The Application of Next Generation Sequencing in Phage Display: A Short Review

Phage display is a method of studying protein-protein, protein-peptide, and protein-DNA that uses bacteriophages to bind proteins with genetic information that encodes them. Phage display is a state-of-the-art technology for the production, identification, and engineering of fully human antibodies. Thus, many antibodies have been delivered to the medical community for research and clinical applications. In addition, next-generation sequencing to change their perspective on the mechanisms of human disease and has blended both clinical and basic research. Recent molecular biology techniques have greatly benefited from the development of this technique. Next-generation sequencing has created a potential and reliable platform for the development of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies, providing an unprecedented insight into library diversity and clonal enrichment. In this study, we will briefly outline the applications of next-generation sequencing in the biological sciences.

An Innovative Immunoanalysis Strategy towards Sensitive Recognition of PSA Biomarker in Human Plasma Samples Using Flexible and Portable Paper Based Biosensor: A New Platform towards POC Detection of Cancer Biomarkers Using Integration of Pen-on Paper Technology with Immunoassays Methods

Background: The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is one of the best markers for detecting prostate cancer. Rapid and real time recognition of PSA biomarker could be helpful in the early diagnosis and efficient treatment of prostate cancer. One of the usual methods to identify this biomarker is ELISA, which has a picomolar detection range but requires specialized personnel and also this technique is time-consuming and expensive. Methods: Cost-effective POC devices are great solutions because they are very cost-effective, sensitive and simple, do not require expert operators and have a high response time in a short time. With that in mind, in this work, a novel and simple label-free paper-based electrochemical immunosensor were designed by using conductive Ag-ink and designed directly by pen on paper technique on the surface of photographic paper, which is a suitable substrate for antibody immobilization, for rapid detection of PSA. Results: Based on the obtained results, under the optimum conditions, the synthesized Ag ink has a great substrate for antibody (Ab) and antigen (Ag) immobilization. The linear range was from 0.001 to 30 μg/L and the obtained low limite of quantification (LLOQ) was 0.001μg/L. This immunosensor also tested in human plasma samples, which had good analytical power. Conclusion: The proposed paper-based immunoassay could be a hopefully new and cheap tool for the diagnosis of other biomarkers.

Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors as Potential Tumor Biomarkers in Genitourinary Cancers: a Review Study

The genitourinary tissues express the different subtypes of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), which are involved in many physiologic and pathologic processes. New studies have indicated the significant role of nAChRs in multiple tumor-related properties in different types of malignancies. Genitourinary cancers (GUCs) represent a heterogeneous population of cancers, in both histology and approach to treatment. nAChRs are functionally expressed by a variety of immune cells, tumor cells, and tumor-associated cells in the microenvironment of GUCs. In the current review study, publications until May 2021 were included in the literature review to summarize the potential effects and clinical and experimental significance of nAChRs in GUCs pathogenesis. The results yielded substantial and some paradoxical evidence regard the role of different subtypes of nAChRs as potential regulators and predictive biomarkers for GUCs. The accumulated evidence demonstrated that nAChRs levels were increased in the GUCs samples, which provides clinically relevant information on utilizing nAChRs as a new biomarker to improve the prognosis of these cancers. Also, activation or blockade of these receptors may lead to different downstream signaling pathways and cause diverse effects. Regarding the significant global burden of GUCs, evaluation of these receptors and delineating their molecular mechanisms could enrich our understanding of the biology of GUCs and may have new opportunities for clinical impacts.

Advanced Materials for Immunosensing of Pharmaceutical and Drug Compounds

Real-time and accurate levels of pharmaceuticals undertake critical effects in the therapy process. Thus, reliable detection of pharmaceuticals is important for regulating the proper concentration of them to enhance the effectiveness and to decrease possible side effects. However, the development of new reliable sensory systems is the main prerequisite for the mentioned aims. Immunosensors can be regarded as an effective tool due to their sensitivity and unique specificity originating from the intrinsic nature of the antigen-antibody interaction. This review reports material tendencies in the development of immunosensors for pharmaceuticals (veterinary and human) which have been reported in the last few years. Carbon-based (graphene, graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes, etc.), gold, and magnetic materials are the main materials for the fabrication of pharmaceutical immunosensors. Also, this review reports benefits and limitations on the reported immunosensor and mechanism and analytical performance of the immunoplatforms to address future researches.

Production and Verification of Anti-Tumor Activity of Monoclonal Anti-EGFR-Recombinant PE38 Immunotoxin in A431 Tumor Cells

Background: Tumor growth and progression depend largely on the activity of cell membrane receptors like epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). This receptor plays a significant role in the growth and survival of many solid tumors. Its biological feature makes it a highly appealing target for cancer treatment. On the other hand, immunotherapy is an efficient approach in cancer treatment, and immunotoxins have a predominant position herein. Thus, this approach can be used in high EGFR-expressed cancer therapy. Methods: In this study, the production of monoclonal anti-EGFR-recombinant PE38 was used as the special treatment against EGFR-activated cancers. For this purpose, the A431 cell line originating from a squamous carcinoma was used. In order the production of this immunotoxin, the toxin was conjugated with an antibody by chemical method. To confirm conjugation and its purity, SDS-PAGE was performed by immunotoxin electrophoresis. Then, the antitumor effects of immunotoxin in the induction of apoptosis of tumoral cells were assessed by the ELISA method. Results: The conjugation and purity of immunotoxin were confirmed by immunotoxin electrophoresis. Also, the ELISA results indicate that the produced immunotoxin induced 62% antigen-specific apoptosis (P <0.0001) in tumoral cells compared to the control cells. Conclusion: To conclude, our study provides a promising therapeutic approach against EGFR-associated cancers and our individual immunotoxin can be used in the treatment of tumors with membranous EGFR.

Immunoinformatics: A Basic Bibliometric Analysis

Background: Traditionally, immunologists have been using experimental methods for a long time, which have generated functional, clinical and epidemiological data. So, it is inevitable to develop and apply novel computational approaches to collect, store, analyze, and report the latent knowledge behind these data. Immunoinformatics as a new-emerging field uses computational tools that cover multi dimensions of bioinformatics such as databases management and development definition of both structural and functional signatures and the modeling of predictive algorithms. Recently, with the dramatic growth in research documents publishing, the need for new methodologies to structure and visualize knowledge emerged. Methods: Capability to analyze huge amounts of published items with a detailed level of granularity and report statistical, mathematical and visual knowledge within it, introduced an approach called bibliometrics analysis. According to the best of our knowledge, there isn’t any bibliometrics analysis based on immunoinformatics keyword. So, the aim of current study was to perform a brief and basic bibliometrics analysis on the immunoinformatics publications to report the most influencers on this field by statistical and mathematical methods to identify key authors, titles, keywords and other parameters that extracted from publication’s metadata. Results: Results were summarized in statistical tables and diagrams. It was revealed that the immunoinformatics is a relatively novel field and the time trends showed that the strategic research plans can be directed to expand this field. Conclusion: We can conclude that the future is the age of immunoinformatics for immunologists and related specialties.

ImmunoAnalysis: A New Journal to Publish Peer-Reviewed Manuscripts in the Fields of Pharmaceutical Analysis and Immunology

The immunoassay area in clinical chemistry began with the development of the first immunoassay for insulin by Solomon Berson and Rosalyn S. Yalow in 1959. Their work resulted in their receipt of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1977. The radioimmunoassay for insulin has paved the way for the development of immunoassays for thousands of other analytes over the ensuing half a century. A decision by Drs. Berson and Yalow to not patent this technology accelerated the progress of immunoassay development. Immunoassay technology continues to evolve with new applications and improved analytical platforms. The future appears to be headed in two directions: continued improvement in immunodetection methods for very high-sensitivity applications, and multiplex analysis. During 1995–2021, a wide range of immunoassays has been developed to provide the quantitative, semi-quantitative, or qualitative detection of analytes in various bioanalytical settings, such as clinical diagnostics, biopharmaceutical analysis, environmental monitoring, security, and food testing. However, there is only one specialized journal in this field namely "Journal of Immunoassay and Immunochemistry". ImmunoAnalysis as the second journal in this field will provide a platform for the publication of studies on all scientific aspects of immune analysis, including developing bioanalytical methods such as quantification of small molecules, peptides, proteins, antibodies, biomarkers, and immunoassay methods, and studies in immunology field such as innate immunity and inflammation; immune receptors, cellular and systemic immunity; vaccines; immune tolerance; autoimmunity, tumor immunology, and microbial immunopathology. It is a peer-reviewed, platinum open access journal (no processing or publication fees) intended to maintain the highest possible global scientific standards. We acknowledge the support from TUOMS press in making use of their facilities and for hosting the journal. The members of the editorial board by using their wide range of perspectives and expertise make a journal that will be an indispensable resource and a sum of parts offering something new to forthcoming studies. We have been buoyed and empowered by their supports. Crucially, of course, those reviewers who will spend their time and energy to assess submissions are a fundamental part of this endeavor. Finally, starting this journal is not meant to provide just another "outlet" for papers, but stems from the ambition to continue, develop and start important discussions in the field of immune analysis. We warmly invite you to join us as reviewers and authors to speed up the growth of this journal. The issues ImmunoAnalysis considers are yours.