Saponin is Essential for the Isolation of Proteins and RNA from Biological Nanoparticles.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), biomimetics, and other biological nanoparticles (BNs) produced from human cells are gaining increasing attention in the fields of molecular diagnostics and nanomedicine for the delivery of therapeutic cargo. In particular, BNs are considered prospective delivery vehicles for different biologics, including protein and RNA therapeutics. Moreover, EVs are widely used in molecular diagnostics for early detection of disease-associated proteins and RNA.

Development, production and characterization of SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particles (Coronaviridae: ).

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has created serious health problems worldwide. The most effective way to prevent the occurrence of new epidemic outbreaks is vaccination. One of the modern and effective approaches to vaccine development is the use of virus-like particles (VLPs).

[Study of the safety and immunogenicity of VLP-based vaccine for the prevention of rotavirus infection in neonatal minipig model].

Introduction: In Russia, almost half of the cases of acute intestinal infections of established etiology in 2022 are due to rotavirus infection (RVI). There is no specific treatment for rotavirus gastroenteritis. There is a need to develop modern, effective and safe vaccines to combat rotavirus infection that are not capable of multiplying (replicating) in the body of the vaccinated person.

[Virus-like particles based on rotavarus A recombinant VP2/VP6 proteins for assessment the antibody immune response by ELISA].

Introduction: Rotavirus infection is one of the main concerns in infectious pathology in humans, mammals and birds. Newborn piglets or rodents are usually being used as a laboratory model for the evaluation of immunogenicity and efficacy for all types of vaccines against rotavirus A (RVA), and the use of ELISA for the detection of virus-specific antibodies of specific isotype is an essential step of this evaluation.

Objective: Development of indirect solid-phase ELISA with VP2/VP6 rotavirus VLP as an antigen to detect and assess the distribution of RVA-specific IgG, IgM and IgA in the immune response to rotavirus A.

Nanodispersions of Polyelectrolytes Based on Humic Substances: Isolation, Physico-Chemical Characterization and Evaluation of Biological Activity.

Natural polyelectrolytes, including in the form of complexes with colloidal particles, are increasingly used in pharmacy due to the possibility of regulated attachment of medicinal substances and their targeted delivery to the target organ. However, the formation, stability, and molecular-mass characteristics of polyelectrolyte nanodispersions (ND) vary depending on the nature and composition of the medium of their origin. This is due to the lack of standardized approaches to quality control and regulatory documentation for most natural ND.

Cellular Immune Response Induced by DNA Immunization of Mice with Drug Resistant Integrases of HIV-1 Clade A Offers Partial Protection against Growth and Metastatic Activity of Integrase-Expressing Adenocarcinoma Cells.

Therapeutic DNA-vaccination against drug-resistant HIV-1 may hinder emergence and spread of drug-resistant HIV-1, allowing for longer successful antiretroviral treatment (ART) up-to relief of ART. We designed DNA-vaccines against drug-resistant HIV-1 based on consensus clade A integrase (IN) resistant to raltegravir: IN_in_r1 (L74M/E92Q/V151I/N155H/G163R) or IN_in_r2 (E138K/G140S/Q148K) carrying D64V abrogating IN activity. INs, overexpressed in mammalian cells from synthetic genes, were assessed for stability, route of proteolytic degradation, and ability to induce oxidative stress.

[Synthesis and characterization of human rotavirus A () virus-like particles].

Introduction: Rotavirus infection is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis among infants. The development of new vaccines against rotavirus A is urgent because the virus has many genotypes, some of which have regional prevalence. Virus-like particles (VLP) is a promising way to create effective and safe vaccine preparations.

Correction: DNA immunization site determines the level of gene expression and the magnitude, but not the type of the induced immune response.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

[The differential diagnosis of constitutional delay of puberty and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in boys].

Background: The problem of differential diagnosis of constitutional delay of puberty/CDP and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism/HH in boys is discussed, as boys have similar genetic mechanisms and appearance.

Aims: to determine accuracy of the criteria for the differential diagnosis of CDP and HH.

Materials: The study included 56 boys 14.

Glial cells in the posterior sub-esophageal mass of the brain in Sepia officinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) (decapodiformes-sepiida): ultrastructure and cytochemical studies.

Electron microscopy revealed that glial cells in the posterior sub-esophageal mass of the brain in Sepia officinalis had a well-developed rough endoplasmic reticulum formed by long coverslips with rectilinear or curvilinear arrangements. The coverslips appeared dilated and have a large amount of adhered polysomes. Vesicular lamellae coexisted with the elongated lamellae of RER and dictyosomes of Golgi apparatus.

Expression of the Reverse Transcriptase Domain of Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Induces Lytic Cellular Response in DNA-Immunized Mice and Limits Tumorigenic and Metastatic Potential of Murine Adenocarcinoma 4T1 Cells.

Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) is a classic tumor-associated antigen overexpressed in majority of tumors. Several TERT-based cancer vaccines are currently in clinical trials, but immune correlates of their antitumor activity remain largely unknown. Here, we characterized fine specificity and lytic potential of immune response against rat TERT in mice.

HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase Promotes Tumor Growth and Metastasis Formation via ROS-Dependent Upregulation of Twist.

HIV-induced immune suppression results in the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS-associated malignancies including Kaposi sarcoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and cervical cancer. HIV-infected people are also at an increased risk of "non-AIDS-defining" malignancies not directly linked to immune suppression but associated with viral infections. Their incidence is increasing despite successful antiretroviral therapy.

[Assessment of immunogenic activity of the cloned human rotavirus A WA strain.].

Introduction: Rotovirus infection (RVI) caused by the dsRNA-containing virus from genus Rotavirus, Reoviridae family, belonging to group A (RVA), is the cause of severe diarrhea in human and other mammalian species. Vaccination is the most effective way to reduce the incidence of RVI. At present, the effectiveness of using gnotobiotic piglets as a universal model for reproducing human rotavirus infection and assessing the quality of RVI vaccine preparations has been experimentally proven.

Genes associated with testicular germ cell tumors and testicular dysgenesis in patients with testicular microlithiasis.

Testicular microlithiasis (TM) is one of the symptoms of testicular dysgenesis syndrome (TDS). TM is particularly interesting as an informative marker of testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs). KIT ligand gene (KITLG), BCL2 antagonist/killer 1 (BAK1), and sprouty RTK signaling antagonist 4 (SPRY4) genes are associated with a high risk of TGCTs, whereas bone morphogenetic protein 7 gene (BMP7), transforming growth factor beta receptor 3 gene (TGFBR3), and homeobox D cluster genes (HOXD) are related to TDS.

DNA immunization site determines the level of gene expression and the magnitude, but not the type of the induced immune response.

Optimization of DNA vaccine delivery improves the potency of the immune response and is crucial to clinical success. Here, we inquired how such optimization impacts the magnitude of the response, its specificity and type. BALB/c mice were DNA-immunized with two model immunogens, HIV-1 protease and reverse transcriptase by intramuscular or intradermal injections with electroporation.

The DNA of Bacteria of the World Ocean and the Earth in Cosmic Dust at the International Space Station.

Cosmic dust samples from the surface of the illuminator of the International Space Station (ISS) were collected by a crew member during his spacewalk. The sampler with tampon in a vacuum container was delivered to the Earth. Washouts from the tampon's material and the tampon itself were analyzed for the presence of bacterial DNA by the method of nested PCR with primers specific to DNA of the genus , DNA of the strains of capsular bacteria , and DNA encoding 16S ribosomal RNA.

Codon optimization and improved delivery/immunization regimen enhance the immune response against wild-type and drug-resistant HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, preserving its Th2-polarity.

DNA vaccines require a considerable enhancement of immunogenicity. Here, we optimized a prototype DNA vaccine against drug-resistant HIV-1 based on a weak Th2-immunogen, HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT). We designed expression-optimized genes encoding inactivated wild-type and drug-resistant RTs (RT-DNAs) and introduced them into mice by intradermal injections followed by electroporation.

Prokaryotic Expression, Purification and Immunogenicity in Rabbits of the Small Antigen of Hepatitis Delta Virus.

Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a viroid-like blood-borne human pathogen that accompanies hepatitis B virus infection in 5% patients. HDV has been studied for four decades; however, the knowledge on its life-cycle and pathogenesis is still sparse. The studies are hampered by the absence of the commercially-available HDV-specific antibodies.

Comparative Immunogenicity in Rabbits of the Polypeptides Encoded by the 5' Terminus of Hepatitis C Virus RNA.

Recent studies on the primate protection from HCV infection stressed the importance of immune response against structural viral proteins. Strong immune response against nucleocapsid (core) protein was difficult to achieve, requesting further experimentation in large animals. Here, we analyzed the immunogenicity of core aa 1-173, 1-152, and 147-191 and of its main alternative reading frame product F-protein in rabbits.

[Real-time PCR kits for the detection of the African Swine Fever virus].

The results obtained using the diagnostic kit based on real-time polymerase chain reaction to detect the DNA of the African Swine Fever in the pathological material, as well as in the culture fluid, are presented. A high sensitivity and specificity for detection of the DNA in the organs and tissues of animals was shown to be useful for detection in the European Union referentiality reagent kits for DNA detection by real time PCR of ASFV. More rapid and effective method of DNA extraction using columns mini spin Quick gDNA(TM) MiniPrep was suggested and compared to the method of DNA isolation on the inorganic sorbent.

Consensus HIV-1 FSU-A integrase gene variants electroporated into mice induce polyfunctional antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells.

Our objective is to create gene immunogens targeted against drug-resistant HIV-1, focusing on HIV-1 enzymes as critical components in viral replication and drug resistance. Consensus-based gene vaccines are specifically fit for variable pathogens such as HIV-1 and have many advantages over viral genes and their expression-optimized variants. With this in mind, we designed the consensus integrase (IN) of the HIV-1 clade A strain predominant in the territory of the former Soviet Union and its inactivated derivative with and without mutations conferring resistance to elvitegravir.

Cellular immunogenicity of novel gene immunogens in mice monitored by in vivo imaging.

The efficient cell-mediated immune response clears cells expressing deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) immunogens, but there are no methods to monitor this in vivo. We hypothesized that immune-mediated clearance can be monitored in vivo if DNA immunogens are coexpressed with reporter(s). To test this, we designed genes encoding human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT) fused via its N- or C-terminus to 30-amino acid-long Gly-Ala-repeat of Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen 1 or via the N-terminus to the transport signal of invariant chain/Ii or inserted between the cytoplasmic and luminal domains of lysosome-associated membrane protein I (LAMP).

[Spread of new pandemic influenza A(H1N1)v virus in Russia].

The paper presents the results of the investigations of the development of a influenza A(H1N1)v pandemic, conducted by the D. I. Ivanovsky Research Institute of Virology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, and collaborating laboratories in the European part of Russia, in the Urals, Siberia, and in the Far East.

Potent cross-reactive immune response against the wild-type and drug-resistant forms of HIV reverse transcriptase after the chimeric gene immunization.

HIV reverse transcriptase (RT) can be considered as a target and an instrument of immunotherapy aimed at limiting the emergence and spread of drug-resistant HIV. The chimeric genes coding for the wild-type and multi-drug-resistant RT (RT1.14) fused to lysosome-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP-1) were injected intramuscularly into BALB/c mice.

HIV-1 reverse transcriptase artificially targeted for proteasomal degradation induces a mixed Th1/Th2-type immune response.

Targeting of a DNA vaccine encoded protein for degradation via the proteasome is attempted since it may enhance the immunogenicity of the vaccine. We have fused HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) to mouse ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), a protein rapidly degraded by proteasome in an ubiquitine-independent fashion, to enhance the introduction of RT into the MHC class I pathway. We also designed a fusion of RT with two short signals from the C-terminus of ODC (ODCsig) representing a minimal proteasome-targeting moiety of ODC (PEST signal).