Biosensing Cytokine IL-6: A Comparative Analysis of Natural and Synthetic Receptors.
BIOSENSORS-BASEL 2020;
10:bios10090106. [PMID:
32847008 PMCID:
PMC7557795 DOI:
10.3390/bios10090106]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cytokines are a family of proteins which play a major role in the regulation of the immune system and the development of several diseases, from rheumatoid arthritis to cancer and, more recently, COVID-19. Therefore, many efforts are currently being developed to improve therapy and diagnosis, as well as to produce inhibitory drugs and biosensors for a rapid, minimally invasive, and effective detection. In this regard, even more efficient cytokine receptors are under investigation. In this paper we analyze a set of IL-6 cytokine receptors, investigating their topological features by means of a theoretical approach. Our results suggest a topological indicator that may help in the identification of those receptors having the highest complementarity with the protein, a feature expected to ensure a stable binding. Furthermore, we propose and discuss the use of these receptors in an idealized experimental setup.
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