Nanogold - IgY antibodies. An immunoconjugated for the detection of house dust mite (Dermatophagoides) allergens.

Conjugation of avian IgY antibodies to nanosensors has been extensively explored for the diagnostics of virus and parasite infection, as well as for the detection of pharmaceutically and toxicologically relevant molecules. However, to date this strategy has only been minimally applied the detection of allergens. In this study, gold nanoparticles (GNPs) were conjugated to a polyvalent IgY antibodies raised against Dermatophagoides group I allergens. GNPs were synthesized by HAuCL4 reduction using 1% trisodium citrate, and characterized them by absorption spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The most stable immunoconjugates were obtained with 18-nm monodisperse GNPs and a minimal concentration of 12.5 µg/mL of IgY at pH 7.5. The immunoconjugate was capable of detecting up to 1.5 µg of a total Dermatophagoides farinae protein extract in an immuno-dot blot assay. This immunoreactant conjugate represents a new tool for the detection and control of indoor dust mite allergens.

Composición química y capacidad anti-irritante de extractos de cuerpo entero de Ulomoides dermestoides (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) / Chemical composition and anti-irritant capacity of whole body extracts of Ulomoides dermestoides (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae)

Background: In traditional medicine of Central and South America, the tenebrionid beetle Ulomoides dermestoides is used as an a phrodisiac, for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and cancer. Recently was reported cytotoxic and genotoxic properties of non-polar extract of U. dermestoides; also anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity of aqueous whole body extract of beetle was reported, it suggests the existence of components with potential pharmacology use. On the other hand, it is necessary to identify those polar and non-polar extracts of U. dermestoides with anti-irritant properties for the membranes and blood vessels, which will be used in subsequence biological test and clinical assays. Objectives: The purpose of this research was to identify the chemical composition of methanolic and hexanic extracts of U. dermestoides, and to assess their anti-irritant capacity. Methods: The extracts were obtained from adult beetles of U. dermestoides. The chemical composition of the extracts was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and the anti-irritant effect of each extract was evaluated by means of a modified assay of irritation of the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of fertilized chicken eggs (HET-CAM); the results were expressed as irritation index (IR). Results: Six common compounds were identified in both extracts: limonene, myristic, palmitic, estearic, oleic, and linoleic fatty acids. But in the alone methanolic extract were found: 1-pentadecanol, alpha-pinene, beta-phellandrene and alpha-terpinene, whereas in the hexanic extract were found: 2-methyl-p-benzoquinone, 2,4-dihidroxy-1-ethylbenzene, 2,5-dimethyl-quinone, saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons and alcohols. The methanolic extract of U. dermestoides showed potential anti-irritant effect in the HET-CAM test (IR = 3.09 ± 0.11), similar to that observed with Nimesulida (IR = 2.05 ± 0.14)...