Detection of IFN-alpha produced in the presence of plasma gamma-globulin fraction proteins.

Interferon-alpha was detected in IFN pool produced by human leukocytes in the presence of gamma-globulin fraction proteins, copper and zinc cations, and metal-modified gamma-globulins. The cytokine appeared in culture medium at early terms (24 h) of incubation, is characterized by acid resistance, and is neutralized by antibodies to IFN-alpha. The content of IFN-alpha in supernatants of induced leukocytes reached 60-90 pg/ml and correlated with antiviral activity of the samples.

Counts of stromal precursor cells in the bone marrow and heterotopic bone marrow transplants from mice immunized with group A streptococcus antigens during different periods after immunization.

The counts of stromal precursor cells in bone marrow transplants obtained from animals 2 months after their immunization with killed type 5 group A streptococcus vaccine drop almost 3-fold in comparison with transplants from normal donors. Six months after donor immunization, the count of stromal precursor cells in the transplants reaches the normal level. The count of stromal precursor cells in bone marrow transplants from normal mice transplanted to recipients 6 months after their immunization with killed streptococcus vaccine also virtually did not change in comparison with the counts in bone marrow transplants from normal donors transplanted to normal recipients.

Induction of interferon production by conformation-modified proteins of plasma gamma-globulin fraction.

Plasma gamma-globulin fraction proteins, copper and zinc cations, and metal-modified gamma-globulins induce the production of IFN by human leukocytes. Binding of zinc cations attenuates the realization of the IFN-inducing effects of human serum gamma-globulin, while binding of copper cations potentiated this effect. Activity of IFN and the dynamics of its production correspond to those in response to phytohemagglutinin stimulation.

Effect of macrophage migration inhibition factor on the content of stromal precursor cells in mouse bone marrow and efficiency of bone marrow precursor cell cloning in vitro.

The content of stromal precursor cells in the bone marrow of mice decreased 2-5.7 times 24 h after injection of macrophage migration inhibition factor in doses of 0.1-50 ng/kg, this reduction depending on the dose of inhibition factor.

Effect of serum from mice immunized with group A streptococcus antigens on the efficiency of in vitro cloning of stromal precursor cells.

The efficiency of cloning of stromal precursor cell in mouse bone marrow culture increases significantly (2-3-fold) in the presence of serum from mice immunized with type 5 group A streptococcus antigens (5-20 microl serum/ml culture medium) in comparison with intact animal serum. The levels of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma are significantly reduced (2.7 times and more than 6-fold, respectively) in the sera of immunized mice in comparison with normal serum.

The Results of Mancini's test depend on the presence bound metal cations in the test protein.

Samples of human serum gamma-globulin with specifically bound copper or zinc cations were studied in Mancini's radial immunodiffusion test with human antibodies to IgG (H+L). The intensity of antibody binding to zinc-modified protein was 10-20% higher in comparison with the reference sample, while detection of gamma-globulin with bound copper by antibodies was 20-30% lower than in the corresponding reference sample. Comparison with the results of native gamma-globulin testing indicates limitations of Mancini's method as the quantitative assay for practical diagnosis, because under certain clinical conditions the traditional method can give over- and underestimated results.

Origination of stromal precursor cells replenishing the population of these cells in heterotopic mouse bone marrow transplants after curettage in recipients.

Curettage of bone marrow cavities of two bones (femoral and crural) in recipient mice causes a drastic (more than 7-fold) increase in the count of stromal precursor cells in heterotopic bone marrow transplants. Stromal colonies in cell cultures from these transplants consist of fibroblasts with an appreciable admixture of macrophages. All y chromosome-typed colonies from cultures of female donor bone marrow transplants in recipient males (intact and subjected to curettage) contained cells carrying and not carrying y chromosome.

Effect of alpha-fetoprotein on the count of bone marrow and splenic stromal precursor cells and proliferation of their cultural descendants.

The efficiency of cloning of stromal precursor cell increased more than 2-fold in splenic cultures and more than 3-fold in bone marrow cultures 24 h after injection of Profetal preparation to mice in vivo. The number of nucleated cells did not change in the bone marrow and slightly increased in the spleen. Addition of Profetal in vitro 2-fold decreased the efficiency of stromal precursor cells colony formation in mouse splenic cultures and dose-dependently decreased this process in bone marrow cultures derived from these animals, the maximum (5-fold) inhibitory effect was observed in a dose of 50 microg/ml.

Antigenic specificity of human serum gamma-globulin samples obtained under conditions of equimolar binding of copper and zinc cations.

Samples of human serum gamma-globulin modified by equimolar binding of copper and zinc cations were obtained using the method of molecular ultrafiltration. Conformation characteristics of the protein were studied by UV spectrophotometry. Immunochemical study included radial immunodiffusion test, direct and sandwich enzyme immunoassays.

Preparation of specimens of human serum gamma-globulin modified by copper and zinc and its immunochemical characteristics.

Specimens of human serum gamma-globulin modified by molar excess of copper and zinc cations were obtained by molecular ultrafiltration. Conformation characteristics of the protein were determined by UV spectrophotometry. Immunochemical study included radial immunodiffusion test and direct and sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Oxidized forms of fibrinogen induce expression of cell adhesion molecules by cultured endothelial cells from human blood vessels.

Oxidized forms of fibrinogen similarly to initial non-oxidized fibrinogen induced expression of P-selectin and ICAM-1 cell adhesion molecules in the cultured endothelial cells derived from human umbilical vein. The effect of oxidized fibrinogen on the expression of adhesion molecules was more pronounced. These data attest to more active participation of oxidized forms of fibrinogen into inflammation in the vascular wall, the first stage of atherogenesis.

Combined antiherpetic effect of complex preparation "Viferon-eye drops" and modified nucleosides.

Ready dosage form (eye drops) prepared on the basis of recombinant alpha2-IFN exhibits high activity towards herpes simplex type 1 virus in vitro. Systematic study of the antiherpesvirus effect of this drug in combination with modified nucleosides showed an inhibitory effect of the synergic type. Combination of IFN preparation with some nucleosides, including ribavirin, proved to be highly effective towards drug-resistant herpes virus.

Binding of zinc cations to human serum gamma-globulin.

Binding of zinc cations to human serum gamma-globulin was studied by molecular ultrafiltration. The content of free metal in the filtrate was evaluated by reaction with o-phenanthroline. Conformation characteristics of the protein were determined by UV spectrophotometry.

Far eastern tick-borne rickettsiosis: identification of two new cases and tick vector.

We recently reported the first documented cases of a new rickettsial disease caused by Rickettsia heilongjiangensis in the Russian Far East (Far Eastern tick-borne rickettsiosis). Here we report the amplification of DNA of R. heilongjiangensis from both the skin biopsy of an acutely ill patient and the tick removed from him prior to the disease development.

Rickettsial diseases in Russia.

Currently, several rickettsioses are officially being reported in the Russian Federation. These are epidemic typhus and Brill-Zinsser disease, both caused by Rickettsia prowazekii which has a historic prevalence in Russia. Nowadays only single sporadic cases of R.

Human serum gamma-globulin binds copper cations.

Binding of copper cations to human serum gamma-globulin was studied using molecular ultrafiltration. The content of free metal in the filtrate was evaluated by the reaction with sodium diethyldithiocarbamate. Conformation characteristics of the protein were evaluated by UV spectrophotometry.

On the nature of obligate intracellular symbiosis of rickettsiae--Rickettsia prowazekii cells import mitochondrial porin.

Mitochondrial porin was identified in Rickettsia prowazekii by Western blot analysis of whole cells and membrane fractions with monoclonal antibody against porin VDAC 1 of animal mitochondria. Using the BLAST server, no protein sequences homologous to mitochondrial porin were found among the rickettsial genomes. Rickettsiae also do not contain their own porin.

Comparative study of macrophage response in mice after DNA immunization and infection with herpes simplex virus type 1.

Functional activity of macrophages and intensity of T cell immune response in mice were studied after intravaginal and intraperitoneal infection with herpes simplex virus type 1 and DNA vaccination in combination with adjuvant treatment (recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and glucosaminylmuramyl dipeptide). DNA vaccination induced a virus-specific T cell immune response with no macrophagic inflammatory reaction. Infection with herpes simplex virus type 1 was accompanied by sustained inflammation, but not by the T cell immune response.

Analysis of conserved hydrophobic cores in proteins and supramolecular complexes.

The conserved hydrophobic core is an important feature of a family of protein domains. We suggest a procedure for finding and the analysis of conserved hydrophobic cores. The procedure is based on using an original program called CluD (http://monkey.

Molecular screening of Bartonella species in rodents from the Russian Far East.

A potentially broad-range PCR system for gltA gene amplification has been designed. A nearly full (992 bp) sequence of the gltA gene was amplified in two steps. DNA was extracted from organs (spleen and liver) of four mostly spread species of rodents: Apodemus agrarius and Apodemus peninsulae mice; Clethrionomys rufocanus and Microtus fortis voles.

Ultrastructural study of chitosan effects on Klebsiella and staphylococci.

Antibacterial effect of chitosan on the morphofunctional organization of clinical strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus was studied by transmission electron microscopy. Chitosan promoted aggregation of bacterial cells and disorganization of bacterial cell wall and cytoplasmic membrane, which leads to the release of bacterial contents into the environment. These structural changes result in bacterial death.

Reactions between human serum gamma-globulin and zinc cations.

Interactions of human serum gamma-globulin with zinc cations in solution were studied by differential spectrophotometry in UV light. Supraphysiological concentrations of zinc caused an increment in optical density of protein solution reflecting the effect of gamma-globulin saturation with the metal. Zinc concentrations below physiological led to hypochromism in the protein absorption spectrum.

Counts of stromal precursor cells in heterotopic bone marrow transplants in mice immunized with group a streptococcus antigens.

The count of stromal precursor cells in bone marrow transplants from CBA mice, transplanted to animals immunized with killed type 5 group A streptococcus vaccine, decreased 4.5-6.5 times (depending on the transplant age) in comparison with the grafts transplanted to normal recipients.

Biphasic interaction of gamma-globulin with copper cations.

Interactions of human serum gamma-globulin with copper cations in solution were studied by differential ultraviolet spectrophotometry. Copper in supraphysiological concentrations increases optical density of protein solution, reflecting the effect of gamma-globulin saturation with metal. In physiological and lower concentrations of copper cations we observed hypochromia in the protein absorption spectrum.