Influence of Immune Complexes on Expression of CD54 and CD95 on the Surface of Endothelial Cells of ECV-304 Line.

The etiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains unknown; however, recent studies have suggested a central role of the vascular endothelium in RA pathogenesis. The immune complex (IC)-mediated vasculitis is typical for RA. The studies reported herein were undertaken to determine 1) whether IC isolated from plasma of patients with RA are capable of inducing expression of ICAM-1/CD54 and Fas antigen/CD95 on the endothelial cell (EC) in vitro, 2) whether the capacity to induce expression of this phenotypic markers of EC activation is determined by the size or by the composition of the IC.

Contemporary Topics in Neuroimmunomodulation.

The investigational subject of immunophysiology (neuroimmunomodulation, psychoneurophysiology) is known to be the studies of interactions between nervous and immune systems in normal and pathological conditions on different structural levels of interactions between these systems. It has been shown that expression of genes of immediate (c-fos) and rapid (IL-2) reactions in response to stimuli of non-immune nature occurs not only in lymphoid cells, but also in certain structures of central nervous system. In addition, there are many facts, demonstrating the elevation of IL-1 production by cells of monocyte-macrophage system and the expression of IL-1 genes in brain after action of irritants of different origin.

Complement and Reactants of Acute Phase of Inflammation in the Processes of Functional Activity of Non-Specific Resistance and Immunoregulation.

Complement system is a family comprising of 20 plasma and membrane proteins, acting in concord by cascade principle. The investigators display great interest to C4b-binding protein (C4bp) which is the main regulatory protein of complement system, regulating of C3 convertase activity in classical way of complement activation. The major regulatory function of C4bp is related to its interaction with activated form of the forth complement component, C4b.

Cells of Immune System: Development, Activation, Effector Functions.

While understanding the role of certain cell populations and subpopulations is being more precisely identified, the pool of immunocompetent cells becomes continuously broader. It has rather recently been shown that hematopoietic precursors that express CD34 on their surface may be served as precursors of both monocytes/macrophages (Mn/Mf), and dendritic cells (DC) Huge experimental data obtained for recent years have shown that DC may just be comprehensive APC, capable to present both bacterial, and viral antigens in both primary, and secondary immune response for recognition by both T helpers (CD4(+)) and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD8(+)). Both Mf, and DC are producers of cytokines.