Con base en estudios realizados previamente en los cuales se identificaron los residuos críticos para la unión de la secuencia 21 KNESKYSNTFINNAYNMSIR 40 del antígeno MSP-2 del Plasmodium falciparum, se diseñaron y sintetizaron dos secuen- cias de pseudopéptidos amida reducida en las cuales se sustituyó un enlace peptídico normal por su isóstero ψ[CH2 -NH] entre los residuos fenilalanina-isoleucina y entre los residuos isoleucina-asparagina, para dar lugar a los análogos codificados ψ-128 (forma monomérica), ψ-129 (forma polimérica), ψ-130 (forma monomérica) y ψ-131 (forma polimérica). Con los péptido-miméticos obtenidos en forma de polímero se inmunizaron ratones BALB/c para generar anticuerpos monoclonales que presentaron isotipo IgM. Mediante ensayos controlados de inmunización in vitro se indujo el cambio isotipo de los clones reactivos aislados de los hibridomas obtenidos de manera reproducible. Las inmunoglobulinas aisladas se ensayaron por su capacidad funcional neutralizadora de la infección controlada in vitro de cepas de Plasmodium de roedores a glóbulos rojos. Los resultados obtenidos evidencian el papel que pueden tener los anticuerpos inducidos por péptido-miméticos Plasmodium en ensayos de infección realizados en modelos animales de experimentación.

Based on previous studies in which those residues being critical for Plasmodium falciparum binding to red blood cells (RBCs) through the antigenic sequence ( 21 KNESKYSNTFINNAYNMSIR 40 ) from the merozoite surface antigen-2 (MSP-2) were identified, we have designed and synthesized two reduced amide pseudopeptide sequences based on the 31 IN 32 binding motif. Synthesized peptido- mimetics, possess each one a modified peptide bond that presented as a ψ [CH2-NH] reduced amide isoster bond, to allowing the Phe-Ile modified aminoacid pair allowing pseudopeptides coded ψ-128 (monomer form) and ψ-129 (polymer form) and the Ile-Asn modified aminoacid pair for pseudopeptides coded ψ-130 (monomer form) and ψ-131 (polymer form). By using the polymer forms of both peptido-mimetics as immunogens, monoclonal antibodies were produced in BALB/c mice. These Ig showed an IgM isotype. The isotype antibody switching was lead by in vitro immunization of the original hybridomas. Isolated immunoglobulins were tested for their functional in vitro activity, on a infection controlled experiment of rodent Plasmodium strains infecting red blood cells. Obtained results reveal the role played by anti- bodies to peptido-mimetic in infection assays performed further on animal experimental models.

The objective of this study is to understand the structural flexibility and curvature of the E2 protein of human papillomavirus type 18 using molecular dynamics (6 ns). E2 is required for viral DNA replication and its disruption could be an anti-viral strategy. E2 is a dimer, with each monomer folding into a stable open-faced β-sandwich. We calculated the mobility of the E2 dimer and found that it was asymmetric. These different mobilities of E2 monomers suggest that drugs or vaccines could be targeted to the interface between the two monomers.

Previous evidences reported by us and by other authors revealed the presence of IgG in sera of Schistosoma mansoni-infected patients to immunodominant antigens which are enzymes. Besides their immunological interest as possible inductors of protection, several of these enzume antigens might be also intersting markers of infection in antibody-detecting immunocapture assays which use the intrinsic catalytic property of these antigens. It was thus thought important to define some enzymatic and immunological characteristics of these molecules to better exploit their use as antigens. Four different enzymes from adult worms were partially characterized in their biochemical properties and susceptibility to react with antibodies of infected patients, namely alkaline phosphatase (AKP, Mg*+, pH 9.5), type I phosphodiesterase (PDE, pH 9.5), cysteine proteinase (CP, dithiothreitol, pH 5.5) and N-acetyl-ß-D-glucosaminidase (NAG, pH 5.5). The AKP and PDE are distinct tegumental membrane-bound enzymes whereas CP and NAG are soluble acid enzymes. Antibodies in infected human sera differed in their capacity to react with and to inhibit these enzyme antigens. Possibly, the specificity of the antibodies related to the extent of homology between the parasite and the host enzyme might be in part responsible for the above differences. The results are also discussed in view of the possible functional importance of these enzymes.