Increased incidence of malignancies requires a search for new therapeutic approaches. E.g., photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an effective anti-cancer treatment that involves administration of a photosensitizing dye followed by visible light irradiation of the tumor. Pre-clinical studies have shown that local photodynamic therapy enhances systemic antitumor immunity. Moreover, it is well known that the long-term effects of PDT depend on functioning of intact adaptive immune response. In this context, the immune system plays a fundamental role. Interestingly, the PDT action is associated with stimulation of systemic immune response against a locally treated tumor. In fact, PDT has been shown to effectively stimulate both innate and adaptive immune systems of the host, by triggering the release of various pro-inflammatory and acutephase response mediators thus leading to massive infiltration of the treated site with neutrophils, dendritic cells and other inflammatory cells. PDT efficacy depends, in part, on induction of tumor-specific immune response which is dependent on cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells. The set of specific receptors enables NK cells to recognize surface molecules on the target cells. Expression of the latter molecules is indicative of viral infection, tumor formation, or cell stress (e.g., DNA damage). The NK cells are also involved into various biological processes in the organism, playing a critical role in immune surveillance, thus representing a potential tool for cancer therapy. It was shown that the tumor cells have increased sensitivity to NK cell-mediated lytic action following PDT. In this review, we further discuss potential relationships between PDT and antitumor immune response.

Rotavirus infection is among leading causes of severe diarrhea which often leads to severe dehydration, especially, in children under 5 years old. In Russia, the incidence of rotavirus infection is constantly increased, due to higher rates of actual rotavirus infection cases and improved diagnostics of the disease. Immunity to rotavirus is unstable, thus causing repeated infections intra vitam. Anti-infectious resistance in reconvalescents is explained by induction of specific IgM, IgG, and, notably, IgA antibodies. Due to absence of market drugs with direct action against rotavirus, a rational vaccination is considered the most effective way to control the disease. Currently available vaccines for prevention of rotavirus infection are based on live attenuated rotavirus strains, human and/or animal origin, which replicate in human gut. Their implementation may result into different complications. Meanwhile, usage of vaccines based on recombinant proteins is aimed to avoid risks associated with introduction of a complete virus into humans. In this paper, we studied protective activity of candidate vaccines against rotavirus.

In this work we studied protective activity of a candidate vaccine against rotavirus infection based on recombinant FliCVP6VP8 protein which includes VP6 and VP8, as well as components of Salmonella typhimurium flagellin (FliC) as an adjuvant. Different components are joined by flexible bridges. Efficiency of the candidate vaccine was studied in animal model using Balb/c mice. We have shown high level of protection which occurs when the candidate vaccine is administered twice intramuscularly. Complete protection of animals against mouse rotavirus EDC after intramuscular immunization with a candidate vaccine was associated with arising rotavirus-specific IgA and IgG antibodies in serum and intestine of immunized animals. The efficacy of candidate vaccine based on recombinant protein FliCVP6VP8 against rotavirus infection was comparable to that of commercial Rotarix® vaccine (Glaxo Smith Kline), however, with higher safety of the candidate vaccine, due to absence of live virus in its composition. Hence, the results obtained justify further pre-clinical studies of the candidate vaccine based on a recombinant protein.

Chronic recurrent infections caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2 represent a serious medical and social challenge. Given an important role of immune system in surveillance of viral infections, an induced enhancement of antigen-specific immune response seems to be a promising approach to treatment of recurrent HSV infections, in particular, using dendritic cell (DCs) vaccines. The present paper contains results of an open pilot study evaluating efficacy and safety of dendritic-cell vaccines in the patients with recurrent HSV infections. Twenty-nine patients including 14 persons with labial herpes, and 15, with genital herpes have been enrolled in this study. DCs were generated in presence of GM-CSF and IFNα and then loaded with recombinant viral proteins (HSV1gD or HSV2gD). These cells were applied in 2 rounds of vaccination performed within 9 months. Immunotherapy with DCs did not induce sufficient side effects, and was accompanied by more than two-fold decrease in relapse rate and increased length of remissions during the 9-month period of treatment. Later on, we revealed a reduced frequency of relapses, and a 3-fold increase in remission duration over the subsequent 6-month follow up. The clinical effect during the treatment and at later terms (a half-year observation) was noted with both labial and genital herpes, as registered in the majority of patients, being associated with induction of antigen-specific proliferative response and normalization of reduced mitogenic responsiveness of mononuclear cells towards ConA. The patients’ survey at longer terms (more than 24 months) has shown that the beneficial effect of immunotherapy, in terms of reduced relapse rates, was maintained in 77.8% of the respondents by 48 months (a median follow-up term). At this time, the antigen specific proliferative response was maintained in 66.7% of patients. The data obtained suggest that the dendritic-cell vaccines may be a promising approach to the treatment of recurrent labial and genital herpes.

The study presents results concerning effects of H3/H4 histamine receptors antagonist (Ciproxifan) upon in vitro chemokine secretion by dendritic cells (DC) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). We have been shown that in vitro inhibition of type H3/H4 histamine receptor affects in different ways production of major chemokines by PBMC and DC, including eotaxin, RANTES, MCP-1, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, GRO-α, and IL-8. E.g., RANTES and GRO-α secretion in DC cultures was reduced, respectively, by 20% and 40%. Meanwhile, MIP-1β secretion was virtually unchanged, whereas MCP-1 secretion exhibited a four-fold increase. In PBMC cultures, the H3/H4 receptor antagonist induced a significant increase in eotaxin, RANTES, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, GRO-α, and IL-8 secretion (p < 0.05).

We studied clinical efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy in children with combined respiratory forms of pollen allergy before and after three courses of treatment. The levels of G-CSF, GM-CSF, IL-10, IL-12p70, IFNγ, IL-13, IL-17A, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, TNFα, IL-8, MCP-1, MIP-1β were measured in nasal secretions. In remission state, the children with combined forms of respiratory allergy to pollen allergens showed local signs of chronic inflammatory process (in the nasal mucosa) associated with disturbed immune response, with increased synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines and decreased production anti-inflammatory cytokines, as well as enhanced reactions aimed for allergen elimination. Following clinical success of sublingual immunotherapy, we have shown a reduction in immunological imbalance, due to decreased activity of the systems modulating severity of inflammation and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Sixty patients with allergic bronchial asthma (ABA) and forty-one, with non-allergic bronchial asthma (NABA), as well as 23 healthy controls were under study. Expression of the SOCS5 mRNA from mononuclear blood cells was analyzed by RT-PCR. In patients with bronchial asthma, (ABA and NABA) we determined a significant increase of mRNA expression levels for a SOCS5 negative transcription regulator in peripheral blood mononuclears, in comparison with control group. Thus, an increase of SOCS5-expression, and of the SOCS3 mRNA expression in patients with BA may be associated with protective anti-inflammatory response.

The aim of the study was to investigate a relationship between cytokine-producing reserve of invasive ductal cancer cells and its microenvironment, and cytokine-producing reserve of immunocompetent blood cells (IBC), as well as with histopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics of breast cancer. Using ELISA method we investigated the spontaneous and stimulated with polyclonal activators (PA) cytokine-producing reserve of IBC and biopsy specimens from invasive ductal cancer (adenocarcinoma) in 34 women. Appropriate values were expressed by the Influence Index of polyclonal activators (IIPA) upon cytokine production (IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17, IL-18, IL-1β, IL-1ra, TNFα, IFNγ, G-CSF, GM-CSF, VEGF-A, MCP-1). In tumor biopsies, we studied expression of VEGF-A, estrogen receptor, progesteron receptor and pro-proliferation marker Ki-67 by means of immunohistochemical method. Activation values of blood IBC in most cases, except of IL-18, IL-1β and MCP-1, were higher than appropriate effects upon cytokine production by tumor tisuues. Meanwhile, the IIPA activation index upon IL-18 (a proinflammatory and prooncogene cytokine) production by tumor cells and its microenvironment proved to be elevated, as compared to appropriate IIPA by the blood IBC. Statistical studies showed a direct correlation between IIPA and cytokine production in tumor supernates, IIPA of VEGF-A expression in tumor tissue, with pathohistological parameters and expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors and Ki-67 proliferation marker. A high positive correlation was obtained between IIPA TNFα production by the tumor tissue, and degree of tumor vascularization.

We have revealed a negative correlation between IIPA for IL-6, MCP-1 and Ki-67 marker of cell proliferation. A direct correlation was found between IIPA values for IL-1ra/IL-1β production ratios in blood cells, and IIPA for VEGF-A expression in adenocarcinoma tissues, thus indicating to probable connections between IL-1ra production by IBC and VEGF-A expression. We have discerned several intersecting, diverging, and even circle-closed correlative chains of correlation, e.g.: VEGF-A (immunohistochemical marker of IIPA expression) – IL-10 and IL-8 (IIPA for supernate products); MCP-1, IL-6, and IL-10 (IIPA for supernate products)– VEGF-A (immunohistochemical indicator of expression for IIPA). The results of this study suggest a relationship between cytokine-producing reserves of the tumor identified by appropriate PA correlations with the processes occurring in malignant tumors, as assessed by histopathological and immunohistochemical parameters. The data are indicative for some complex mechanisms mediated by cytokines which provide invasive growth of malignant tumor.

The study for quantitation of TLR2, TLR4 and HBD-1 gene expression in urethral mucosal epithelium from women with chronic bacterial cystitis and healthy females. Materials and methods: RNA was extracted from the samples of urethral mucosa followed by RT-PCR. Results: increased expression of TLR2, TLR4 (respectively, 6.9-, 2.6-fold), along with 13.6-fold decrease in HBD-1 was revealed in women with chronic bacterial cystitis, as compared with appropriate parameters in normal women. Six months later, after combined therapy with autologous immunopeptide complex, TLR2, TLR4 и HBD1 expression levels proved to be near-normal in the patients, being similar to those in healthy females. Conclusion: Imbalanced expression of genes controlling innate immunity was revealed in urethral mucosa of the patients with chronic cystitis, thus increasing risk for urinary tract infections.

The aim of this study was to evaluate correlations between cytokine concentrations and parameters of respiratory burst in blood neutrophils, in order to predict potential development of abdominal sepsis in the patients with extended purulent peritonitis (EPP). The study involved fifteen patients with EPP. Peripheral blood samples were taken on the first day post-admissiona. Abdominal sepsis was diagnosed in thirty-five patients (70%) within 5…10 days after surgical intervention. Clinical complications were absent in fifteen patients (30%). Sixty-seven healthy individuals were examined as a control group. Evaluation of the cytokine concentrations was performed by ELISA technique. The degree of respiratory burst in blood neutrophils was measured by means of chemiluminescence assay.

It is revealed that the EPP patients exhibited increased levels of serum proinflammatory cytokines and IFNγ, along with higher intensity of respiratory burst in blood neutrophils, due to activated synthesis of of both primary and secondary reactive oxygen species (ROS). The EPP patients who later developed abdominal sepsis showed reduced spontaneous synthesis of primary ROS and increased spontaneous synthesis of secondary ROS. Upon zymosan induction of neutrophils, both primary and secondary ROS levels proved to be similar in the EPP subgroups with or without subsequent sepsis. EPP patients with uncomplicated post-surgical period still exhibited a predominant regulation of respiratory burst of neutrophils by IFNγ activity. Meanwhile, the neutrophil respiratory burst was correlated with TNFα and IL-6 in those patients who further developed abdominal sepsis. A stimulatory effect of IFNγ and a presumably inhibitory action of TNFα and IL-6 upon respiratory burst of blood neutrophils in EPP patients are associated with a release of large cytokine amounts during acute immune inflammatory events, and migration of activated cells to the inflammatory focus. In particular, the changes in the cytokine levels regulating the respiratory burst of neutrophils may be an important factor which predicts development of abdominal sepsis in EPP.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide, being quite complicated, with respect to diagnostics and postoperative prognosis. Proinflammatory cytokines are shown to be involved into CRC pathogenesis. However, the changes in alpha-2-macroglobulin (α2-MG), a known regulator of cytokine production, still remain unclear. The aim of this work was to compare contents and production of a2-MG and several pro-inflammatory cytokines in blood serum and supernates from short-term blood cell cultures. The samples were taken from the patients with CRC at initial terms and after surgical removal of the tumor.

Studies of cytokines and a2-MG concentrations in serum and supernates of 24-h blood cell cultures from the patients with verified CRC (stages T2-3N0-1M0 and T4N0-1M0) have shown some sufficient differences from healthy volunteers (control group). Pre-surgery IL-6 and TNFα contents in blood of CRC patients was significantly increased agains healthy controls (respectively, 29.9±5.4 and 3.4±1.5 pg/mL) versus control group (1.0±0.3 and 0 pg/mL, respectively). Following surgical treatment, the cytokine levels were decreased by 40- 60% after the operation, however, without significant differences from initial values.

The supernates of blood cultures stimulated with polyclonal mitogens exhibited significant reduction of IFNγ levels prior to surgery (273±123 pg/ml versus 804±154 pg/mL), and elevated IL-6 levels (14412±2570 pg/mL versus 1970±457 pg/mL). The mean α2-MG concentrations before CRC surgery comprised 1.96±0.11 g/L for blood serum, 0.0304±0.0047 g/L, for non-stimulated blood cell cultures, and 0.0300±0.0052 g/L in mitogen-induced cultures. These parameters did not significantly differ from control values (2.21±0.17 g/L, 0.0328±0.0018 g/L, and 0.0314±0.0019 g/L, respectively). Similar results have been yielded with the samples obtained after surgical treatment of the CRC patients.

The obtained data indicate that surgical treatment of CRC does not lead to normalization of the serum levels and secretion of pro-inflammatory IL-6 and TNFα cytokines by the patients’ blood cells. Marginal changes in a2-MG levels in colorectal cancer seem to be not of such importance, as functional state of the molecules which may abnormally respond to changing cytokine contents. The revealed post-surgical suppression of mitogen-induced IFNγ secretion makes it necessary to suggest administration of IFNγ and IL-2 after surgical treatment of CRC.

The prognostic value of tumor necrosis factor-alfa (TNFα), a pro-inflammatory cytokine was studied in 140 patients with a newly diagnosed chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). TNFα contents in blood serum was determined using ELISA method. A significant increase of serum TNFα was shown in patients with newly diagnosed CLL, as compared to healthy individuals. Dependence of the cytokine concentration on clnical stage and course of disease was revealed: the highest levels of serum TNFα were registered in patients with advanced disease and/or CLL progression. Distinct correlations were revealed between the studied cytokine amounts and clinical laboratory parameters reflecting the cell proliferative activity and tumor clone size. Immunochemotherapy was accompanied by a significant reduction of TNFα levels. According to the data from multivariate regression analysis. TNFα level of at the time of the diagnosis was an independent predictor of overall survival. Hence, TNFα plays an important role in CLL pathogenesis and may be used as an additional predictive factor for CLL outcomes.