Development of a dot blot assay with antibodies to recombinant "core" 14-3-3 protein: Evaluation of its usefulness in diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

MicroRNA biomarkers as next-generation diagnostic tools for neurodegenerative diseases: a comprehensive review

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are characterized by abnormalities within neurons of the brain or spinal cord that gradually lose function, eventually leading to cell death. Upon examination of affected tissue, pathological changes reveal a loss of synapses, misfolded proteins, and activation of immune cells-all indicative of disease progression-before severe clinical symptoms become apparent. Early detection of NDs is crucial for potentially administering targeted medications that may delay disease advancement. Given their complex pathophysiological features and diverse clinical symptoms, there is a pressing need for sensitive and effective diagnostic methods for NDs. Biomarkers such as microRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified as potential tools for detecting these diseases. We explore the pivotal role of miRNAs in the context of NDs, focusing on Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Multiple sclerosis, Huntington's disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. The review delves into the intricate relationship between aging and NDs, highlighting structural and functional alterations in the aging brain and their implications for disease development. It elucidates how miRNAs and RNA-binding proteins are implicated in the pathogenesis of NDs and underscores the importance of investigating their expression and function in aging. Significantly, miRNAs exert substantial influence on post-translational modifications (PTMs), impacting not just the nervous system but a wide array of tissues and cell types as well. Specific miRNAs have been found to target proteins involved in ubiquitination or de-ubiquitination processes, which play a significant role in regulating protein function and stability. We discuss the link between miRNA, PTM, and NDs. Additionally, the review discusses the significance of miRNAs as biomarkers for early disease detection, offering insights into diagnostic strategies.

Pixel-Based Machine Learning and Image Reconstitution for Dot-ELISA Pathogen Diagnosis in Biological Samples

Serological methods serve as a direct or indirect means of pathogen infection diagnosis in plant and animal species, including humans. Dot-ELISA (DE) is an inexpensive and sensitive, solid-state version of the microplate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, with a broad range of applications in epidemiology. Yet, its applicability is limited by uncertainties in the qualitative output of the assay due to overlapping dot colorations of positive and negative samples, stemming mainly from the inherent color discrimination thresholds of the human eye. Here, we report a novel approach for unambiguous DE output evaluation by applying machine learning-based pattern recognition of image pixels of the blot using an impartial predictive model rather than human judgment. Supervised machine learning was used to train a classifier algorithm through a built multivariate logistic regression model based on the RGB ("Red," "Green," "Blue") pixel attributes of a scanned DE output of samples of known infection status to a model pathogen (Lettuce big-vein associated virus). Based on the trained and cross-validated algorithm, pixel probabilities of unknown samples could be predicted in scanned DE output images, which would then be reconstituted by pixels having probabilities above a cutoff. The cutoff may be selected at will to yield desirable false positive and false negative rates depending on the question at hand, thus allowing for proper dot classification of positive and negative samples and, hence, accurate diagnosis. Potential improvements and diagnostic applications of the proposed versatile method that translates unique pathogen antigens to the universal basic color language are discussed.

Review: Fluid biomarkers in the human prion diseases

The human prion diseases are a diverse set of often rapidly progressive neurodegenerative conditions associated with abnormal forms of the prion protein. We review work to establish diagnostic biomarkers and assays that might fill other important roles, particularly those that could assist the planning and interpretation of clinical trials. The field now benefits from highly sensitive and specific diagnostic biomarkers using cerebrospinal fluid: detecting by-products of rapid neurodegeneration or specific functional properties of abnormal prion protein, with the second generation real time quaking induced conversion (RT-QuIC) assay being particularly promising. Blood has been a more challenging analyte, but has now also yielded valuable biomarkers. Blood-based assays have been developed with the potential to screen for variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, although it remains uncertain whether these will ever be used in practice. The very rapid neurodegeneration of prion disease results in strong signals from surrogate protein markers in the blood that reflect neuronal, axonal, synaptic or glial pathology in the brain: notably the tau and neurofilament light chain proteins. We discuss early evidence that such tests, applied alongside robust diagnostic biomarkers, may have potential to add value as clinical trial outcome measures, predictors of future disease course (including for asymptomatic individuals at high risk of prion disease), and as rapidly accessible and sensitive markers to aid early diagnosis.

Antibody Engineering for Pursuing a Healthier Future

Since the development of antibody-production techniques, a number of immunoglobulins have been developed on a large scale using conventional methods. Hybridoma technology opened a new horizon in the production of antibodies against target antigens of infectious pathogens, malignant diseases including autoimmune disorders, and numerous potent toxins. However, these clinical humanized or chimeric murine antibodies have several limitations and complexities. Therefore, to overcome these difficulties, recent advances in genetic engineering techniques and phage display technique have allowed the production of highly specific recombinant antibodies. These engineered antibodies have been constructed in the hunt for novel therapeutic drugs equipped with enhanced immunoprotective abilities, such as engaging immune effector functions, effective development of fusion proteins, efficient tumor and tissue penetration, and high-affinity antibodies directed against conserved targets. Advanced antibody engineering techniques have extensive applications in the fields of immunology, biotechnology, diagnostics, and therapeutic medicines. However, there is limited knowledge regarding dynamic antibody development approaches. Therefore, this review extends beyond our understanding of conventional polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies. Furthermore, recent advances in antibody engineering techniques together with antibody fragments, display technologies, immunomodulation, and broad applications of antibodies are discussed to enhance innovative antibody production in pursuit of a healthier future for humans.