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Fanny Guzmán

Bio: Fanny Guzmán is an academic researcher from Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso. The author has contributed to research in topics: Peptide & Epitope. The author has an hindex of 28, co-authored 138 publications receiving 2328 citations. Previous affiliations of Fanny Guzmán include Valparaiso University & Sao Paulo State University.


Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The combination of chemical and enzymatic synthesis of peptides with proteolytic enzymes is probably the way to go, since the good properties of each technology can be synergistically used in the context of one process objective.

196 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This review is focused on antibacterial (against Gram (-) and Gram (+) bacteria) and antifungal peptides, discussing action mode of AMPs, and recent advances in the study of the molecular basis of their anti-microbial activity.
Abstract: In the last decades, the indiscriminate use of conventional antibiotics has generated high rates of microbial resistance. This situation has increased the need for obtaining new antimicrobial compounds against infectious diseases. Among these, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) constitute a promising alternative as therapeutic agents against various pathogenic microbes. These therapeutic agents can be isolated from different organisms, being widespread in nature and synthesized by microorganisms, plants and animals (both invertebrates and vertebrates). Additionally, AMPs are usually produced by a non-specific innate immune response. These peptides are involved in the inhibition of cell growth and in the killing of several microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, enveloped viruses, protozoans and other parasites. They have many interesting properties as potential antibiotics, such as relatively small sizes (below 25-30 kDa), amphipathic structures, cationic nature, and offer low probability for the generation of microbial resistance. In recent years, many novel AMPs, with very promising therapeutic properties, have been discovered. These peptides have been the base for the production of chemical analogs, which have been designed, chemically synthesized and tested in vitro for their antimicrobial activity. This review is focused on antibacterial (against Gram (-) and Gram (+) bacteria) and antifungal peptides, discussing action mode of AMPs, and recent advances in the study of the molecular basis of their anti-microbial activity. Finally, we emphasize on their current pharmacological development, future directions and applications of AMPs as promising antibiotics of therapeutic use for microbial infections.

146 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
22 May 2002-Vaccine
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that the use of QS-21 can substantially enhance the immunogenicity of peptide vaccines, such as SPf66, which has been found to induce only CD4+ T cell response, and exhibited the potential to also elicit SPf 66-specific CD8+ responses.

91 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The concept of multidiagnosis with synthetic peptides, using a novel multi-dot blot assay is introduced and this strategy is cheaper, simpler, reproducible, useful for large scale testing and in most cases, specific and sensitive.
Abstract: Parasitic diseases remain as a major public health problem worldwide, not only based on their historically high morbidity and mortality rates, but also because risk factors associated with their transmission are increasing. Laboratory diagnosis and particularly immunodiagnosis is a basic tool for the demonstration, clinical management and control of these infections. Classically, the serological tests for the detection of antibodies or antigens are based on the use of crude and purified antigens. Synthetic peptides have opened a new field and perspectives, as the source of pure epitopes and molecules for diagnosis of malaria, Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, schistosomiasis, hidatidosis, cysticercosis and fasciolosis based on the detection of antibodies and circulating antigens. Herein, are critically reviewed the relevant advances and applications of the synthetic peptides on immunodiagnosis of parasitic diseases. A variety of sequences, constructs (monomers, polymers, MAPs), immunological methods and samples have been used, demonstrating their diagnostic potential. However, in most parasitic infections it is necessary to use more than a single peptide in order to avoid the genetic restriction against certain epitopes, as well as to test them in well characteized groups of patients, in order to confirm their sensitivity and specificity. The concept of multidiagnosis with synthetic peptides, using a novel multi-dot blot assay is introduced. Finally, the chemical imitation of antigens, offers a tremendous posibilities in the diagnosis of parasitic infections in developing countries since this strategy is cheaper, simpler, reproducible, useful for large scale testing and in most cases, specific and sensitive.

82 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is shown that sera from dogs naturally infected with Leishmania infantum contain antibodies that specifically react against the parasite H2B and H4 histones, and the main linear antigenic determinants are located in the amino‐terminal domains of these histones.
Abstract: In this study we show that sera from dogs naturally infected with Leishmania infantum contain antibodies that specifically react against the parasite H2B and H4 histones. The Leishmania H2B and the amino-terminal region of the histone H4, expressed as fusion proteins, when confronted with sera from canine viscerocutaneous leishmaniasis (VCL) dogs, were recognized by 63% and 47%, respectively. No reactivity was detected when sera from dogs naturally infected with pathogens other than Leishmania were used. Using a collection of synthetic peptides covering the complete sequence of both proteins, we have determined that the main linear antigenic determinants are located in the amino-terminal domains of these histones. The humoral response against histones H2B and H4 induced during canine leishmaniasis was found to be specific for Leishmania histones, since no cross-reactivity of the VCL sera with mammal histones was observed. Also, a comparative study of the prevalence of antibodies among VCL sera against the four core histones of L. infantum was performed. Although a large heterogeneity of the humoral responses against these proteins was found, histones H2A and H3 seem to be more prevalent immunogens than histones H2B and H4 during canine natural leishmaniasis. The origin of the anti-histone humoral response and its possible implications in the pathogenesis of Leishmania infection are discussed.

66 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This review reports on the unexpected and considerable number of peptides that are currently available as drugs and the chemical strategies that were used to bring them into the market.

1,237 citations

01 Jan 2016
TL;DR: Methods Of Enzymatic Analysis is universally compatible behind any devices to read, and in the authors' digital library an online admission to it is set as public appropriately so you can download it instantly.
Abstract: Rather than enjoying a fine ebook as soon as a mug of coffee in the afternoon, instead they juggled when some harmful virus inside their computer. Methods Of Enzymatic Analysis is clear in our digital library an online admission to it is set as public appropriately you can download it instantly. Our digital library saves in complex countries, allowing you to get the most less latency period to download any of our books considering this one. Merely said, the Methods Of Enzymatic Analysis is universally compatible behind any devices to read.

1,136 citations

01 Jan 2016
TL;DR: This introduction to robust estimation and hypothesis testing helps people to enjoy a good book with a cup of coffee in the afternoon, instead they cope with some harmful bugs inside their laptop.
Abstract: Thank you very much for downloading introduction to robust estimation and hypothesis testing. As you may know, people have search numerous times for their favorite books like this introduction to robust estimation and hypothesis testing, but end up in harmful downloads. Rather than enjoying a good book with a cup of coffee in the afternoon, instead they cope with some harmful bugs inside their laptop.

968 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This review presents the outstanding contributions in field of biodegradable microspheres as protein delivery systems, their methods of preparation, drug release, stability, interaction with immune system and regulatory considerations.

826 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This review aims to highlight the range of injectable shear-thinning hydrogel systems being developed, with a focus on the various mechanisms of formation and shear -thinning and their use in biomedical applications.
Abstract: Injectable hydrogels are becoming increasingly important in the fields of tissue engineering and drug delivery due to their tunable properties, controllable degradation, high water content, and the ability to deliver them in a minimally invasive manner. Shear-thinning is one promising technique for the application of injectable hydrogels, where preformed hydrogels can be injected by application of shear stress (during injection) and quickly self-heal after removal of shear. Importantly, these gels can be used to deliver biological molecules and cells during the injection process. This review aims to highlight the range of injectable shear-thinning hydrogel systems being developed, with a focus on the various mechanisms of formation and shear-thinning and their use in biomedical applications.

698 citations