A new role for PGRP-S (Tag7) in immune defense: lymphocyte migration is induced by a chemoattractant complex of Tag7 with Mts1

PGRP-S (Tag7) is an innate immunity protein involved in the antimicrobial defense systems, both in insects and in mammals. We have previously shown that Tag7 specifically interacts with several proteins, including Hsp70 and the calcium binding protein S100A4 (Mts1), providing a number of novel cellular functions. Here we show that Tag7–Mts1 complex causes chemotactic migration of lymphocytes, with NK cells being a preferred target. Cells of either innate immunity (neutrophils and monocytes) or acquired immunity (CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ lymphocytes) can produce this complex, which confirms the close connection between components of the 2 branches of immune response.     

The economic valuation of biological resources and ecosystem services in the Sea of Okhotsk

The total monetary value of the harvestable stocks of commercial aquatic species in the Sea of Okhotsk, based on the Forecast of the Total Allowable Catch for 2014 and world prices for seafood, is estimated at $23.5 × 10⁹ USD/year. The potential value of all the surveyed biological resources in the sea (including potential ones) in the case of their more complete economic use, $58.5 × 10⁹ USD/year, is determined using the databases on macrofauna in the pelagic and benthic zones of the Far Eastern seas. Taking the mean value of ecosystem services per unit area in some parts of the World Ocean into account, the total value of ecosystem services for the Sea of Okhotsk may constitute $294.4 × 10⁹ USD/year. The ecosystem services whose market values cannot be determined have a much higher cost than the traditionally exploited biological resources. The value of ecosystem services expressed in monetary terms can be considered as a tool to enhance the conservation importance of natural complexes in the course of the implementation of various industrial projects.     

Assessment of the cyto- and genotoxic effects of a nanoferromagnetic and a static magnetic field in vivo

The cyto- and genotoxic effects of ferromagnetic nanoparticles (FNs), a static magnetic field (SMF), or their combination were comparatively studied in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells, bone marrow (BM) erythroid series cells, and peripheral blood lymphocytes at definite time intervals, using the MN test and the DNA-comet assay. The MN test and the DNA-comet assay were used as markers of genotoxic exposure. It has been shown that the limit value of insignificantly expressed changes in the EAC cell architectonics (due to FNs) is an FN concentration of 3 mg/kg. The FN concentration increases in tumor cells, because the expressed blebbing in the cytoplasmic membrane increases the amount of micronuclei and the percentage of DNA in the comet tail in EAC cells, BM erythroid series cells, and peripheral blood lymphocytes. It has also been demonstrated that an SMF alone, as an independent factor, does not produce cytogenotoxic effects on the studied cells. When SMF and FN were used in combination, we could observe the phenomenon of SMF induction by FNs, which manifested itself as an increased total effect of these factors on cells. The MN-test and the DNA-comet assay can be used for assessing the genomic stability of both tumor cells and somatic nonmalignized cells when testing the genotoxic effect of nanomaterials used in the design of vector systems. As was established, the DNA-comet method demonstrated a higher sensitivity in the assessment of the genotoxicity produced by the studied factors.     

Dihydroxydocosahexaenoic acids of the neuroprotectin D family: synthesis, structure, and inhibition of human 5-lipoxygenase

During aerobic oxidation of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), soybean lipoxygenase (sLOX) has been shown to form 7,17(S)-dihydro(pero)xydocosahexaenoic acid [7,17(S)-diH(P)DHA] along with its previously described positional isomer, 10,17(S)-dihydro(pero)xydocosahexa-4Z,7Z,11E,13Z,15E,19Z-enoic acid. 7,17(S)-diH(P)DHA was also obtained via sLOX-catalyzed oxidation of either 17(S)-hydroperoxydocosahexaenoic acid [17(S)-HPDHA] or 17(S)-hydroxydocosahexaenoic acid [17(S)-HDHA]. The structures of the products were elucidated by normal-phase, reverse-phase, and chiral-phase HPLC analyses and by ultraviolet, NMR, and tandem mass spectroscopy and GC-MS. 7,17(S)-diH(P)DHA was shown to have 4Z,8E,10Z,13Z,15E,19Z geometry of the double bonds. In addition, a compound apparently identical to the sLOX-derived 7,17(S)-diH(P)DHA was produced by another enzyme, potato tuber LOX, in the reactions of oxygenation of either 17(S)-HPDHA or 17(S)-HDHA. All of the dihydroxydocosahexaenoic acids (diHDHAs) formed by either of the enzymes were clearly produced through double lipoxygenation of the corresponding substrate. 7,17(S)-diHDHA inhibited human recombinant 5-lipoxygenase in the reaction of arachidonic acid (AA) oxidation. In standard conditions with 100 microM AA as substrate, the IC(50) value for 7,17(S)-diHDHA was found to be 7 microM, whereas IC(50) for 10,17(S)-DiHDHA was 15 microM. Similar inhibition by the diHDHAs was observed with sLOX, a quintessential 15LOX, although the strongest inhibition was produced by 10,17(S)-diHDHA (IC(50) = 4 microM). Inhibition of sLOX by 7,17(S)-diHDHA was slightly less potent, with an IC(50) value of 9 microM. These findings suggest that 7,17(S)-diHDHA along with its 10,17(S) counterpart might have anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities, which could be exerted, at least in part, through direct inhibition of 5LOX and 15LOX.     

Extracellular HspBP1 inhibits formation of a cytotoxic Tag7-Hsp70 complex in vitro and in human serum

Tag7 (PGRP-S) was described as an innate immunity protein. Earlier we have shown that Tag7 forms with Hsp70 a stable complex with cytotoxic and antitumor activity. The same complex is formed in and secreted by cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. We have also found that Hsp-binding protein HspBP1 incapacitates the Tag7-Hsp70 complex. Here we have studied the interaction of extracellular Tag7 and HspBP1. We have shown that HspBP1 binds Tag7 in the conditioned medium of tumor CSML0 cells, thereby preventing formation of the cytotoxic Tag7-Hsp70 complex. We have also found that Tag7, if present in serum (in every third donor on average), is always in complex with HspBP1. This may be a protective measure against indiscriminate attack of the cytotoxic complex on normal cells.     

Heavy Metal Accumulation and Distribution in Organs of the Mussel Crenomytilus grayanus from Upwelling Areas of the Sea of Okhotsk and the Sea of Japan

The subcellular and cytosolic distribution of Zn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Mn, Cd, and Pb in the digestive gland and kidney of the mussel Crenomytilus grayanus from upwelling areas of the Sea of Okhotsk and the Sea of Japan was studied. Cd, Zn, Pb, and Ni have accumulated in the kidneys of mussels from these areas. When the concentrations of both essential and toxic metals in the mussel organs had increased significantly, their redistribution into the cytosol took place. Gel chromatography of cytosolic proteins in the kidneys of mussels sampled in the area with a strong stationary upwelling revealed metallothioneins. This is uncommon for bivalve mollusks from unpolluted areas. High molecular weight proteins act as preliminary ligands for Cd.     

Molecular biomarkers of the physiological state of mitten crab Eriocheir japonica (de Haan, 1835) in the estuarine zones of Peter the Great Bay (Sea of Japan)

The mitten crab Eriocheir japonica (de Haan, 1835) is used as an indicator species for the biochemical monitoring of different estuarine zones in Peter the Great Bay (Sea of Japan). The following molecular biomarkers are determined in the gills and hepatopancreas of the crabs: the activity of biotransformation of enzyme glutathione-S-transferase; antioxidative enzymes, superoxide dismutase, and catalase; and reduced glutathione concentration and lipid peroxidation level measured as malondialdehyde. The state of biochemical indicators testify to the good physiological condition of crabs from estuaries of Shkotovka and Sukhodol rivers and to a depressed physiological condition for crans from the Tesnya River. The latter crabs have lower activity of catalase but higher glutathione-S-transferase activity and lipid peroxidation level. Using the data of molecular-biomarker determination, the integral biochemical index was calculated, which made it possible to rank the estuaries by the extent of adverse effects on the biota. Researching the functional condition of the indicator species allows one to estimate and predict the biota state under anthropogenic impact.     

Evaluation of the genome stability and mitochondrial potential of tumor cells in vivo under the action of nanoferromagnetics with different sizes of nanoparticles

The transmembrane potential and genome stability of tumor cells under nanoferromagnetic action with different sizes of nanoparticles were studied in vivo. An evaluation of the genotoxic influence of nanoeferromagnetics on tumor cells and changes in their mitochondrial potential was carried out with the application of a micronuclei test and mitochondrial fluorescent probe JC-1. Nanoferromagnetics with nanoparticle diameters of 40 and 100 nm at a concentration of 3 mg/kg were not found to deminish the trasmembrane mitochondrial potential and the genome of tumor cells and increase the micronucleus frequency of tumor cells to only a small extent. Iron nanoparticles at a concentration of 6 mg/kg were noted to demonstrate an antidromonous character of the changing mitochondrial potential and micronuclei frequency depending on their size. Iron nanoparticles with a smaller diameter were found to provoke an essential rise in the transmembrane potential of tumor cell metachondria on the background of a constant number of micronuclei, and the opposite was true for those with a greater diameter. The data obtained can serve as an important criterion for further studies in experimental oncology to create an optimal system for delivering anticancer preparations to tissue targets.     

Hydrogen peroxide induced by modulated electromagnetic radiation protects the cells from DNA damage

It is believed that non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation (EMR) and low-level hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) may change nonspecific resistance and modify DNA damage caused by ionizing radiation. To check this assumption, the combined effects of extremely high-frequency EMR (EHF EMR) and X-rays on induction of DNA damage in mouse whole blood leukocytes were studied. The cells were exposed to X-rays with or without preliminary treatment with EHF EMR or low-level H₂O₂. With the use of enhanced chemiluminescence, it was shown for the first time that pulse-modulated EHF EMR (42.2 GHz, incident power density of 0.1 mW/cm², exposure duration of 20 min, modulation frequency of 1 Hz) induced H₂O₂ at a concentration of 4.6 ± 0.3 nM L^?1 in physiological saline. With the use of an alkaline comet assay, it was found that the exposure of cells to the pulse-modulated EHF EMR, 25 min prior to treatment with X-rays at a dose of 4 Gy reduced the level of ionizing radiation-induced DNA damage. Continuous EHF EMR was inefficient. In turn, it was shown that low-level H₂O₂ (30–500 nM L^?1) protected the cells against X-irradiation. Thus, the mechanisms of radiation protective effect of EHF EMR are connected with the induction of the adaptive response by nanomolar concentrations of reactive oxygen species formed by pulse-modulated EHF EMR.     

Impact of climate change on population dynamics of forest voles (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Myodes</Emphasis>) in northern Pre-Urals: The role of landscape effects

In recent years in northern Pre-Urals, the population dynamics of forest voles has undergone significant changes. In the foothill area, the abundance of the red-backed vole has decreased and that of the bank vole has increased significantly. As a result, the latter becomes the dominant species. In nearby lowland areas, the population of the bank vole has remained stable while the red-backed vole has increased. The main cause of these changes is the transformation of the environment under the influence of global climate change. This affects mainly foothill conifer forests and, to a lesser extent, lowland forests. As a consequence, responses of various vole species to these changes in different landscape areas are not identical.