Physico-chemical properties of microbial antigens and the immuno-allergic tests]

Experiments were conducted on guinea pigs sensitized by the delayed and immediate types of allergy. Different antigens obtained from the strain of Brucella abortus BA-19 were used for sensitization and the resolving action. Comparison of the resolving properties of the corpuscular, soluble (ultrasound treated) antigens and purified protein fractions, polysaccharide and RNA was carried out in the skin reactions of the immediate and delayed type, passive skin anaphylaxis, acute anaphylactic shock, and the Schults-Dale test. Immediate reactions to the purified protein fraction were weaker than those to the whole soluble antigen, by which the animals were sensitized. Polysaccharide and the RNA-fractions proved to be inactive in the allergic reactions.     

Cross reactive antigens of Acholeplasma laidlawii and L-form of Staphylococcus aureus]

We demonstrated that the membrane of Acholeplasma laidlawii PG8 and L-form of Staphylococcus aureus, both of which induce cellular immunity in BALB/c mice, were antigenically related each other. Foodpad responses of the mice immunized with a mixture of either antigen and Freund's complete adjuvant showed clearly a cross reaction when challenged with the other antigen. Cross responses to incorporate 3H-thymidine to the spleen lymphocytes of the mice immunized with either antigen occurred in the presence of the other antigen. Furthermore, the purified T cells, but not B cells, of the spleen were activated in the presence of antigen-presenting cells. These antigens existing in the membrane fractions of both microorganisms were purified by Razin's method. Finally, these membrane components of A. laidlawii and L-form of S. aureus were subjected to gel electrophoresis and transferring to nitrocellulose membrane and used to stimulate the spleen lymphocytes of the mice immunized with A. laidlawii or of non-immunized mice. The fractions representing molecular weights of approximately 45 kD, 25 kD, and 13 kD of both microorganisms consistently stimulated the lymphocytes of the immunized mice but not those of non-immunized mice.     

Redox processes in allergic reactions of the delayed type to microbial antigens]

The influence of common allergic response of delayed type to brucellosis antigen on the processes of glycolysis and dehydrogenase activity of Krebs' cycle in guinea pigs' blood and organs was studied. Along with inhibitory activity of four dehydrogenases investigated there was a depression of the glucolysis processes connected with reduction of the lactate, pyruvate content, and with depression of the LDH activity. An increase of the anaerobic fractions and lowering of aerobic fractions content and of the spectrum excess was seen in the isoenzyme LDH spectrum.     

Cellular immunologic reactions in mice tolerant to the transplantation antigens after immunization with the cross-reacting microbial antigens]

In combined administration of cyclophosphamide and lymphocytes of mice (CC57BR XX C3H) F1 to mice CC57BR there was observed a tolerance to alloantigens of mice C3H. Immunization of the tolerant mice with the vaccines of streptococcus, group A, and Candida albicans, containing antigens similar to the transplantation ones, led, to the partial destruction of the tolerance. This was expressed in the reduction in the CC57BR mice of the survival of skin allotransplants of mice C3H and the appearance in the lymphoid organs of lymphocytes with the cytotoxic activity against the allogenic target cells. In case of the tolerance destruction the amount of the recipient's lymphocytes forming rosettes with the erythrocytes of mice C3H remained unchanged, but the stem cell count fell in the spleen and the lymph nodes. The total amount of the T- and B-lymphocytes in the lymphoid organs was unchanged in destruction of the tolerance.     

Redox processes during sensitization and allergic reaction to microbial antigens]

The effect of sensitization and delayed allergic response (DAR) to brucellosis antigen on the processes of glycolysis and dehydrogenase activity of Krebs' cycle was studied. The increasing sensitivity to Brucella was accompanied by inhibition of the dehydrogenase activity and increasing glycolysis. The changes were more pronounced in sensitization to living brucella. In DAR not only the dehydrogenase activity but also the processes of glycolysis were inhibited. Reduction of the aerobic fractions and excess of isoenzyme spectrum lactate dehydrogenase was observed both in sensitization and in DAR. Correction of biochemical shifts produced decreasing sensitization and inhibiting DAR symptoms.     

Immunochemical study of the specific antigens of human amniotic fluid]

Four specific antigens (trophoblastic beta 1-globulin, placental lactogen, alpha 1- and alpha 2-globulins of human placenta) were identified using antisera to the native amniotic fluid. Five antigens with the mobility of prealbumins, alpha 1-globulins, alpha 2-globulins and beta 2-globulins which bear no resemblance with the previously studied antigens were identified using antisera to the acid fraction of the amniotic fluid. Both the prealbumins and alpha 2-globulin were found in the blood serum of foetuses of different age and of newborn infants; these proteins were absent from the blood serum of pregnant women and donors. They received the names of embryonic prealbumine 1, embryonic prealbumine 2 and embryonic alpha 2-globulin. The protein with the mobility of alpha 1-globulins was found in the amniotic fluid of foetuses and in the blood serum of pregnant women only and received the name of amniotic alpha 1-globulin. The concentration of the antigens in question was studied in the developing foetuses and in the blood serum of pregnant women at different stages of pregnancy.     

Therapy of bronchopulmonary infection in smokers]

The efficacy and safety of Cifran OD, a new dosage form of ciprofloxacin with prolonged action were studied in the treatment of patients with bronchopulmonary infection (n=23). The drug was used orally in a dose of 1 g once a day. The patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 included patients with aggravation of chronic bronchitis and group 2 included patients with bacterial pneumonia. The recovery was stated in 77.7% of the patients in group 1, the other 26.3% of the patients showed clinical improvement. In the patients with pneumonia (group 2) the recovery was recorded in 100% of the cases. No significant side effects were observed.     

Neural apparatus of perirenal and parapancreatic tissues during human embryogenesis]

The neural apparatus of the perirenal and parapancreatic fat tissue has been studied in human embryos, fetuses and newborns. Neurohistological techniques of Bielshowsky--Gross, Bielschowsky--Boek, Rasskazova and Ranson have been used . During embryogenesis certain differences are being formed in the structure of neural elements. These differences are characteristic for mature specimens and are especially noticeable in the structure of receptor terminals and ganglia. The neural apparatus of the paranephric fat tissue is forming with greater speed. Neural elements in different parts of the perirenal and parapancreatic fat tissue are not evenly distributed. Their greatest concentration is noted behind the pancreatic head and tail and at the level of the renal inferior pole and hilus.     

Characteristics of the functional maturity of the insular apparatus of the human pancreas during intrauterine development]

The reactivity of human foetal pancreas was determined by the increase of insulin secretion in vitro in response to the effect of glucose, arginine, theophylline, cyclic AMP and somatotrophic hormone (STH). The results of the experiments have shown that the beta-cells of the islet system in the pancreas of 7-9 weeks old embryos are as yet not able to respond to the main physiological stimulus, glucose, but respond already to cAMP, STH, arginine with glucose. The glands of 10-14 weeks old foetuses are already able to react to glucose and respond to all other stimuli, except arginine. Taken for comparison, the glands of 19-22 weeks old foetuses respond to glucose by the increase of insulin secretion.     

Reversible endocytosis apparatus of the blood platelets]

The functioning of ganules of blood platelets participating in the reversible endocytosis reaction was investigated in rabbits. Eczocytosis was shown to be initiated by inducers of two types: proteolytic enzymes and compounds accumulated by the granules (biogenic amines, dyes, anesthetics and phenothiazines). Heparin inhibits thrombin-induced eczocytosis. During eczocytosis produced by accumulation of compounds by blood platelet granules, the cells lose their capacity for maintaining the aggregation state. The nature of blood platelet granules participating in the reversible endocytosis reaction is discussed.     

Ultrastructure and antigens in differentiation of thymus lymphocytes in human embryogenesis]

Thymus lymphocytes of 7--8-week human embryos have nuclei of irregular form with 1--3 distinct nucleoli characterized by absence of compact chromatin or heterchromatin. The electron-dense cytoplasm of these cells contains polysomes and an insignificant number of mitochondria. No receptors to sheep red blood cells and T antigen are revealed on their surface. In 11--12-week human embryos one can observe a decrease in the size of thymus lymphocytes, appearance of heterochromatin in their nuclei and receptors to sheep red blood cells (79%), and T antigen (60%) on the cell surface. Subsequently the quantity of compact chromatin in thymus lymphoid cells increases, and the cells acquire definitive properties and structure.     

Immunity to glycolipid antigens in microbial infections.

T cells recognize ligands of different chemical structures. Recently, it has become clear that also self glycosphingolipids and bacterial lipoglycans may act as T cell stimulatory ligands. This type of antigen recognition is restricted by the non-polymorphic CD1 molecules, which have a structure resembling that of classical MHC molecules. Glycolipids insert their hydrophobic lipid tails in two pockets below the antigen-binding groove and position their hydrophilic heads on the external part of CD1 molecules. TCR interacts with these carbohydrates and discriminates their structural variations. Glycolipid-specific T cells may provide protection during bacterial and parasite infection probably with different mechanisms: by secreting pro-inflammatory lymphokines, by the direct killing of infected target cells, and by helping specific B cells in Ig production. Lipoglycans represent excellent candidates for new anti-microbial vaccines due to their wide distribution in the microbial world and their structural composition which does not change and thus cannot give rise to escape mutants. Moreover, these vaccines might induce anti-microbial protective T cell responses in the whole population due to the non-polymorphic nature of CD1 presenting molecules.     

Morphology of the juxtaglomerular apparatus of allotransplanted human cadaver kidneys in the late periods following transplantation]

Histological structure of 13 allografted human cadaver kidneys was observed at late stages after transplantation (from 121 days to 3 years and 10 months). In the grafted kidneys with a well-preserved structure the microscopic picture of the juxtaglomerular apparatus (JGA) failed to differ significantly from the JGA in the control. This conclusion was confirmed by the karyometric data and by the results of the juxtaglomerular index calculation. In the allografted kidneys with severe destructive and dystrophic alterations there can occur a partial or complete JGA involution.     

The effect of long-term bed-rest head-down-tilt hypokinesia on the functional properties of the human neuromuscular apparatus]

An influence of 120-days antiorthostatic (-6 degrees) hypokinesia (ANOH) on the functional properties of human m. triceps surae (TS) was investigated. After ANOH the maximal force and the maximal voluntary contraction of TS decreased on the average by 45.5% and 33.7%, respectively, and the maximal twitch response force--by 36.7% (P < 0.05-0.01). The value of force deficit increased on the average by 60.2% (P < 0.001), while a relative increase of the TS force contraction decreased in response to pair irritation (P < 0.05-0.01) as well as the velocity properties of TS after ANOH (P < 0.05-0.001). The rate of absolute (c.u.) tension development fell significantly in response to electrical nerve irritation and during voluntary contraction, while the force-velocity muscle properties according to relative (%) parameters remained unchanged. The fatiguability index of TS constituted the average 0.61 +/- 0.02 after ANOH as against 0.80 +/- 0.03 prior to it (P < 0.05). It is postulated the alterations of contractile properties of TS are due both to atrophic processes, muscle length change, condition of sarcoplasmic reticulum and to changes in the state of the central nervous system.     

Advances in immunoproteomics for serological characterization of microbial antigens

We propose a multi-dimensional strategy, associating immunodetection to a protein fractionating two-dimensional liquid chromatography tool, for serological characterization of microbial antigens. The originality of such immunoproteomic approaches resides in their application in large-scale studies for rapid serotyping of micro-organisms, evaluation of immunomes and could be proposed in the development and monitoring of vaccines.