[Adhesive molecules as immunologic markers of activity of multiple sclerosis].

The correlations between concentrations of the adhesive circulating molecules cICAM-1 and cVCAM-1 in the peripheral blood of patients with relapses-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in different clinical phases and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) activity are presented. The patients in clinically active phase with Gd-enhancing lesions had elevated blood levels of cICAM-1. However, 5 patients without Gd-enhancing lesions exhibited elevated cICAM-1 and cVCAM-1 levels in active phase comparing to those in remission stage that indicate a high level of sensibility of these immunologic parameters.

Correlation between HHV-6 reactivation and multiple sclerosis disease activity.

This study examined the association between HHV-6 infection and multiple sclerosis (MS) and the relationship between HHV-6 reactivation and disease activity. The frequency of HHV-6 genomic sequences in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), the incidence of plasma viremia (nPCR), the transcription of viral mRNA in PBMCs (RT-PCR), the presence of antiviral IgM and IgG class antibodies in the plasma (IFA) of 16 relapsing/remitting and secondary progressive MS patients were studied in comparison with clinical manifestations of the disease, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain, and serum interleukin (IL)-12 concentrations (ELISA). The prevalence of HHV-6 infection was significantly higher in patients with MS (16/26) than in patients with other neurological diseases (6/21) and in blood donors (43/150).

Protection against bovine leukemia virus infection in two breeds of cattle.

Calves of two breeds--Brown Latvian and Black and White, were immunized against bovine leukemia virus with an immunogen produced from short-term cultured blood lymphocytes of BLV-positive Brown Latvian cows. The immunogen contained the viral proteins gp51 and p24 as well as some cellular proteins. As determined by bioassay in sheep, it did not contain infective bovine leukemia virus.

Expression of hepatitis B virus surface antigen gene in Escherichia coli.

Direct expression of hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) gene under the control of the Escherichia coli tryptophan operon (trp) promoter has been achieved. Synthesis of HBsAg (both complete and lacking its N-terminal segment) as a part of hybrid proteins with the N-terminal portion coded by genes cat, kan or bla is controlled by the appropriate promoters, as well as by the trp promoter. The highest levels of expression, including those for direct synthesis of HBsAg, provide the accumulation of about 10(5) polypeptide molecules per bacterial cell.