Current Medicinal Chemistry - Volume 14, Issue 6, 2007

Mathematical models are finding an increasing use in bio-medical scientific investigations as effective means of putting the interpretation of biological phenomena on a more quantitative basis. Besides the well established mathematical paradigm based on differential equations, another approach that takes full advantage of the steadily increasing computing power, is gaining increasing consensus: micro-simulation. Micro- Read More

Aminopeptidase N (APN)/CD13 is a type II metalloprotease that belongs to the M1 family of the MA clan, which consists of 967 amino acids with a short N-terminal cytoplasmic domain, a single transmembrane part, and a large cellular ectodomain containing the active site. APN has a molecular weight of 110,000. The APN exists in two forms namely the membrane aminopeptidase N and the soluble aminopeptidase N. Read More

Regulatory T cells (Treg) encompass a heterogeneous family of T cells implicated in maintenance of tolerance to self antigens. Treg cells might be qualitatively and/or quantitatively deficient in human autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis, graft versus host disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, type I diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. In animal models of autoimmunity, infusion of ex vivo-expanded Treg cells and Read More

Interferon (IFN) was the first cytokine produced by recombinant DNA technology used in wide-spread clinical treatment of infectious diseases as well as malignancies. The IFN clinical potential was clearly realized from the outset. However, IFN represents one of the most controversial drugs of our time, as remarkable cycles of promise and disappointment have affected its development and use. Considerable evidence regarding Read More

Imiquimod, the lead compound of the imidazoquinoline family of nucleoside analogues, has shown good efficacy against a variety of tumors of different origin. The mode of action of imiquimod and related compounds, which we have begun to understand in some detail in recent years, is complex and interesting inasmuch as it appears to comprise several presumably mutually enhancing components. Predominant amongs Read More

Human ABCG2, a member of the ATP-binding cassette transporter superfamily which transports a wide variety of substrates, is highly expressed in placental syncytiotrophoblasts, in the canalicular membranes of liver, in the apical membrane of the small intestine epithelium, and at the luminal surface of the endothelial cells of human brain micro vessels. This strategic tissue localization indicates that ABCG2 plays an important r Read More

Oxidative stress, characterized by an imbalance between increased exposure to free radicals and antioxidant defenses, is a prominent feature of many acute and chronic diseases and even the normal aging process. However, definitive evidence for this association has often been lacking due to recognized shortcomings with methods previously available to assess oxidant stress status in vivo in humans. Several in vitro markers Read More

During the last few decades, we have witnessed major improvements in the therapy of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). PAH is characterized by abnormal remodeling of the pulmonary artery (PA) and increased PA pressures, resulting in a high premature mortality. Intravenous epoprostenol was the first effective approach toward improving the symptoms and survival of PAH patients. New prostanoids have also Read More