HIV and AIDS
Halin: just tell me everything you know about it and possible targets to treat it
Explained the definitions, the route of infection of HIV to the CD4 T-cells and what could be inhibited (e.g. Reverse transcriptase, integrase etc.). Short questions in between from Halin like on which receptor does HIV bind, etc.
Halin: there is a new drug on the market to treat AIDS. It's an antibody. What do you think what could it inhibit?
Me: didn't really know it. With her help I got that it binds the CD4 T-cells.
Halin: What are advantages and what possible side effects?
Me: not so fast resistance because it inhibits the CD4 T-cells and not the HIV itself (due to mutation- and replication rate). Side effect: autoimmunity (got it only with her help)
ADC
Neri: What is it and what does it?
Me: antibody-drug conjugate -> antibody with a cytotoxic agent coupled. Can bind specific to its target and release the cytotoxic agent.
Neri: how is it coupled?
Me: Amide bond or Disulfide bridge.
Neri: on which aa?
Me: Cysteine
Neri: and another one?
Me: didn't know it. correct answer was Lysine
Neri: what could be a problem?
Me: extracellular cleavage by glutathione or protease
Neri: What is ADCC?
Me: antibody-dependent cytotoxicity. Antibody binds to antigen on target cell, via FcRIII receptor NK binds to it, cross-linking and release of cytotoxic agents -> kills cell
Some questions weren't so easy because they weren't really discussed in the lecture. But with the help of the professors it was possible to answer them.