Abstract. This section of our review article deals with prevalence, genetic factors, and some immune mechanisms of chronic urticaria in children. In any form of chronic urticaria, the main pathogenetic role is ascribed to mast cells and basophiles. Increased production of cyto- and chemokines, e.g., CCL2, CХCL8, IL-1, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17, is observed during chronic inflammatory reactions typical to this disease. Activation of mast cells and basophiles proceeds via specific receptors on the target cell membranes. Autoimmune urticaria is of special importance. In this disorder, autoantibodies are directed against IgE or FCεRIα, thus causing histamine release, due to cross-linking of α-chains of high-affinity IgE receptor, or binding of IgE fixed on the mast cells. Degranulation of basophils is followed by occurrence of activation molecules (СD203с, CD63). Some workers presumet that association between СD203с expression and positive autologous serum skin test may be a sign of autoimmune process. Increased expression of CD40L ligand on the surface of activated T cells suggests enhanced signaling for B cell activation and production of autoantibodies.

Abstract. Results of immunological and molecular biology investigations over last decades allowed clear to specify mechanisms of development and clinical features of allergic reactions to food of plant origin, including allergies to fruits Prunus persica - peaches and nectarines. The article contains the analysis of literature data on allergic reactions to peach, as well as clinical observations of the patients with this kind of allergy and of the results of the component component resolved diagnosis, ISAC ImmunoCAP, conducted by these patients. The collected data allow to detect two fundamentally different types of allergic reactions to Prunus persica. This is due to sensitization to allergen Pru p 3 severe systemic reaction, and due to sensitization to Pru p 1 or Pru p 4 – local response, manifesting oral allergy syndrome and associated with sensitization to pollen allergens.

Abstract. Мonocytes in feto-placental circulation are exposed to factors secreted by placental tissue. These factors influence monocyte functions in pregnancy. In present study, an in vitro model (monocyte-like THP-1 cells) was used for assessing effects of soluble placental factors obtained from women with physiological pregnancies, or preeclampsia cases. The following effects of placental factors were revealed: increased secretion of VEGF by THP-1 cells along with decreased secretion of IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1 under the influence of placental factors from the I. trimester of pregnancy in comparison with III. trimester. Secretion of IL-6 and MCP-1 by THP-1 cells was increased, and secretion of soluble TNFRII was decreased upon co-cultivation with soluble placental factors from the women with preeclampsia, as compared with placental products from physiological pregnancies.

The work is supported by grants ГК № 02.740.11.0711 from Ministry of Education and Science, and НШ-3594.2010.7 grant from the President of Russian Federation.

Abstract. In present study, we investigated the in vitro ability of autologous dendritic cells loaded with tumor lysate antigens to stimulate cytotoxic and secretory activity of effector cells from patients with colorectal cancer. To this purpose, we generated antigen-primed dendritic cells (DS) derived from adherent fraction of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMSc) obtained from patients with colorectal cancer. The DCs were then cocultured with non-adherent mononuclear cells, either in presence of IL-12 and IL-18, or without cytokines. The modulation efficiency was assessed as cytotoxic activity of mononuclear cells towards autologous tumor cells, production of IFNγ, IL-2, IL-4 and the number of perforin-, granzyme B-containing cells. We have demonstrated the ability of dendritic cells to stimulate the in vitro antitumor cytotoxic and secretory activity of effector cells in culture. A combination of dendritic cells with IL-12 and IL-18 is shown to enhance their effects in the mononuclear cells culture, as evidenced by increased percentage of dead autologous tumor cells, higher numbers of perforin(+), granzyme B(+) lymphocytes, and increased production of IFNγ, IL-2 increased.

Abstract. Cytokine-producing potential of peripheral blood cells was determined as a stimulation index with polyclonal activators (i.e., a cytokine production ratio of stimulated versus resting cells), as well as concentrations of cytokines were investigated in blood serum of patients with chronic atrophic gastritis. It was revealed that the stimulation indices concerning production of TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 by whole blood cells, along with serum concentrations of IL-8 and IL-18BP were increased in patients with epithelial dysplasia of stomach mucosa, as compared to patients without dysplasia. It was sahown, that the patients with higher polyclonal stimulation indices for IL-6 and IL-8 (resp., > 164 and > 38 arbitrary units) should be referred to a high-risk group for development of mucous epithelial dysplasia of stomach.

Abstract. We performed a study of efficiency for various immunocorrective drugs in a group of 548 young schoolchildren with recurrent respiratory infections. Frequency of respiratory infections and complication rates were taken as endpoints in this study. It was revealed, that preventive immunocorrection by bacterial lysates or glucosamine muramildipeptide combined with vitamin-mineral complexes may reduce frequency of respiratory infections and their complications at statistically significant levels, as well as to restore some abnormal parameters of immune profile, i.e., CD3, CD4, CD16, induced NBT test, IFNγ, TNFα and IgG. Preventive use of Echinaceae purpurae herbae succus or interferon alpha-2b in combination with vitaminmineral complexes statistically significantly reduces only the frequency of respiratory infections, and partially restores some deficient parameters of immune status (IgG, TNFα, CD16). Introduction of preventive immunocorrection in childhood institutions, with > 90 % coverage of children with recurrent respiratory diseases is associated with a decrease in frequency of respiratory infections not only in this cohort, like as among general population of the same age group.

Abstract. The aim of our study was to evaluate effects of steroid hormones upon the imbalance of Th1/Th2 cytokine production (IL-2, IFNγ, IL-4, IL-10) by CD45RO+ activated lymphocytes. In our experiments, we have shown a clear trend of multidirectional influence of steroid hormones upon secretory activity of T-lymphocytes. We have revealed that development of cellular immune responses mediated by type 1 T helper cells is regulated primarily by female sex hormones. Glucocorticoid hormones seem to exert a marked effect upon development of humoral Th2 immune response. For androgens, some controversial results have been obtained.

Abstract. We propose a protocol of treatment in cases of bronchial asthma with cytomegalovirus (CMV) persistence. This basic therapy is administered depending on the disease severity, according to the National Programme 2009. The treatment includes administration of human immunoglobulin, with dosage according on CMV antibodies titers. The study has revealed that such regimen of antibody administration based on the content of anti-CMV antibodies in bronchial asthma treatment stops active CMV replication in bronchial mucous membrane, alleviates clinical course of the disease, diminishes changes of immune system typical to children suffering from bronchial asthma and CMV reactivation, thus allowing to reduce the volume of basic therapy, along with maintaining control of asthma control.

Abstract. We had investigated serum levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-1ra and TNFα in peripheral blood of pregnant women at the terms of 38 to 40 weeks with polyhydramnios and serum IgG antibodies specific for Chlamydia trachomatis (titers of 1:20 to 1:40). Same parameters were tested in umbilical cord blood sera, obtained at delivery. We had found high levels of TNFα, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 in sera from umbilical cord blood, and increased levels of TNFα in maternal sera before delivery in a group of women with high Apgar scores of their children (≥ 8 points), in comparison with control group. High levels of TNFα, IL-6, IL-10 in sera from umbical cord and increased serum concentrations of IL-6, IL-10, IL-1ra and TNFα before delivery were evaluated in group of women with circulating antibodies against C. trachomatis during pregnancy and with low degrees of newborn children (< 7 by Apgar score). We suggest that high cytokine levels in maternal blood and in sera of umbilical cord blood from women with polyhydramnios and circulating antibodies against C. trachomatis sufficiently correlate with high clinical risk of intrauterine infection in newborns. However, high inter-individual variability of the cytokine parameters does not permit their usage as independent diagnostic criteria.

Аннотация. Иммунные системные реакции, а также гормональные и вегетативные реакции были оценены в twohundred-три учащихся средней школы во время их среднесрочных экзаменов. Проведен подробный анализ и кластеризация субъектов на 6 групп, в зависимости от конкретных характеристик биологических реакций, с тем чтобы оценить временную динамику иммунологических показателей и прогнозирования иммунологических изменений, которые сопровождают экзамен связанных психоэмоциональное напряжение.

Abstract. The aim of the study was to determine the concentrations of cytokines and pepsinogen in identifying the presence and strength of them relationship with acute gastric ulcer. ELISA method in the serum of the subjects were evaluated levels pro- and antiinflammatory cytokines and pepsinоgenes. Found a number of statistically significant, pathogenetic correla-tions that can be recommended for the combined determination of the immunodiagnostics and individual correction therapy.