Abstract. The review article summarizes current information about transcriptional factors Fохр3, GATA- 3, РАХ-5 and their cooperative interactions. Predomination of one of these factors leads to production of corresponding cytokines and appropriate changes in T and B cell functions, thus causing development of different inflammatory events and typical symptoms. Focusing the discussion on Foxp3, GATA-3 and PAX- 5 is essential for understanding pathogenesis of inflammatory lung diseases, in particular, bronchial asthma. The data obtained will be helpful in development of novel therapeutic strategies. Mechanisms of cooperative interactions of Fохр3, GATA-3 and РАХ-5, generally, remain poorly understood. In this article, we present modern, sometimes, controversial views on this issue. In particular, we are discussing regulation of Foxp3 expression, molecular interactions affecting production of PAX-5 factor, as well as addressing possible indirect interactions between these transcription factors via implementing GATA-3 and STAT6 functions.

Abstract. Clinical structure of urticaria has been changed over last decade, due to discovery of an autoimmune form of the disease. This clinical form of chronic idiopathic urticaria comprises 30 to 52% of total. Incidence of physical urticaria varies from 17 to 20%, whereas other forms, including allergic urticaria, are diagnosed for < 5% of the patients. Different types of chronic urticaria exhibit their typical immunological features and clinical characteristics. A joint study of European Expert Group for Allergology, Clinical Immunology and Dermatology (EAACI/GA2LEN/EDF/UNEV) is going on. Appropriate recommendations are aimed for improvement of diagnosis and management of children with this disease.

Abstract. Interactions between B1, B2 and bone marrow dendritic cells (DCs) of CBA mice were investigated in the course of immune response to T-independent antigen type 2 (TI 2 Ag) in model system. Splenocytes of Xid-mice CBA/N were used as “fillers”. It was shown that DCs augmented viability of B1 and B2 lymphocytes. Functional activity of the B1 and B2 lymphocytes was determined by ELISPOT method, as relative numbers of antibody- and immunoglobulin-forming cells (AFCs and IFCs, respectively) detectable after four days in culture. An increased immune response to TI 2 Ag in presence of DCs was observed mainly for B2 subpopulation, containing MZ-B lymphocytes as well. Specific effect of DC upon B2 cell subpopulation was confirmed by detection of direct in vitro interactions of DCs with T and B lymphocytes. DCs cultivated with B2 and T lymphocytes, used as fillers, decreased the numbers of AFCs and IFCs, irrespectively of absence or presence of TI-2 Ags. A decrease in AFC and IFC numbers in the cultures with B1 cells was evident in presence of the Ags only. It was shown that the inhibitory effect of DCs depended on their contact interactions. Separate cultures of B1 and B2 cells with DC under transwell conditions resulted into occurence of AFC and IFC in amounts similar to those generated in vitro without DCs.

Abstract. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) was reproduced in a rat model, by means of intratracheal instillation of granulocyte lysates (a method protected by Russian patent). Expression of HSP-70 in lung cells was determined by immunohistochemical technique at each ARDS stage. A significant increase of HSP-70 expression by all cell types was revealed during exudative stage, being more intensive in alveolocytes type 1, and less expressed in endothelium. During proliferative stage of the disorder, a decreased HSP-70 expression was noted in all cell populations. At these terms, it proved to be high in neutrophils and alveveolocytes type 1, whereas lower expression was registered in endothelium. At fibrotic stage, HSP-70 synthesis remained at high levels in neutrophils, macrophages, fibroblasts and alveolocytes type 1. Endothelium and alveolocytes type 2 exhibited a recurrent increase at fibrotic stage of ARDS, however it did not reach the values typical to the initial stage of the syndrome.

Abstract. Characteristics of myeloid and plasmacytoid dendritic cells from peripheral blood were studied in healthy donors and patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We evaluated relative amounts of dendritic cell by their subtypes, degree of their maturity, and ability to respond to the maturation factors (toll-like receptor 4, 7 and 8 agonists). The results of in vitro experiments have shown that the patients with rheumatoid arthritis exhibited a significant reduction in numbers of plasmacytoid dendritic cells from peripheral blood. A sufficient decrease in CD83, CD80 expression on dendritic cell subtypes in RA patients was significantly less, than in healthy donors. In patients with RA, a significant increase in the number of CCR7-expressing plasmacytoid dendritic cells was shown in peripheral blood. In stimulated cultures, maturation of dendritic cells expressing maturation markers (CD83, CD80, CCR7) proved to be increased up to normal values. It should be noted that the counts of plasmacytoid dendritic cells in peripheral blood of RA patients expressing CCR7 was significantly higher than among healthy donors. Meanwhile, expression of CD83 and CD80 increased tovalues of healthy donors.

Hence, we have found a significant reduction in relative counts of blood-derived myeloid and plasmacytoid dendritic cells expressing markers of mature dendritic cells (CD83, CD80) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Upon stimulated in vitro maturation, the counts of myeloid and plasmacytoid dendritic cells expressing CD83 and CD80 increased to the values corresponding to those of control group. RA patients showed significantly higher numbers of plasmacytoid dendritic cells expressing CCR7. This could indicate some changes in functional activity of dendritic cells in peripheral blood of patients with RA.

Abstract. Detection of circulating autoantibodies provides valuable diagnostic criteria for autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). In this study, a panel of autoantibodies (ANA, ASMA, AMA) and ANCA was determined by indirect immunofluorescence assay in 191 patients, including those with AIH type 1 (n = 42), with PBC (n = 39), with overlapping AIH-1/PBC syndrome (n = 20), and 100 patients with viral hepatitis С (HCV). Autoantibodies against PDC/AMA-M2, M2-3E, PML, Sp100, gp210, SSA-Ro52, SLA/LP, LC-1 were detected by means of immune blotting in 53 patients with autoimmune liver diseases (AIH, 19; PBC, 23; AIH/PBC, 11). ANA were detected in 88.1% of AIH-1 patients, 89.7% of PBC cases, and 100% of combined AIH-1/PBC syndrome, with highest ANA titers observed in the latter group. In patients with HCV, ANA were detected in 20%, and ASMA in 2% of the cases.

ASMA and ANCA were found in monovariant AIH only (61.9% for ASMA, р < 0.001), and 35.7% for ANCA (р < 0.01). Anti-SLA/LP were detected in 15% of AIH patients, mostly with negative ANA and ASMA. PDC/AMA-M2 were identified in all patients with PBC and AIH-1/PBC, whereas AMA was detectable in 84.6% of PBC patients. Anti-M2-3E antibodies were found only in patients with PBC including those with an overlap syndrome. Occurence of detectable antibodies to gp210, Sp100, PML and SSA-Ro52 was similar in all groups. In our study, we have not confirmed a view that anti-gp210 and anti-Sp100 antibodies are highly specific for primary biliary cirrhosis.

Abstract. We have studied effects of UV irradiation (240-390 nm) at a dose range of 151 to 1359 J/m2 upon expression levels of different surface markers (CD2, CD11a, CD3, CD4, CD8) of human blood T lymphocytes by means of laser flow cytofluorimetry. It is revealed that UV-irradiation at the doses of 151 to 906 J/m2 caused increased expression of CD3, CD4, CD8 membrane markers of the T-lymphocytes. Meanwhile, it was shown that expression levels of CD2 and CD11a adhesion molecules on T-lymphocytes after exposure to UVirradiation (151 to 906 J/m2) remained similar to those for intact cells. UV-irradiation at a dose of 1359 J/ m2 was shown to reduce expression of CD2, CD11a and CD3 markers, along with increased expression level of CD4 and CD8 co-receptor molecules at the T-lymphocytes.

Abstract. The aim of this study was to investigate some characteristics of neutrophils and monocytes in patients with acute leukemia, depending on presence of an infectious syndrome, as based on studying of CD16, CD64, HLA-DR receptors, along with assaying myeloperoxidase (MPO) and functional activity of the cells. Infectious syndrome in acute leukemia patients was accompanied by changes in antibody-dependent cytotoxicity against neutrophils (decreased CD16 and increase in CD64 expression), lower phagocytic capacity of the cells, and myeloperoxidase deficiency of neutrophils and monocytes. In patients with inflammatory manifestations of infectious syndrome (i.e., acute tonsillitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, etc.), the signs of neutrophilic insussiciency were more pronounced, i.e., CD16+ neutrophils comprised 24.36±7.43%, as compared with 74.21±5.43% in controls, p < 0.001; MPO positivity was detected in 29.15±12.6% of the cells against 96.1±1.94% in controls, p < 0.01; MPO expression: 5.34±3.07 MFI, with 32.9±10.76 in controls, p < 0,05. These data suggest significant disturbances of anti-infectious elimination mechanisms.

Abstract. We have examined ninety-three patients with locally advanced renal cell cancer at the age of 45 to 55 years. Immunological testing was performed before radical nephrectomy and 14 days after surgery. The cellular and humoral immune parameters and cell chemiluminescence were studied both at baseline and in stimulated cells. We found changes of immunophenotypic profile of blood lymphocytes, serum immunoglobulin indexes and chemiluminescence response of blood neutrophils, dependent on tumor histology.

Abstract. This work presents data on immune state of children with bronchial asthma living under environmental conditions of the Yakutia and Amur river regions. We examined immune functions of blood cells in 102 children with allergic diseases (bronchial asthma). Certain geographical and ecological conditions provide some specific change of immune system (immune deficiency) in the children with allergy. We have shown that the children with bronchial asthma exhibited immunological shifts in Th1/Th2 mechanism of immune responses, enhancement of humoral immune factors and deficiency of the phagocyte components.