Effect of ionizing radiation on the content of receptors to Fc-fragments of immunoglobulins in peritoneal macrophages of mice.

It has been demonstrated in experiments on 500 F1 (CBS X C57B1) mice that irradiation with 137Cs gamma rays in doses of 700--800 R (6.72--7.68 Gy) provokes initially a slight increase and subsequently progressive decrease in the number of cells with FcR among peritoneal mononuclears of mice, reaching its maximum on day 20 and persisting until the end of the month.

Normalizing effect of immunoglobulins in the treatment of endogenous infection and intestinal dysbacteriosis in irradiated mice.

It has been demonstrated in experiments on 2160 CBA mice and mice of mixed breed, irradiated by LD90/30, that therapeutical administration (subcutaneous or intraperitoneal) of immunoglobulins - homologous (polyglobulin, IgG, IgM) or heterologous - polyglobulin, IgG (from human, equine, canine blood) repeated three times, i.e., 2, 24 and 48 hours after irradiation, not only induces longer survival, but also shows a normalizing effect on the commonly developing dysbacteriosis and increased amount of intestinal microflora and, in addition, leads to suppression of postirradiation endogenous infection.

Immunomodulating effect of autohaemotherapy (a literature review).

An analysis is presented of experimental and clinical data from different authors on the stimulating effect of autohaemotherapy with regard to the immunological reactivity of humans and animals as well as in vitro experiments with lymphocytes. Erythrolysate has been found to exert a more powerful effect than intact erythrocytes. The stimulating effect of autohaemotherapy on both irradiated and non-irradiated animals manifests itself in an increase in resistance to infection (increased LD50 in experimental infection), enhanced production of antibodies to microbial and tissue antigens and activated functioning of cell-mediated immune defence mechanisms.

Polyclonal activation of lymphocytes.

Literary data (48 references) on the phenomenon of polyclonal activation (PA) of lymphocytes are analysed and PA inductors of various nature are classified. A new trend in the study of PA is pointed out--the recording of nonspecific reactions to not only exogenous, but also endogenous antigens (mostly autologous erythrocytes and DNA). The problems of the mechanism of PA, the role of the normal autoimmune system, T-cells and macrophages, increased synthesis of specific and nonspecific immunoglobulins and cell proliferation are discussed.

Normal autoantibodies and specific immunogenesis.

Results of experimental studies on mice concerning the important role of cells producing normal autoantibodies (AAPC) in the reaction of the organism to specific antigens have been systematized. The number of AAPC in the blood and organs increases as early as 15-20 min after the administration of antigen and this increase is particularly intensive during reimmunization. On the other hand, the administration of heterologous antigens to the same mice causes a decrease in the number of AAPC.

Specific rosette-forming capacity of autoantibody-producing cells.

It has been shown in experiments on 240 mice (lines CBA, C57Bl, their first generation F1 hybrids and animals of mixed breed) that spleen cells of mice immunized by subcutaneous administration of 0.2 ml of pigeon blood are capable of producing the formation of plaques of hemolysis with autologous erythrocytes and rosettes with pigeon erythrocytes. This indicates the immediate participation of cells producing autohemolysins in the specific immune response.

A new trend in non-infectious immunology-investigation of the biological role of natural anti-tissue antibodies in humans and animals.

The author analysis a number of studies of Soviet and foreign investigators demonstrating the presence of natural anti-tissue antibodies in healthy human and animals. A large number of these antibodies appear during and they occur more frequently and in larger amounts in females than in males. The physiological function of these antibodies which influence the permeability of tissues, their metabolism and their role in the removal and neutralization of the products of cell disintegration and metabolism, are discussed.