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Papers by Hans Meijer

Research paper thumbnail of Syringe for inducing therapeutically-effective proteins

Research paper thumbnail of Method for producing interleukin 1 receptor antagonists, a therapeutic activity protein, from body fluids

Research paper thumbnail of Delivery Peptides ,Their Constructs with Active Agents and Use

Research paper thumbnail of Partial reconstruction of the lampbrush loop pair Nooses on the Y chromosome of Drosophila hydei

Chromosoma, 1993

We present the analysis of genomic DNA fragments that were isolated as potential segments of the ... more We present the analysis of genomic DNA fragments that were isolated as potential segments of the lampbrush loop pair Nooses on the short arm of the Y chromosome of Drosophila hydei. More than 300 kb of DNA were recovered in BamHI lambda and cosmid clone groups. This DNA is composed of the Y-specific ayl family of repetitive DNA sequences, and of other repetitive DNA sequences, which at least in part are also located elsewhere in the genome (Y-associated sequences). Two additional classes of DNA fragments were obtained from an EcoRI library. One of them consists of ayl repeats without apparent interspersion, including a total of more than 300 kb of DNA. The other is composed of tandemly repeated YsI sequences, a Y-specific sequence derived from ayl. This class includes more than 400 kb of DNA, which is also not interspersed by other sequences. Our results show that only the ayl repeats interspersed by Y-associated DNA sequences can represent parts of the 260 kb transcription unit forming the lampbrush loop, whereas the ayl and YsI repeats without interspersion form separate and nontranscribed clusters of repetitive DNA.

Research paper thumbnail of Current Status of Gene Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis

BioDrugs, 1999

Despite the high prevalence of the disease, at present little effective pharmacological treatment... more Despite the high prevalence of the disease, at present little effective pharmacological treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is available. Novel approaches utilising biological agents have resulted in the development of new antiarthritic and antiinflammatory agents, such as tumour necrosis factor-α (TNFα)-specific antibodies and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra). Local gene therapy not only allows the pharmaceutical use of these biologicals, but also allows for continuous drug supply, which is necessary for chronic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. We discuss the basics of rheumatoid arthritis therapy, candidate genes and possible gene transfer methods. A current clinical gene therapy trial is focusing on the IL-1 system using IL-1ra as a transgene. The transfer system, clinical protocol and preliminary results are described. After treatment of 11 patients we feel that gene therapy will offer potential as a new avenue to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

Research paper thumbnail of SPONTANEOUS SECRETION OF INTERLEUKIN 1 RECEPTOR ANTAGONIST (IL-1ra) BY CELLS ISOLATED FROM HERNIATED LUMBAR DISCAL TISSUE AFTER DISCECTOMY

Cytokine, 1998

In the study presented, cells of a herniated lumbar disc were cultivated in vitro and analysed fo... more In the study presented, cells of a herniated lumbar disc were cultivated in vitro and analysed for interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) and interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) production. The objective of this study was the detection of IL-1beta and IL-1Ra secreted by herniated lumbar discal cells after discectomy. The involvement of cytokines in the degeneration of intervertebral discs and in the pathophysiology of radiculopathy is established. Antagonizing proteins, e.g. IL-1Ra are thought to have considerable therapeutic potential. In the present study, a 51-year-old male with massive sequestrated lumbar disc herniation at L5/S1 was treated by microsurgical discectomy. Discal cells were isolated, cultures and culture supernatants immunochemically analysed for IL-1beta and IL-1Ra secretion. Spontaneous secretion of IL-1Ra was found. IL-1beta was not detected. Our findings might contradict recent studies on the role of IL-1beta and IL-1Ra. A possible therapeutic role of exogenous IL-1Ra in disc degeneration needs further research.

Research paper thumbnail of Syringe for inducing therapeutically-effective proteins

Research paper thumbnail of Method for producing interleukin 1 receptor antagonists, a therapeutic activity protein, from body fluids

Research paper thumbnail of Delivery Peptides ,Their Constructs with Active Agents and Use

Research paper thumbnail of Partial reconstruction of the lampbrush loop pair Nooses on the Y chromosome of Drosophila hydei

Chromosoma, 1993

We present the analysis of genomic DNA fragments that were isolated as potential segments of the ... more We present the analysis of genomic DNA fragments that were isolated as potential segments of the lampbrush loop pair Nooses on the short arm of the Y chromosome of Drosophila hydei. More than 300 kb of DNA were recovered in BamHI lambda and cosmid clone groups. This DNA is composed of the Y-specific ayl family of repetitive DNA sequences, and of other repetitive DNA sequences, which at least in part are also located elsewhere in the genome (Y-associated sequences). Two additional classes of DNA fragments were obtained from an EcoRI library. One of them consists of ayl repeats without apparent interspersion, including a total of more than 300 kb of DNA. The other is composed of tandemly repeated YsI sequences, a Y-specific sequence derived from ayl. This class includes more than 400 kb of DNA, which is also not interspersed by other sequences. Our results show that only the ayl repeats interspersed by Y-associated DNA sequences can represent parts of the 260 kb transcription unit forming the lampbrush loop, whereas the ayl and YsI repeats without interspersion form separate and nontranscribed clusters of repetitive DNA.

Research paper thumbnail of Current Status of Gene Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis

BioDrugs, 1999

Despite the high prevalence of the disease, at present little effective pharmacological treatment... more Despite the high prevalence of the disease, at present little effective pharmacological treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is available. Novel approaches utilising biological agents have resulted in the development of new antiarthritic and antiinflammatory agents, such as tumour necrosis factor-α (TNFα)-specific antibodies and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra). Local gene therapy not only allows the pharmaceutical use of these biologicals, but also allows for continuous drug supply, which is necessary for chronic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. We discuss the basics of rheumatoid arthritis therapy, candidate genes and possible gene transfer methods. A current clinical gene therapy trial is focusing on the IL-1 system using IL-1ra as a transgene. The transfer system, clinical protocol and preliminary results are described. After treatment of 11 patients we feel that gene therapy will offer potential as a new avenue to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

Research paper thumbnail of SPONTANEOUS SECRETION OF INTERLEUKIN 1 RECEPTOR ANTAGONIST (IL-1ra) BY CELLS ISOLATED FROM HERNIATED LUMBAR DISCAL TISSUE AFTER DISCECTOMY

Cytokine, 1998

In the study presented, cells of a herniated lumbar disc were cultivated in vitro and analysed fo... more In the study presented, cells of a herniated lumbar disc were cultivated in vitro and analysed for interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) and interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) production. The objective of this study was the detection of IL-1beta and IL-1Ra secreted by herniated lumbar discal cells after discectomy. The involvement of cytokines in the degeneration of intervertebral discs and in the pathophysiology of radiculopathy is established. Antagonizing proteins, e.g. IL-1Ra are thought to have considerable therapeutic potential. In the present study, a 51-year-old male with massive sequestrated lumbar disc herniation at L5/S1 was treated by microsurgical discectomy. Discal cells were isolated, cultures and culture supernatants immunochemically analysed for IL-1beta and IL-1Ra secretion. Spontaneous secretion of IL-1Ra was found. IL-1beta was not detected. Our findings might contradict recent studies on the role of IL-1beta and IL-1Ra. A possible therapeutic role of exogenous IL-1Ra in disc degeneration needs further research.

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