Synthesis of mRNAs for the key immunoactive cytokines was studied in mononuclear cells (MNC) from human peripheral blood, using reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction, after incubation of isolated cells with human serum γ-globulin, zinc ions, or zinc-γ-globulin metal complexes. A constitutive presence of interferon-α (IFNα) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) mRNA was shown in MNC of all of the subjects observed, whereas IFNγ, IL-4, or IL-8 mRNA synthesis was not detectable. Expression of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6 и IL-10 was revealed in only a half of cases. It has been shown that pure γ-globulins did induce IFNγ gene expression and enhance transcriptional activity of IL-1β and IL-2 genes. Zinc cations did also promote transcription of IL-1β gene, along with reduced synthesis of IL-2 and IFNγ mRNA, compared to the γ-globulin. In presence of γ-globulin-zinc complexes, IL-1β mRNA was synthesized at the same level, as following induction with control γ-globulin, whereas IL-2 gene expression was reduced, and IFNγ mRNA synthesis was abolished. The results are discussed in terms of immune response polarization in presence of γ-globulins and their metal complexes with zinc.

A panel of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against VP35, VP40 and NP viral proteins of Marburg and Ebola viruses, as well as recombinant VP35, VP40 and NP proteins were generated and tested for their capacity to specific immune reactions. Monoclonal antibodies to appropriate viral proteins effectively recognized the VP35, VP40 and NP recombinant proteins, thus allowing to develop a variant of a MAb-based ELISA analysis with different types of biotin-labeled MAbs, using these antibodies for capturing viral and recombinant antigens of Marburg and Ebola viruses. These techniques were able to detect viral and recombinant proteins in a concentration range between 1 and 150 ng/ml. We conclude that the recombinant VP35, VP40 and NP proteins of filoviruses, as well as MAbs against these viral proteins represent a promising tool for a new generation of immunodiagnostic kits and studying immunological features of filovirus infection.

Mice with lupus-like autoimmune glomerulonephritis induced by chronic graft-versus-host reaction, have been treated with irradiation at lethal doses, followed by injection of bone marrow cells from syngeneic donors. Following such treatment, the autoimmune process was interrupted, as judged by disappearance of anti-DNA autoantibodies in peripheral blood. A drop in urine protein to normal values was also observed in the marrow recipients, thus being a characteristic sign of recovery from glomerulonephritis. Correction of the disease was confirmed by morphological data: the signs of oedema were diminished, and inflammatory reaction was found to be decreased in the kidneys of animals with lupus-like disorder after marrow transplantation.

In present work, a comparative analysis of cytostatic and cytotoxic activity of IL-4 and IFNα-induced dendritic cells (IL-4- and IFN-DCs) has been performed in healthy donors and patients with brain tumors. Cytostatic activity was evaluated, as a capacity of DCs to inhibit growth of NK-resistant HEp-2 and A-549 tumor cell lines, whereas cytotoxic activity was measured by assessment of HEp-2 lysis. As compared with IL4-DC, IFN-DCs from healthy donors displayed a more pronounced cytostatic effect and similar cytotoxic activity against HEp-2 cells. In the patients with brain tumors, IFN-DCs were characterized by decreased cytotoxic activity. Meanwhile, DCs from the patients with malignant gliomas virtually did not exhibit a cytotoxic potential, whereas IFN-DCs from the patients with benign brain tumors retained their cytotoxic properties. A comparative study has shown that, in contrast to healthy donors, IFN-DCs from the patients with either malignant or benign brain tumors did not inhibit HEp-2 proliferation. The loss of DC-mediated cytostatic activity was not associated with decrease of CD123+ DCs (known as cells with maximal tumor-inhibitory potential), and, most likely, it resulted from functional changes in IFN-DC populations.

On the basis of clinical observations in eighty-eight persons with chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) at mild, moderate and severe clinical stages, and twenty-two persons with chronic bronchitis in recurrence phase, we have revealed some features of immune disturbances in various clinical forms of ventilation disorders. A direct dependence between severity of main disorder and the degree of cellular immune deficiency was shown, manifesting as low expression of early and late activation markers (resp., СD25 and HLA-DR). We have revealed a coupling between severity of clinical manifestations, degree of ventilation problems, and disturbances of immune response in COPD patients. This immune response depends on the level of T-helpers, expression of early and late activation markers.

The aim of this work was a simultaneous analysis of functional platelet activity using both standard optical aggregometry and flow cytometry, by means of measuring P-selectin and GP IIb-IIIa glycoprotein receptor contents on the surface of ADP-induced platelets. GP IIb-IIIa amounts and P-selectin expression on cell surface are significantly increased on platelets after activation with 10 mcM ADP, both in normal donors and in aspirin-treated patients. In clopidogrel-treated patients, the amounts of expressed P-selectin and GP IIb-IIIa did not change after ADP induction, thus suggesting absence of detectable ADP-induced platelet activation in this group. By means of Spearman criterion, a distinct correlation was found between the P-selectin expression, GP IIb-IIIa contents, and rates of standard ADP-induced aggregation. A combination of standard ADP-induced aggregation/activation of platelets with flow cytometry using FITC or PE-labeled antibodies to P-selectin and GP IIb-IIIa, allowed us to apply immunological approaches to analysis of platelet hemostasis, to propose novel laboratory criteria for evaluation of platelet hyperaggregation, and to detect differential effects of clopidogrel and aspirin.

We have performed analysis of associations between IL-1β gene promoter polymorphism (-511C/T and -31 T/C variants), and conventional cardiovascular risk factors in the patients living in the West Siberia who had previously a history of myocardial infarction (MI). We are shown a strong linkage disequilibrium between IL-1β -31C/T (rs1143627), and IL-1β-511T/C (rs16944). Significant differences in frequency distributions of some compound genotypes were observed between healthy and patients with a history of MI. E.g., frequency of IL-1β-31CC/-511CT genotype was detected in 5.5 % of healthy population, while being absent among MI patients. A frequency of IL-1β (-31/-511) CC/CT genotype showed significant differences between MI patients under 55 years, as compared to healthy persons. Hence, the analyzed IL-1β promoter polymorphisms may be considered as an additional constitutional factor predisposing for vascular alterations.

 In this article, we present results of local treatment of purulent wounds caused by various agents, in 232 patients, using local immunocorrection techniques combined with therapeutic application of nitrogen monoxide (NO). A series of immunological, cytological, microbiological researches have been carried out, showing a direct antibacterial effect of myelopid has been defined, and appropriate criteria have been developed for scoring intensity of inflammation affecting soft tissues. A justification for combined therapy with NО and myelopid has been obtained, and a method of local treatment of wound infections has been offered and patented. Basing on these experimental and clinical studies, as well as dynamic indices of wound process, we have shown a benefit from local immunocorrection by means of combined NО/myelopid treatment for complex therapy of purulent wounds.

The aim of present work was to study IL-1β, IL-6, and TNFα levels in the patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) accompanied by anxiety and depression. We have revealed a significant increase in IL-6 and TNFα in the patients with ischemic CAD associated with comorbid affective disturbances, as compared to the persons with CAD free of mood disorders. Our results support a «cytokine» hypothesis of affective disturbances in CAD patients, i.e., in cases associated with anxiety and depression.

At present time, immunotyping of lymphocyte subpopulations is an obligatory test, if an acquired immunodeficiency state is suspected, e.g., in chronic recurrent furunculosis. However, the data obtained are sometimes difficult to interprete, due to of insignificant and or multidirectional changes of parameters determined in the patients undergoing immunological testing. In present study, some basic features of immune status were examined in the patients with chronic recurrent furunculosis, being in remission state. A detailed analysis of separate immunological indices is presented, taking into account duration of the disease, periodicity of recurrencies, and individual clinical features of furunculosis. Dynamics of immunological test values in the course of disease and upon clinical exacerbations were subject to special analysis. Altered relationships between lymphocyte subpopulation are described in patients with furunculosis.

We have performed a complex study of low-intensity magnet/laser effects upon main effector functions of neutrophils in females suffering with chlamydial infection. A dysfunction of neutrophil granulocytes was revealed in this group of patients. First of all, it manifested as decreased number of bactericidal and phagocytic activity and lower rates of phagocytosis. It was found out that the proportion of active intracellular forms of oxygen was considerably decreased in patients, as compared to healthy subjects. A combined treatment by low-intensity laser irradiation and magnetic fields caused elimination of the revealed neutrophilic dysfunction.

We have analyzed the results of combined clinical laboratory study in 100 patients, in whom abdominal sepsis was diagnosed. Along with a standard protocol of medical and diagnostic measures, all the patients underwent immunological examination, i.e., populations and subpopulations of immunocompetent cells were defined by indirect immunofluorescence method, immunoglobulins of main types, and serum cytokines were defined by means of immune-enzyme assay. Immunoregulatory index and levels of IL-1ra in blood serum significantly correlated with severe state and disease outcomes in the patients with abdominal sepsis. Due to such characteristic features, the CD4+/CD8+ ratio and IL-1ra level were are included into a proposed list of parameters able to predict fatal outcome in the patients with abdominal sepsis.

In present work, some immunogenetic aspects of pulmonary tuberculosis were studied, using modern techniques from molecular genetics and immunology. It is shown that carriage of Т allele and homozygous TT genotype in +874А/Т IFNγ gene polymorphism comprise a immunogenetic factor which correlated with a protective effect, regarding a susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis. Predisposition for tuberculosis infection is associated with A allele of this gene, as well as with АА and АТ genotypes of +874A/T IFNγ gene. Clinical evolution of pulmonary tuberculosis is accompanied by increase in IFNγ production.