A rationally designed agonist antibody fragment that functionally mimics thrombopoietin

By using rational design, antibody fragments (Fabs) that mimic thrombopoietin (TPO) were created. A peptide with cMpl receptor-binding capability was grafted into different complementarity-determining regions of a fully human Fab scaffold. Functional presentation of the peptide was optimized by using phage display and cell-based panning. Select antibodies and fragments containing two grafted peptides were assayed for their ability to stimulate the cMpl receptor in vitro. Several candidates demonstrated agonist activity in an in vitro cMpl receptor signaling reporter assay, including Fab59, which was estimated to be equipotent to TPO. Fab59 additionally was able to effectively stimulate platelet production in normal mice. These rationally designed mimetic Fabs may provide a therapeutic intervention for thrombocytopenia while avoiding the potential generation of neutralizing antibodies to endogenous TPO. Furthermore, this study demonstrates a method by which short-lived linear peptides with binding activity may be converted to more stable and potent agonists capable of activating cell surface receptors

On the adsorption and reactivity of element 114, flerovium

Flerovium (Fl, element 114) is the heaviest element chemically studied so far. To date, its interaction with gold was investigated in two gas-solid chromatography experiments, which reported two different types of interaction, however, each based on the level of a few registered atoms only. Whereas noble-gas-like properties were suggested from the first experiment, the second one pointed at a volatile-metal-like character. Here, we present further experimental data on adsorption studies of Fl on silicon oxide and gold surfaces, accounting for the inhomogeneous nature of the surface, as it was used in the experiment and analyzed as part of the reported studies. We confirm that Fl is highly volatile and the least reactive member of group 14. Our experimental observations suggest that Fl exhibits lower reactivity towards Au than the volatile metal Hg, but higher reactivity than the noble gas Rn

On the adsorption and reactivity of element 114, flerovium

Flerovium (Fl, element 114) is the heaviest element chemically studied so far. To date, its interaction with gold was investigated in two gas-solid chromatography experiments, which reported two different types of interaction, however, each based on the level of a few registered atoms only. Whereas noble-gas-like properties were suggested from the first experiment, the second one pointed at a volatile-metal-like character. Here, we present further experimental data on adsorption studies of Fl on silicon oxide and gold surfaces, accounting for the inhomogeneous nature of the surface, as it was used in the experiment and analyzed as part of the reported studies. We confirm that Fl is highly volatile and the least reactive member of group 14. Our experimental observations suggest that Fl exhibits lower reactivity towards Au than the volatile metal Hg, but higher reactivity than the noble gas Rn