We have used humanized mice, in which human immune cells differentiate de novo from transplanted cord blood progenitor cells, to study the human immune responses to infection with Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Granulomas with a core containing giant cells, human CD68(+) macrophages, and high bacilli numbers surrounded by a layer of CD3(+) T cells a...

The most common clinical implication for the activation of the human pregnane X receptor (PXR) is the occurrence of drug-drug interactions mediated by up-regulated cytochromes P450 3A (CYP3A) isozymes. Typical rodent models do not predict drug-drug interactions mediated by human PXR because of species differences in response to PXR ligands. In the current study, a PXR-humanized mouse model was ...

We have humanized two monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs), hu-BrE-3 and hu-Mc3, that are bound to two different antigens of the breast epithelial cell. They bind to the breast epithelial mucin (M(r) 400,000) and the BA46 antigen (M(r) 46,000). They could participate in a joint radioimmunotherapy strategy administering repeated or fractionated dosages, where increased irradiation could be delivered by...

Animal models have been instrumental in increasing the understanding of human physiology, particularly immunity. However, these animal models have been limited by practical considerations and genetic diversity. The creation of humanized mice that carry partial or complete human physiological systems may help overcome these obstacles. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases con...

The spore-forming bacterium Clostridium difficile represents the principal cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis worldwide. C. difficile infection (CDI) is mediated by 2 bacterial toxins, A and B; neutralizing these toxins with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) provides a potential nonantibiotic strategy for combating the rising prevalence, severity, and recurrence of CDI....

Objective: to understand the knowledge and actions of the nursing team about humanized care in a Neonatal Intensive Care Center. Methods: qualitative research carried out with 14 nurses and 20 nursing technicians working in a public institution. Semi-structured interview and content analysis were applied. Results: three thematic categories emerged: Humanized care to the newborn; Welcoming the n...

A DNA vaccine encoding prM and E protein has been shown to induce protection against Zika virus (ZIKV) infection in mice and monkeys. However, its effectiveness in humans remains undefined. Moreover, identification of which immune cell types are specifically infected in humans is unclear. We show that human myeloid cells and B cells are primary targets of ZIKV in humanized mice. We also show th...

Murine monoclonal antibody V5B2 which specifically recognizes the pathogenic form of the prion protein represents a potentially valuable tool in diagnostics or therapy of prion diseases. As murine antibodies elicit immune response in human, only modified forms can be used for therapeutic applications. We humanized a single-chain V5B2 antibody using variable domain resurfacing approach guided by...

The chimeric antiganglioside GM2 monoclonal antibody (MAb) KM966, which showed high effector functions such as complement-dependent cytotoxicity and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), potently suppressed growth and metastases of GM2-positive human cancer cells inoculated into mice. To further improve the therapeutic efficacy of the anti-GM2 MAb in humans, we constructed a humanize...

Objective. This study sought to understand the meaning of humanized care for those directly participating in it. Methodology. This was qualitative research with phenomenological interpretative approach conducted in Medellín, Colombia, during 2013. It included 16 participants among nurses, adult patients, and relatives. To gather the information, in-depth interviews were used; data analysis was ...