Three-dimensionally ordered macroporous molecularly imprinted polymers (MMIPs) were prepared by a combination of the colloidal crystal template method and the molecular imprinting technique. Traditional bulk molecularly imprinted polymers (BMIPs) were simultaneously synthesized with the same recipe as the MMIPs by using methacrylic acid as functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as crosslinker and chloroform as porogen. SEM and Brunauer − Emmett − Teller measurements show that MMIPs have a more regular macroporous structure, a narrower macropore distribution and a greater surface area and porosity compared with BMIPs. The isothermal and kinetic data of both polymers can be fitted with the Freundlich model and a pseudo-second-order equation, respectively. Their specificities to the template molecules are also similar. However, the binding capability, adsorption rate coefficient and internal effective diffusion coefficient of the MMIPs are higher than for the BMIPs when the particle size is above 54 m.
Non-structural proteins NS3 and NS5 of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified by dialysis. Two monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) named 1H7 and 2D4 against NS3 protein and three MAbs named 3C4, 3H7, and 3F10 against NS5 protein were generated by fusing mouse myeloma cell line SP2/0 with spleen lymphocytes from NS3 or NS5 protein immunized mice. Then activity of MAbs was characterized by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blot analysis, and indirect immunofluorescent assays (IFA). Our results demonstrated that all the MAbs showed high specificity and sensitivity in IFA at 1:100 dilution and in Western blot analysis at 1:500 dilution, which indicated that these MAbs against NS3 and NS5 proteins of JEV may be used as valuable tools for analysis of the protein functions and pathogenesis of JEV.
The current licensed adjuvant alum is found to be insufficient to induce cellular immune responses and a balanced Th1/Th2 ratio, which are desirable against cancers and microbial infections. Hence, it is encouraged to develop adjuvants which can simultaneously improve cell-mediated and humoral immune responses of the antigen and possess a favorable Th1/ Th2 balance. Herein, quaternized cationic carbon dots derived from biquaternary ammonium salt (BQAS-CDs) were newly prepared, and their adjuvanticity and biocompatibility were preliminarily explored in vivo. The developed BQAS-CDs are enriched in quaternary ammonium groups on the surface, which enable them to bind to and aggregate with the negatively charged ovalbumin (OVA). The resulting BQAS-CDs + OVA nanocomplexes dramatically enhance the uptake of antigen by the antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Compared to the conventional adjuvant alum, the BQAS-CDs + OVA nanocomplexes significantly increase the anti-OVA IgG2a and IgG2b levels and keep the level of the OVA-specific IgG1 antibody, inducing both robust Th1-and Th2-type immune responses. Furthermore, they stimulate the proliferation of OVA-specific CD4 + and CD8 + T cells. No significant alterations were observed in the hematological and histological parameters of BQAS-CDs + OVA-immunized recipients. These findings suggest the potential benefits of BQAS-CDs as an alternative adjuvant in the future.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.