In vitro effects of sporobacterin probiotic on the function of donor granulocyte-macrophage cells.

The effects of sporobacterin probiotic (Bakoren Company) on oxidative activity of donor granulocyte-macrophage cells (GMC) were studied in vitro by luminol-dependent chemiluminescent method, and the effects of the probiotic on the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were evaluated by ELISA. The probiotic dose-dependently stimulated spontaneous production of free radicals by GMC; combined treatment with immunomodulators likopid, polyoxydonium, and IFN-α2a produced a more potent effect. Sporobacterin stimulated the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in cell cultures.

[Clinical immunological disorders in children from various observation cohorts exposed to radiation factor during various stages of oncogenesis].

The immune status disorders and features depending on the radiation impact type in various cohorts of radiation observations long after the Chernobyl (CNPP) disaster and the possible role of these disorders in development of chronic somatic pathology in children are shown. Lymphocyte depletion, T-cell immunity component disorders in the form of cell contraction with CD3, CD4, CD8 markers and the B-cell immunity component disorders in the form of reducing the quantity of CD10, CD23 marker cells were observed in children subject to combined chronic irradiation by 131I, 137Cs, 90Sr radionuclides. The descendants of irradiated parents (the 1st generation; children of the Chernobyl accident consequences liquidators, children of the citizens of radiation contaminated territories with various 137Cs levels) had immunity disorders of different type.

[Perinatal transmission of hepatitis C virus].

The perinatal transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the major route of infection in infants. The understanding of the risk factors of perinatal infection and the continuation of studies in this area allow one to propose immunological algorithms of prediction and to work outa follow-up strategy of infected children. The authors have made virological and Immunological studies of infants born to mothers with HCV infection.

[Transgenerational genomic instability in children of liquidators of the accident at the ChNPP (cytogenetic and immunogenetic characteristics)].

A complex of cytogenetic and of immunogenetic study of the state of the lymphocyte genomes in the liquidators of the ChNPP accident and their unirradiated children has been carried out for the first time. Increased frequencies of the chromosome aberrations, of gene mutations (TCR mutations) and of predictors of apoptosis (cells with CD95+ immunophenotype) have been revealed in both generations. The analysis of correlations between the parameters under study has demonstrated distinctive features characteristic of induction of genomic instability in the organism of unirradiated children as compared to their fathers--liquidators directly exposed to radiation.

[Effect of vector potential variations on monocyte/macrophage system parameters in mice in laboratory conditions].

The effect of 30-min vector potential variation on the phagocytosis of macrophages from laboratory mice was investigated. It was found that the effect changes the characteristics of mice immunity: the quantity and percentage of neutrophils and lymphocytes in the blood, the activity of capture, degranulation, the splitting of bacterial agents, and the dynamics of formation of reactive oxygen species.

[Transposition of autologous cultivated bone marrow cells promotes prevention and treatment of immunodependent complications in cardiosurgical patients].

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has been made in two groups of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) with further estimation of the rate of postoperative organic dysfunctions and pyoseptic complications. In group 1 (n = 50) CABG was combined with intracoronary or intramyocardial injection of autologous precultivated for 7-8 days mononuclear cells of the bone marrow (1 x 10(9) cells). In group 2 (n = 479) the intraoperative injection of the above cells was not made.

[The problem of induced genome instability as the basis of the increased morbidity in children exposed to low-intensity radiation at low doses].

The main results of the complex examination of the genome instability are presented in children constantly living on territories contaminated with radionuclides as a result of the accident at the CNPP (Novozybkov district, Bryansk region, 16-18 Ci/km2, 137Cs) and in children exposed to low-intensity radiation at different stages of ontogenetic development: children exposed to postnatal irradiation in 1986 (born before the accident), children exposed to intrauterine irradiation during the accident in 1986, children of irradiated parents born after the accident in 1987-1992 and in 1994-2000. In all examined groups of irradiated children increased frequencies of certain radiation-induced chromosome aberrations were observed as well as a reduced activity of unscheduled synthesis of genomic DNA in lymphocytes and peculiarities in individual heterozygosity of genes encoding structural and enzymatic proteins of blood. An increased radiosensitivity of lymphocyte genomes to testing in vitro irradiation and peculiarities in the dynamics of the frequencies of chromosome aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges in 3 cell generations were revealed in children from the contaminated areas.

[Immuno-modulating properties of a macrolide antibiotic "Z-factor"].

Zi-Factor is a trade mark of azithromycin made in Russia by ZAO Veropharm. The in vitro modulating action of Zi-Factor (ZF) on neutrophil functional activity and production of immunity mediators was studied. The direct modulating effect of ZF in a concentration of 50 mcg/ml corresponding to the single therapeutic dose of 500 mg/70 kg body weight on the neutrophil oxidase activity evident from increased production of active oxygen and higher myeloperoxidase activity was shown.

Immune and Interferon Status in Newborns after Viferon Treatment of Pregnant Women with Cytomegalovirus and Herpes Infection.

Interferon status, cell-mediated and humoral immunity were analyzed in 52 newborns during the first day of life, who were born from mothers infected with cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus and treated with viferon in the complex therapy. Comparative group included 44 newborns from mothers with the same infections, who did not receive viferon in the complex therapy. IFN status before delivery as well as parameters of immunity in pregnant women before and after viferon therapy were investigated.

Immune Homeostasis and Interferon Status of Newborns from Mothers with Cytomegalovirus and Herpes Simplex Virus Infections.

Cell mediated and humoral immunity, immunoregulation compartment, phagocyte system and interferon status were analyzed during the first day of life in 96 newborns from mothers with cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus infections as well as in 20 newborns from mothers with physiological course of the pregnancy and delivery. As a result of this study the next characteristics were found in newborns of the experimental group: activation of T-compartment of immunity with intense emigration of increased number of early precursor T lymphocytes into the peripheral blood; alteration of the immunoregulation compartment with reduction (or a tendency of reduction) of absolute number of T lymphocytes (CD3(+)), CD4(+) helpers-inducers, the cytotoxic T lymphocyte fraction within CD8(+) cells and increase of the T suppressor fraction; increase of the level of cells, which express receptors for IL-2 (CD25(+)); increase of the number of NK and activated NK (CD16(+)CD8(+)); decrease of the absolute and relative number of mature B lymphocytes (CD20(+)); increase of IgM and IgA synthesis; increased level of the immature forms of neutrophiles and reduced phagocytic ability of some phagocytes; reduction of IFN-ggr; and increase of IFN-alpha level. Thus, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus were shown to affect unfavorably the development of immunity during ontogenesis with alteration of the immune homeostasis, reflecting intrauterine activation of the antigen-specific immune response.

[Plasmapheresis in combined treatment of acute rejection crises after kidney transplantation].

The aim of the study was assessment of effectiveness and safety of extracorporeal procedures (plasmapheresis) in prevention and combined treatment of acute rejection crises (ARC) after kidney transplantation in patients at high risk to develop acute immunological conflicts in early postoperative period. 94 patients aged 21-56 years after allotransplantation of cadaver kidney (ATCK) entered the study. They were divided into two groups: group 1 patients (n = 47) received plasmapheresis procedures in combined preventive and therapeutic treatment of ARC; matched group 2 patients (n = 47, retrospective) received the same therapy but plasmapheresis.

[Multiple organ failure as a manifestation of immune dysregulation of reparative processes in the organs during critical states].

The authors claim that the specific clinical symptoms of multiple organ failure (MOF) are explained by impaired interactions of two functionally related systems: the immune system (IS) responsible for regeneration and the reticuloendothelial system (RES) responsible for inflammation. Organ regeneration during MOF is suppressed as a result of suppressed morphogenetic function of lymphocytes, imbalanced macrophage-lymphocyte interactions, and RES hyperactivation. For prevention and treatment of MOF, the authors recommend stimulation of reparative processes in the organs by splenic therapy: assisted xenospleen, infusion of splenic perfusate or xenosplenic peptides.

[The immune and dental status of women who have given birth to infants with intrauterine growth retardation].

Secondary immunodeficiency was detected in women who gave birth to small-for-date newborns. This state was one of the causes of periodontal and hard dental tissue involvement. Women with small-for-date fetuses are at risk of dental diseases.

[The enhancement of treatment efficacy in chronic liver failure by using hemoperfusion across donor hepatocytes and spleen fragments].

Hemoperfusion via donor hepatocytes and splenic fragments is an effective adjuvant method of treatment of hepatic insufficiency, especially in patients with autoimmune disease. Hemoperfusion effect occurs due to normalization of mesenchymoinflammatory and immunological indices as a result of positive action of hepatotropic and immunotropic factors of the spleen. The highest effectiveness of the above hemoperfusion is reached in its early use, that is before the disease becoming chronic.

[The use of xenogeneic splenic perfusates for treating suppurative-septic diseases].

It was shown in experiments on a model of fatal staphylococcal sepsis in 200 mice and 15 dogs that the perfusate of a pig's spleen obtained by perfusion of the isolated organ with a dextran solution (rheopolyglucin, polyglucin) is capable of preventing the animals' death. Intravenous infusion of 400-500 ml of a xenospleen perfusate at an interval of 1-3 days, which was included in the complex of postoperative treatment of 45 patients with destructive diseases of the abdominal organs complicated by peritonitis and sepsis, contributed to reduction of lethality and the terms of recovery. It is shown that the main effect, besides detoxification, is based on immunomodulation at the cost of biologically active substances produced by the cells of a xenospleen and contained in the perfusate.

Influence of ganglioside GM3 and its breakdown products on lymphoblastic transformation and T-suppressor activity.

The influence of ganglioside GM3 and some of its breakdown products on phytohemagglutinin-induced blast transformation of human lymphocytes and concanavalin-A-induced T-suppressor activity was studied. The structures of two major hydrolysis products of GM3 were established by negative-ion fast-atom-bombardment mass spectrometry as neuraminyllactosylsphingosine (NeuLacSph) and neuraminyllactosylceramide (NeuLacCer). Both substances were shown to be potent inhibitors of mitogen-induced lymphoblastic transformation whereas their acetylation products NeuAcLacSphAc and GM3 did not affect the proliferative response of lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin.

[Hemoperfusion via cryopreserved tissue fragments of xenogeneic spleen in suppurative-septic states in urology].

Hemoperfusion through cryopreserved fragments of porcine xenospleen tissue was used in combined treatment of 42 patients with pyoseptic urologic diseases: urosepsis, purulent intoxication due to acute pyelonephritis, pyoinflammatory scrotal and prostatic lesions (in 15, 19, 8 patients, respectively). Indications and contraindications are specified. Altogether 57 sessions were performed.

Immunomodulatory effects of human placenta gangliosides.

The immunomodulatory properties of the major gangliosides of human placenta were studied. All the gangliosides investigated suppressed the cytotoxic activity of human natural killer cells. The magnitude of the inhibitory effect depended on ganglioside structure.

[Ganglioside GM3 derivatives and their immunomodulating effect].

The derivatives of ganglioside GM3-NeuLacCer. NeuLacSph and NeuAcLacSphAc-were obtained and their immunomodulating properties studied. These substances are shown to inhibit lymphocyte blast-transformation independently of their ceramide structure.

[Selective action of chorionic gonadotropin on lymphocyte subpopulations].

Influence of chorionic gonadotropin on induction and formation of specific T-suppressors, TDTH-effectors and spontaneous killer cells, depending on its doses and schema of injections was studied. It is shown that chorionic gonadotropin has a stimulating effect on precursors of T-suppressors, not affecting the mature specific T-suppressors, causes damage to the TDTH-effectors and spontaneous killer cells, that permits chorionic gonadotropin to be recognized as an immunomodulating agent.

[Changes in the C-peptide concentration in the blood of patients with diabetes mellitus after the transplantation of cultures of pancreatic islet cells].

The time course of the blood level of C-peptide was studied in 20 patients with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus in the course of 1 year after human fetal pancreatic islet cell allotransplantation. All the recipients suffered from a labile type of diabetes complicated by polyneuropathy, glomerulosclerosis and progressive retinopathy. C-peptide concentration was determined by a radioimmunoassay using Behring-Werke AE kits (FRG).