2)O(2)S, adopts a conformation with an intramolecular C-H center dot center dot center dot pi interaction. The dihedral angles between the planes of the 4-(trifluoromethyl) phenyl and ester groups with the plane of the six-membered tetrahydropyrimidine ring are 81.8 (1) and 16.0 (1)degrees, respectively. In the crystal structure, intermolecular N-H center dot center dot center dot S hydrogen bonds link pairs of molecules into dimers and N-H center dot center dot center dot O interactions generate hydrogen-bonded molecular chains along the crystallographic a axis.

2-{[{2-Hydroxy-3-[2-methyl-5-(propan-2-yl)phenoxy]propyl}(pyridin -2-ylmethyl)amino]methyl}phenol

In the title racemic compound, C(26)H(32)N(2)O(3), an intramolecular O-H center dot center dot center dot N hydrogen bond is formed between the phenolic OH group and the tertiary amine N atom. Another O-H center dot center dot center dot N hydrogen bond that is formed between the OH group and the pyridine N atom links the molecules into a polymeric chain extending along the a axis. The structure is further stabilized by intramolecular and intermolecular C-H center dot center dot center dot O interactions.

(2E)-1-(5-Chlorothiophen-2-yl)-3-(2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one

In the title compound, C(15)H(13)ClO(3)S, the chlorothiophene and dimethoxyphenyl groups are linked by a prop-2-en-1-one group. The C=C double bond exhibits an E conformation. The molecule is non-planar, with a dihedral angle of 31.12 (5)degrees between the chlorothiophene and dimethoxyphenyl rings. The methoxy group at position 3 is coplanar with the benzene ring to which it is attached, with a C-O-C-C torsion angle of -3.8 (3)degrees. The methoxy group attached at position 2 of the benzene ring is in a (+)synclinal conformation, as indicated by the C-O-C-C torsion angle of -73.6 (2)degrees. In the crystal, two different C-H center dot center dot center dot O intermolecular interactions generate chains of molecules extending along the b axis.