Abstract. The review article deals with modern aspects of liver immune status in hepatic insufficiency caused by hepatobiliary disorders. The mechanisms of cytokine effects are substantiated, as well as their action upon clinical course of hepatic insufficiency, and their influence upon development of potential post-surgical complications is discussed.

Abstract. Immunophenotyping by using a flow cytometry method allows characterizing cells with the help monoclonal antibodies or any other probes and enables to judge their type and a functional condition on presence of this or that set of cellular markers and processes occurring in them. However as a result of carrying out cytometryc analysis could be a number of mistakes at different stages of preparation cytometer to work and that leads to not correct result. To avoid it, the algorithm of preparation of reports for the analysis of cells of peripheral blood is offered. This algorithm of adjustment of the working report looks as follows: check of cytometers work; adjustment of the discriminator; adjustment of sensitivity of channels of light scatters; sensitivity adjustment of channels of fluorescence; introduction of factors of indemnification. Standard adjustments flow cytometers and reports will allow carrying out more correctly the analysis as in clinical diagnostic, and the research purposes.

Abstract. The aim of the study was to assess prevalence and risk factors for cryoglobulinemia associated with chronic hepatitis C in St.-Petersburg. Patients and methods. We studied 121 patients with chronic hepatitis C, including 53 men and 68 women with median age of 39±13 years. The median hepatitis duration was 3 years (range 0.5 to 34 years). In this group 25 (20,7%) had cirrhosis. Results. 37,2% (45/121) patients had circulating cryoglobulins. A low levels of crioglobulins (cryocrit 1-4%) were detected more frequently. Cryoglobulinaemic patients showed more frequent rates rheumatoid factors activity (р = 0,001), a higher levels of bilirubin (р = 0,003) and a γ-gamma-glutamyltransferase (р = 0,031). The presence of cryoglobulins was not correlated with HCV genotype (HCV 1a – 20,8% vs 20,7%, 1b – 29,2% vs 27,6%, 2 – 4,2% vs 6,9%, 3a – 20,8 vs 34,5%, mixt – 20,8% vs 6,9%, not identified – 4,1% vs 3,4%, in cryopositive vs cryonegative patients respectively, р = 0,7). By multivariate analysis hepatitis duration (Exp (B) = 1,07, 95% Cl 1,0-1,13, р = 0,049) and cirrhosis (Exp (B) = 6,2, 95% Cl 2,25-16,8, р < 0,001) could independently predict the presence of cryoglobulins. Conclusion. Our study demonstrates high prevalence of serum cryoglobulins in patients with chronic hepatitis C in St.-Petersburg and independent association between duration of hepatitis and advanced cirrhosis with development of cryoglobulinemia.

Abstract. A purpose of present work was to detect some abnormal inter-systemic interactions in chronic disease. Forty-eight patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were under examinations. They belonged to middle-aged group (58±4 years old), with mean disease duration of 11,2±5,2 years. Analysis of laboratory parameters has revealed certain influence of immunocompetent cells, intercellular regulation factors, and some parameters characterizing the state of biomembranes, upon clinical course of chronic inflammatory disorder. The method of «correlation pleyades» enables detection and objective estimation of interrelations between all the quantitative indicators of resistance that may determine clinical prognosis, outcomes of chronic disease, and efficiency of therapy applied.

Abstract. The study deals with evaluation of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) effects upon phenotype and functions of dendritic cells (DCs), generated from blood monocytes of pregnant women by means of GM-CSF and IFN-alpha. It was shown, that initial supplementation with DHEAS (10-6 M, day 1 of culture) did not influence the pattern of DC subsets. Meanwhile, addition of DHEAS at the stage of DC maturation (last day of culture) is accompanied by a significant increase in mature CD83+ cells and activated DCs (CD25+), like as their precursors (CD1a+). Furthermore, the DCs generated in presence of DHEAS were characterized by marked allostimulating activity and decreased ability to downregulate the numbers of CD56+CD16+ NK cells. Hence, DHEAS promotes generation, maturation, and allostimulating activity of DCs, along with decreased negative regulation towards CD56+CD16+NK cell amounts. DHEAS-mediated changes in DCs’ phenotype and functioning are discussed as a possible mechanism of disturbed immunological tolerance to fetal antigens in pregnant women with suprarenal hyperandrogenia.

Abstract. A comparative analysis of immunological data was performed in the patients with HBV-induced liver cirrhosis, and in a group of patients with acute and chronic viral hepatitis B (AVHB, CVHB). Activation of B cell immune compartment (increase in CD22+ lymphocytes and IL4, circulating immune complexes in blood) was demonstrated in patients with liver cirrhosis, being also associated with increased numbers of CD16+ lymphocytes and T-cell deficiency. It was revealed that the differences are most expressed upon comparison of immunologic data from the patients with liver cirrhosis, and AVHB followed by clearance of the virus. When comparing these groups, the differences in immunological state between the patients with liver cirrhosis and CVHB did not depend on the phase of viral replication or integration.

Abstract. Clinical and immunological examination was performed in a group of 120 patients with community-acquired pneumonia. The study included determination of humoral and cellular immunity factors, T-lymphocytes, T cell subpopulations and B cells in peripheral blood, measurements of circulating immune complexes, phagocytic activities of peripheral neutrophils, studies of cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, TNFalpha) in the course of disease. Abnormalities of immune response were found that determined the severity of pneumonia and extent of inflammatory lung affection. Insufficiency of phagocytic protection and abnormality of immune complex elimination, reduced activity of effector T cells, with underlying increased reaction of NK cells, deficiency of humoral immunity factors, as reduced B-lymphocyte levels, as well as a trend to decrease in in IgM and IgG levels, may, in sum, determine a severe clinical course, along with lobular affection of lungs in community-acquired pneumonia. Imbalance of cytokines, with predominant proinflammatory activity and reduced regulatory functions may represent a significant reason of these immune disturbances, thus justifying a need for development of immunomodulatory therapy.

Abstract. The cytokine concentration measured in serum and brush cytology of cervical canal in pregnant women with chronic disseminated intravascular syndrome. The serum concentrations of inflammatory cytokines were significantly elevated in brush cytology of cervical canal in pregnant women with chronic disseminated intravascular syndrome, especially in patients with infection genesis recurrent pregnancy loss in anamnesis. The profiles of Th1-cytokines in serum and brush cytology of cervical canal in pregnancy women were different depending on activity of chronic disseminated intravascular syndrome. The analysis of opposition cytokines pools reveals an similarity of TNFα/IL-10 in serum and brush cytology of cervical canal, IFNγ/IL-4 и IL-1RA/ IL-1β in brush cytology of cervical canal were significantly reduced in pregnant women with chronic disseminated intravascular syndrome.

Abstract. The article provides some characteristics of immune status in the children suffering from chronic tonsillitis. Gender-associated peculiarities are taken into account, and comparative efficiency of certain rehabilitative therapeutic approaches is demonstrated for the children with different recurrence rates of this disorder.

Abstract. Results of cytokine network studies system in children with rotavirus infection are presented. Concentrations of cytokines were determined at both local and systemic levels. Analysis of cytokine levels was performed at initial terms (day 1 to 3), and in the course of disease (day 7 to 10). It was revealed that mild and mid-severe cases of rotavirus infection in the children are characterized by early increase in proinflammatory cytokines with restricted overshoot of proinflammatory cytokines at early recovery period. Meanwhile, the patients with severe forms of viral gastroenteritis exhibited high levels of proinflammatory cytokines. However, this balance was shifted towards anti-inflammatory cytokines during early reconvalescence.

Abstract. Common polymorphisms of interleukin-1β, receptor antagonist interleukin-1, and interleukin-4 genes have been studied among the patients with rheumatoid arthritis of Bashkir origin, living in Chelyabinsk Region. As a result of study, an increased frequency of interleukin-1β homozygosity for a high-producer allele was found. An association has been revealed between the homozygosity for 2-repeat allele of interleukin-4, and the age of disease onset.

Abstract. Early events in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) play a main role in development and progression of immunocomplex-associated inflammation. Early diagnostics of RА allows adequate immunosuppressive medications to stop the disease progression, to obtain more significant clinical effect and improve prognosis of the disease. We examined 85 patients with early RА (less than 1 year from the onset of disease), as well as thirty patients with long-lasting RA. Twenty-six age- and sexmatched healthy donors served as a control group. Standard clinical examination was performed. In all RA patients we measured concentrations of antifilagrine antibodies (AFA) including antikeratin antibodies, antiperinuclear factor, antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptide and serum levels of main cytokines, i.e., IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, as well as TNFα, VEGF, IFNγ, МСР-1.

Rheumatoid factor (RF) was detectable in 44% patients with early RA, AFA, in 62% cases. These parameters in patients with long-lasting RA were 88% and 57% accordingly. Positive AFA were found in patients with higher expression of clinical and laboratory markers.

The levels of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6 and chemokine MCP-1 were significantly elevated in patients with early and long-lasting RA in comparison with control group, but patients with longlasting RА showed the highest MCP-1 levels. The associations between severity markers of RA and serum levels of cytokines were demonstrated.

Our data support important diagnostic role of АFА at the early stages of RА. Serum cytokine concentrations can be used as additional laboratory and prognostic criteria of RA.

Abstract. HLA DRB1* gene associations with idiopathic fetal losses and infertility were studied in women. It was shown that idiopathic fetal losses are associated with HLA DRB1*04 specificity, whereas infertility correlated with HLA DRB1*04/07 genotype. The associations revealed may indicate to a special role of autoimmune events in women during pregnancy. The authors suggest a hypothesis on existence of several immune modes of reproductive losses. HLA genotyping may be applied as a basic technique for their determination.

Expression features of markers associated with differentiation (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD16) and activation (CD25, CD71, CD95 and HLA-DR) were studied on lymphocytes from patients of reproductive and postmenopausal age with ovarian cancer (FIGO clinical stages I to IV). Absolute lymphopenia, which was more pronounced in postmenopause, was found to be increased in the course of tumor progression. Moreover, the numbers of CD8+ cells significantly increased since early stages of disease, along with decreased amounts of CD3+ andCD4+ cells. CD16 expression was elevated at later stages, being sufficiently higher in postmenopausal patients. CD25 cell scores was increased at all clinical stages, and did not significantly differ in reproductive vs menopausal age. CD95+ cell number was increased, and it proved to be maximal at stage III-IV of the disease. The numbers of CD71+ cells was increased at all clinical stages of disease, being significantly higher in reproductive period, as compared with menopause. Expression of HLA-DR molecules on lymphocytes was enhanced at early stages of disease followed by significant decrease at stage IV of disease. Hence, phenotypic features of lymphocytes from the patients with ovarian cancer exhibit dynamic variability at different stages of tumor growth, being also dependent on reproductive vs. postmenopausal period.

Abstract. It was established that in patients with laryngeal carcinoma the leukocytes total count increased, but lymphocytes number and their main subpopulations (CD4+, CD8+, CD16+, CD22) and CD4+/CD8+ ratio decreased. At the same time in patients the IgA level elevated and IgM concentration decreased. In patients with laryngeal carcinoma the number of CD4+ and CD16+ which had ability to bind platelets decreased. In these patients the lymphocytes IL-2 receptors increased. The received data are discussed in paper.