). Thus, this very sensitive assay provides the first evidence that the function of SC in sIgA complex is not to modify the affinity for the antigen. K A falls to 6.6 ؋ 10 5 M ؊1 when measured by calorimetry using detergent-solubilized LPS and IgA, suggesting that the LPS environment is critical for recognition by the antibody.

We have developed a generic transient transfection process at 100 L scale, using HEK293-EBNA cells and PEI as the transfection reagent for the production of recombinant IgG. The process, including large-scale plasmid preparation, expression at bioreactor scale, capture, purification and, if necessary, endotoxin removal allows reproducible production of more than 0.5 g IgG for in vitro and in vivo studies. We compared the performance of two HEK cell lines, investigated the effect of conditioned medium, optimized the DNA:PEI ratio and implemented a feed strategy to prolong the culture time to increase product yield. The transient transfection protocol developed enables a closed process from seeding culture to protein capture. The challenge of performing a medium exchange before transfection at large scale is solved by applying a continuous centrifugation step between the seeding bioreactor and the production bioreactor. After 7-8 days the harvest and capture is performed in a one-step operation using a Streamline expanded bed chromatography system. Following a polishing step the purified antibody is transferred to the final formulation buffer. The method has shown to be reproducible at 10, 50, and 100 L scale expressing between 5 and 8 mg L -1 IgG.

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TRPV1 is a non-selective cation channel gated by noxious heat, vanilloids and extracellular protons, and act as an important signal integrator in sensory nociceptors. Because of its integrative signaling properties in response to inflammatory stimuli, TRPV1 antagonists are predicted to inhibit the sensation of ongoing or burning pain that is reported by patients suffering from chronic pain, therefore offering an unprecedented advantage in selectively inhibiting painful signaling from where it is initiated. In this chapter, we firstly summarize the physiological and pathological roles of TRPV1 and then describe the pharmacology of TRPV1 agonists and antagonists. Finally, we give an update and the status on TRPV1 therapies that have progressed into clinical trials.

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