Development of a technology for expression of recombinant human erythropoietin in cultured mammalian cells using alphavirus expression system

Currently there are no industrial eukaryotic expression systems other than transient expression from plasmids or expression from genes integrated into host genome. Both approaches (use of eukaryotic plasmids or chromosomal integration) suffer from poor scalability and often from poor yields. Although, in laboratory settings, effective means for transducing of cultured cells to express foreign proteins and for high-level transient expression were developed based on viral genomes. We thought to develop a scalable and suitable for industrial application technology for the production of recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) in mammalian cell cultures using an expression vector based on the genome of RNA virus

Development of a technology for expression of recombinant human erythropoietin in cultured mammalian cells using alphavirus expression system

Currently there are no industrial eukaryotic expression systems other than transient expression from plasmids or expression from genes integrated into host genome. Both approaches (use of eukaryotic plasmids or chromosomal integration) suffer from poor scalability and often from poor yields. Although, in laboratory settings, effective means for transducing of cultured cells to express foreign proteins and for high-level transient expression were developed based on viral genomes. We thought to develop a scalable and suitable for industrial application technology for the production of recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) in mammalian cell cultures using an expression vector based on the genome of RNA virus

Development of a recombinant foot -and-mouth disease vaccine

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is important disease of cloven-foot animals including cows and swine. Although annual vaccination against the FMD is mandated in regions of South Kazakhstan, outbreaks of the disease are registered every year. These outbreaks result in huge economic losses because international rules require culling of all the diseased and contacted animals and all products from these animals must be destroyed. Currently available anti-FMD vaccines are all produced using the original technology of inactivation of virus (foot-and-mouth disease virus, FMDV) grown in cell cultures. Recombinant anti-FMD vaccine is a long anticipated development in the industry because the recombinant vaccine is safe and compatible with diagnostic tests for discrimination of diseased and vaccinated animals (DIVA)

Development of a recombinant foot -and-mouth disease vaccine

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is important disease of cloven-foot animals including cows and swine. Although annual vaccination against the FMD is mandated in regions of South Kazakhstan, outbreaks of the disease are registered every year. These outbreaks result in huge economic losses because international rules require culling of all the diseased and contacted animals and all products from these animals must be destroyed. Currently available anti-FMD vaccines are all produced using the original technology of inactivation of virus (foot-and-mouth disease virus, FMDV) grown in cell cultures. Recombinant anti-FMD vaccine is a long anticipated development in the industry because the recombinant vaccine is safe and compatible with diagnostic tests for discrimination of diseased and vaccinated animals (DIVA)

Split core technology allows efficient production of virus-like particles presenting a receptor-contacting epitope of human IgE

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) plays a central role in type I hypersensitivity including allergy and asthma. Novel treatment strategy envisages development of a therapeutic vaccine designed to elicit autologous blocking antibodies against the IgE. We sought to develop an IgE-epitope antigen that induces antibodies against a receptor-contacting epitope on human IgE molecule

Split core technology allows efficient production of virus-like particles presenting a receptor-contacting epitope of human IgE

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) plays a central role in type I hypersensitivity including allergy and asthma. Novel treatment strategy envisages development of a therapeutic vaccine designed to elicit autologous blocking antibodies against the IgE. We sought to develop an IgE-epitope antigen that induces antibodies against a receptor-contacting epitope on human IgE molecule

Mycophenolic acid in the treatment of birdshot chorioretinopathy: long-term follow-up

Aim: To assess the long-term efficacy and tolerability of both derivatives of mycophenolic acid, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and mycophenolate sodium (MPS), in the therapy of patients with birdshot chorioretinopathy (BSCR). Methods: Retrospective analysis of 24 patients (48 eyes) with BSCR, treated with MMF or MPS with a follow-up of at least 1 year. The main outcome measures included control of inflammation, steroid-sparing potential and side effects. Secondary outcome measure was the development of retinal function during the therapy measured by best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), visual field and/or electroretinography (ERG). Results: Twelve patients (50%) were treated with MMF and 12 patients (50%) with MPS. Control of intraocular inflammation, defined as complete lack of clinical and angiographic signs of inflammatory activity, was achieved in 16 of 24 patients (67%). The angiographic signs of activity were significantly reduced during the follow-up (p0.05). In 20 out of 21 patients (95%) who received systemic corticosteroids, the corticosteroids could be tapered to a daily dose of ≤10 mg (rate 0.26/patient-year). Drug-related side effects occurred in 12 patients (50%, rate 0.16/patient-year). In four patients (17%), a therapy switch from MMF to MPS was undertaken due to gastrointestinal discomfort. Conclusions: Derivatives of mycophenolic acid are effective and safe drugs for the treatment of BSCR. In cases with gastrointestinal side effects, a therapy switch from MMF to MPS should be considered

Is cyclophotocoagulation an option in the management of glaucoma secondary to Fuchs' uveitis syndrome?

Glaucoma is one of the sight-threatening complications of Fuchs' uveitis syndrome (FUS) and the most difficult to manage. The goal of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of cyclophotocoagulation (CPC) in the management of glaucoma secondary to FUS. In a retrospective analysis, the charts of all patients with FUS referred to our clinic from January 2002 to December 2012 were reviewed. In patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension, controlled eye pressure was defined using two alternative upper limits of 6 ≤ IOP ≤ 21 mmHg and 6 ≤ IOP ≤ 18 mmHg at 1 year follow-up. One hundred and seventy-six patients with FUS were included in this study. Of those, 28 had ocular hypertension (OHT) or glaucoma. Mean maximal intraocular pressure (IOP) of patients with glaucoma/OHT was 40.8 mmHg. Twenty-three patients (82.1 %) had maximal IOP levels of 35 mmHg or higher. Sixteen patients with glaucoma/OHT underwent CPC alone (ten patients) or in combination with other surgical procedures (six patients). After 1 year, control of IOP for both upper limits (6 ≤ IOP ≤ 18 mmHg) and (6 ≤ IOP ≤ 21 mmHg) was achieved in six of ten patients (60 %) who received CPC alone, and in five of six patients (83.3 %) who required additional surgery after CPC. The mean number of cycloablative procedures was 1.3 (range 1-2) in the CPC alone group and 1.2 (range 1-2) in patients for whom CPC was used as adjunct therapy. There was no exacerbation of intraocular inflammation, no postoperative hypotony and no phthisis bulbi in the 16 patients who underwent CPC. CPC is a safe and effective procedure that should be considered if medical treatment has failed to control glaucoma in FUS