Publications by authors named "Francois du Plessis"

Safely achieving therapeutic expression levels with adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy is a significant challenge for treating the large muscle mass in humans. Non-human primates (NHPs) provide a more accurate assessment of the feasibility of achieving an effective and safe dose than rodents. Here, we compared a single systemic administration of AAV5, AAV8, or AAV9 in NHPs, each packaging the C5-12-microdystrophin-FLAG expression cassette.

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Due to the refractiveness of tumor tissues to adeno-associated virus (AAV) transduction, AAV vectors are poorly explored for cancer therapy delivery. Here, we aimed to engineer AAVs to target tumors by enabling the specific engagement of fibroblast activation protein (FAP). FAP is a cell surface receptor distinctly upregulated in the reactive tumor stroma, but rarely expressed in healthy tissues.

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The increasing frequency of climate-related hazards poses a significant risk to supply chains and marine insurance companies, which are already grappling with complex and interdependent global operations. Through a survey, this research examines the perceptions of an international cohort of marine insurers regarding their organization's participation in the Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM) framework for climate change. In addition, the influence of respondents' experience levels and the World Bank's country classifications by income level are investigated.

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Of the adeno-associated viruses (AAVs), AAV9 is known for its capability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and can, therefore, be used as a noninvasive method to target the central nervous system. Furthermore, the addition of the peptide PhP.B to AAV9 increases its transduction across the BBB by 40-fold.

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Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) has become the vector of choice for the development of novel human gene therapies. High-yield manufacturing of high-quality vectors can be achieved using the baculovirus expression vector system. However, efficient production of rAAV in this insect cell-based system requires a genetic redesign of the viral protein 1 (VP1) operon.

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Aim: Injury of tendons contained within a synovial environment, such as joint, bursa or tendon sheath, frequently fails to heal and releases matrix proteins into the synovial fluid, driving inflammation. This study investigated the effectiveness of cells to seal tendon surfaces and provoke matrix synthesis as a possible effective injectable therapy.

Materials & Methods: Equine flexor tendon explants were cultured overnight in suspensions of bone marrow and synovium-derived mesenchymal stems cells and, as controls, two sources of fibroblasts, derived from tendon and skin, which adhered to the explants.

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Protein translocation in Escherichia coli is mediated by the translocase that in its minimal form consists of the protein-conducting channel SecYEG, and the motor protein, SecA. SecYEG forms a narrow pore in the membrane that allows passage of unfolded proteins only. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the maximal width of the central pore of SecYEG is limited to .

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