Abstract. Oral allergy syndrome (OAS) is defined as a set of clinical manifestations caused by IgE-mediated allergic  reactions  that  occur  at  oral  and  pharyngeal  mucosae  in  the  patients  with  pollen  sensitization  after ingestion of certain fruits, vegetables, nuts and spices. OAS arises from cross-reactivity between specific pollen and food allergens, due to similarity of a configuration and amino acid sequence of allergenic molecules. OAS is considered as class II food allergy, being caused by thermo- and chemolabile allergens, and it is rarely combined with generalized manifestations of food allergy. Prevalence and spectrum of the causal allergens depend on a kind of pollen sensitization. In Moscow region, as well as in Northern Europe, allergic sensitization most commonly occurs to the pollen of leaf trees, whereas OAS is mostly connected with ingestion of fruits from Rosaceae family and nuts. Since last years, a newly developed technique of component-resolved molecular diagnosis (CR diagnostics) allows of more precise detection of OAS-causing allergen molecules. These data are of extreme importance for administration of adequate nutritional therapy and prediction of SIT efficiency. (Med. Immunol., 2011, vol. 13, N 1, pp 17-28)

Abstract. Over last years, huge efforts are made in order to improve analytic techniques for T lymphocyte subpopulations. Appropriate studies on T-helper cells are also subject to extensive research. These cellular compartments are substantially divided into various sub-classes. Such subpopulations, e.g., Th1, Th2, T-reg, Th17 and activated Т-helpers, were classified and characterized to sufficient degree. Recently, a lot of distinct data  about  specific  receptors  and  functional  properties  of  various  Т-helper  subpopulations  was  obtained. Applications of these results in laboratory research, without any doubt, will improve diagnostic quality when assessing functional alterations of immune system, as well as adequate therapy planning. (Med. Immunol., 2011, vol. 13, N 1, pp 7-16)

Abstract. Anti-ergotypic cells are a part of peripheral regulatory network, and they are thought to control autoreactive T cells by recognition of certain clonotypic and ergotypic determinants on the surface of activated T cells. The aim of our study was to investigate ability of anti-CD3 activated syngeneic splenocytes to induce anti-ergotypic  response  and  to  assess  immune  response  in  delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction.DTH response in experimental group was significantly greater than in control and intact groups. Upon crossadministration, DTH response was minimal and there were no significant differences between the groups. No changes in cellular and humoral immune response were observed under such conditions. These results suggest a development of immune response to activated antigen-nonspecific cells. In a model of chronic GvHD, donor immunization was shown to exert a protective effect, with regard of proteinuria dynamics in recipients, whereas immunization of recipients did not alter the GvHD dynamics. (Med. Immunol., 2011, vol. 13, N 1, pp 29-34)

Аbstract. Gene fragments encoding N-terminal and central parts of group B streptococci (GBS) C5a peptidase were cloned in E. coli M15. The appropriate recombinant SCPB1a and SCPB3a polypeptides with molecular masses of, resp., 12.0±0.5 kDa and 11.0±0.5 kDa, were subject to expression and affinity purification. Both polypeptides  induced  specific  antibodies  production  upon  subcutaneous  immunization  of  mice.  A more pronounced immune response was detected with SCPB3a injection. Antimicrobial properties of anti-SCPB1a and anti-SCPB3a antibodies have been investigated in vitro (by opsonophagocytosis test) and in vivo (a model of generalized GBS infection in mice). N-terminal and central segments of C5a peptidase molecule have been shown to contain epitopes inducing humoral immune response with production of class G antibodies that efficiently opsonize GBS, whereas recombinant SCPB1a and SCPB3a polypeptides can be recommended for  future  implications  in  development  of  a  polycomponent  vaccine  against  GBS.  (Med.  Immunol.,  2011, vol. 13, N 1, pp 41-48)

Abstract.    Seventy    healthy    volunteers  were    immunized    with    influenza    subunit    vaccine    strain    A/California/7/2009  /  (H1N1),  in  order  to  test  possible  changes  in  auto-reactivity.  It  was  shown  that  the  vaccine  is  safe  and  immunogenic.  In  addition,  it  was  revealed  that  a  double  injection  of  the  vaccine  was  not  accompanied  by  development  of  autoantibody  response,  both  to  tissue  antigens    (specifically,    to    lung    tissue,    or    basic    myelin  protein),    and    to    those    against    non-tissue    antigens  (native  or  denatured  DNA).  In  some  cases,  application  of    the    vaccine    was    accompanied    by    a    significant  reduction  in  levels  of  autoantibodies.  It  was  also  noted  that  injection  of  the  vaccine  is  accompanied  by  a  reduction  in  total  IgE  levels  in  patients  with  increased  baseline  IgE  levels.  Following  double  injection  of  the  vaccine  at  a  single  dose  of  0.5  ml,  the  frequencies  of  seroconversion  was  71.4%,  seroprotection  levels  were  achieved  in  59,2%,  whereas  seroconversion  factor  proved  to  be  4.92,  thus  meeting  the  CPMP  criteria.  (Med.  Immunol.,  2011,  vol.  13,  N  1,  pp  35-40)

Abstract.  A  comparative  analysis  of  some  immunophysiological  and  hematological  parameters  was performed in a group of HIV-infected patients living in a region of Western Siberia (Russia). The study was performed using laboratory, epidemiological and clinical data, within a time period of 1999 through 2009. The  HIV-infected  persons  were  classified  in  two  study  groups  that  differed  in  rates  of  immunodeficiency progression, with respect to age, duration of HIV-infection, clinical stage of HIV-infection, duration of drug addiction, living terms in the Northern Region, concomitant diseases, as well as timing of immunological and hematological examinations. A significant direct correlation has been revealed between the numbers of CD4-, CD8- lymphocytes, and the levels of total protein and albumin in HIV-infected patients. The study of hematological parameters, as related to progression of immune deficiency, is of mutual medical interest, with respect to general assessment of the patients’ health, like as for clinical and immunological prognosis in HIV infection. (Med. Immunol., 2011, vol. 13, N 1, pp 73-78)

Abstract. Present work is devoted to analyzing possible associations of single-nucleotide gene polymorphisms (SNPs) with liver pathology in patients with chronic hepatitis C. SNP genotypes and allele frequencies were identified for some genes of interferon system, i.e., oligoadenilatsynthetase-1 (-1A/G), oligoadenilatsynthetase-3 (+1314C/T), and protein kinase R (+244A/G), using DNA samples from healthy donors and patients with chronic hepatitis C representing population of Tomsk and Tomsk Region. An association has been shown between SNPs of oligoadenilatsynthetase-1 and protein kinase R genes, and clinical activity of inflammatory process in the liver, as well as an impact of certain SNPs of protein kinase R and oligoadenilatsynthetase-3 genes upon fibrogenesis. (Med. Immunol., 2011, vol. 13, N 1, pp 93-100)

Abstract. A survey of immunological indices in patients with non-Hodkin’s lymphomas was performed, including evaluation of lymphocyte subpopulations, functional activity of neutrophils, immunoglobulin levels in peripheral blood and cytokine concentrations in mononuclear blood cell cultures and blood serum. The study revealed depressed indices of cellular and humoral immunity, like as an imbalance in Th1/Th2 cytokine production. T cell immune deficiency in the patients with aggressive lymphomas was more expressed, being also combined with significant deviations in cytokine status, as compared to a group of patients with indolent lymphomas. (Med. Immunol., 2011, vol. 13, N 1, pp 67-72)

Abstract. It was found that development of lipid disorders in rats is accompanied by increased levels  of  tumor  necrosis  factor  alpha  (TNFα)  in  blood  and  liver,  decreased  cytokine  regulation  index,  thus  suggesting  arising  inflammatory  reaction  at  the  organ  and  systemic  levels,  exhaustion  of  functional  reserve  and  diminished  response of immunocompetent cells. Intensity of TNFα secretion depends on the duration of emerging  alimentary  dyslipidemia  in  rats,  i.e.,  maximal  amounts  of  TNFα  in  blood  and  liver  were  detected  at  day  30  of  evolving  dyslipidemia.  At  90th  and  180th  day  after  starting  the  alimentary  load,  a  gradual  inhibition  of  cytokineproducing  ability  by  immune  cells  is  observed.  In  the  course  of  evolving  alimentary  dyslipidemia,  the  patterns  of intra-and intersystemic interactions are altered towards increased correlations between lipid transport   and  immune  markers,  as  well  as  higher  intercorrelations  between  the  parameters  of  blood  lipid  metabolism  and  proinflammatory  cytokine  levels  in  the  liver.  (Med.  Immunol.,  2011,  vol.  13,  N  1,  pp  61-66)

 

Abstract.  Relative  frequencies  of  CD14  C-159T,  TNFα  G-308A  and  FCGR2A  His166Arg  genetic polymorphisms were studied in the patients with pandemic influenza A H1N1 in Transbaikalia Region. We have revealed that prevalences of allelic TNFα G-308A and CD14 C-159T variants were identical among the patients and in control group. With CD14 C-159T polymorphism, a C allele proved to be associated with severe and complicated clinical course of disease. The [CD14 (159СС); FCGR2A (166Arg/Arg)] haplotype regictered in two cases, was associated with fulminant course and fatal outcomes of the disease. (Med. Immunol.,   2011, vol. 13, N 1, pp 83-86)

Аbstract.  Psychoimmunomodulating  properties  of  phenotropil  succinate,  a  new  phenotropil  derivative,  were  studied in  a model of cyclophosphamide-induced    immunodepression and  lypopolysaccharideinduced  immune  stress,  following  intraperitoneal  injections  of  the  drug  at  different  schedules  (from  a  single  injection  up  to  a  7-day  course),  and  at  varying  doses  (25  mg/kg,  50  mg/kg,  and  100  mg/kg).  It  was  found  that the  studied  substance  shows  a  clear  ability  to  eliminate  disorders  of  various  immune  compartments.  Moreover,  phenotropil  succinate  was  able  to  restore  behavioral  reactions  in  “Suоk-test”.  These  results  provide  evidence for  development  of  this  substance  aimed  for  correction  of  neuroimmune  disturbances.  (Med.  Immunol.,  2011,  vol.  13,  N  1,  pp  55-60)

Аbstract. The purpose of study was to evaluate some characteristics of immune state in the patients with acute non-differentiated leukemia (ANLL) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and to detect interrelations between the features of immune state and their dependencies on disease stage and quantities of blast cells, using a neuronet modeling approach. A decrease in immune system reactivity was revealed in acute leukemia patients. At any ALL stage, a T-cell immunodeficiency is registered. A decrease of T lymphocyte amounts and reduction of CD4+:CD8+ ratio are associated with occurrence of ALL relapse. Increased contents of NK cells are a feature of ALL recurrence. T cell deficiency emerges during ANLL relapse and remission. Meanwhile, a combined immunodeficiency develops upon relapse of the disease, affecting both T and B systems of immune response. Exhaustion of NK cell contents is a characteristic feature of ANLL, thus potentially promoting progression and relapse of the disease. By means of a neuronet predictor, a significance of information for certain immune state parameters was assessed, by determining amounts of blast cells in bone marrow. It was found that a specific histogram  of  informativity  is  revealed  for  each  group  of  the  patients.  A  computer-based  experiment  was performed which proves the specificity of interrelations between the immune state indices in a neuroprediction model  for  ALL  and  ANLL.  (Med.  Immunol.,  2011, vol. 13, N 1, pp 49-54)

Abstract. A distribution mode for allelic variants of cytokine genes was evaluated in 184 patients with slow viral infections, including 97 patients with chronic herpetic infection and 87 HIV-infected patients. Using modern methods of immunogenetics, we have found that relative risks of recurrent course and poor outcome of infection are positively associated with AA promoter region genotype and AA promoter genotype of +874 A/T polymorphism in the IFNG gene. Immunogenetic factors associated with protective effect in slow virus infections, include G allele of TNFA gene (G-308A SNP), and T allele/TT genotype of promoter region in  the IFNG gene (+874 A/T SNP). (Med. Immunol., 2011, vol. 13, N 1, pp 79-82)

Аbstract.  We  have  performed  an  analysis  of  associations  between  allelic  polymorphisms  of  heat  shock protein (HSP) genes, i.e., HSP70-2 1267А→G and HSP70-НОМ 2437Т→С in Caucasian patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in anamnesis, along with evaluation of common risk factors for MI. Frequency of HSP70-HOM*TC heterozygous variant proved to be significantly higher in the group with Kettle body mass index (BMI) exceeding 25, as compared with a group of relatively healthy persons. By contrary, frequency of HSP70-HOM*CC homozygosity in the MI group with BMI > 25 was significantly lower, than among healthy persons. When comparing genotype frequencies among MI patients with BMI > 25 and those with BMI<25, significance of the differences are retained, both for HSP70-HOM*TC heterozygosity and HSP70-HOM*CC homozygous state. (Med. Immunol., 2011, vol. 13, N 1, pp 87-92)

Аbstract. The study concerned in vitro effects of mevastatin, in”iximab, r-met-Hu-sTNF-RI and IL-1Ra upon antigen-induced activation of EBV-speciлc CD4+T-cells from peripheral blood of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA patients were shown to have signiлcantly lower contents of antigen-activated, EBV-speciлc CD4+T-cells than healthy donors. In  healthy controls, mevastatin, in”iximab, r-met-Hu-sTNF-RI and IL-1Ra did not cause sufлcient changes in  concentrations  of  CD4+,  IFN-γ+  cells.  Likewise,  there  was  no  detectable  in”uence  of  the  abovementioned  drugs upon the numbers of RA EBV-speciлc CD4+ , IFNγ+ cells. Thus, in RA patients, the antigen-induced activation of EBVspeciлc CD4+T-cells is reduced. Meanwhile, in vitro supplement with statins and the mentioned biological agents did not promote further suppression of this cell activity. (Med. Immunol., 2011, vol. 13, N 1, pp 101-104)