Effect of a bone marrow stimulator of antibody producers on virus-specific antibody formation in animals infected with flaviviruses

The injection of the marrow stimulator of antibody-producing cells (SAPC) into animals infected with Japanese encephalitis and tick-borne encephalitis viruses stimulated the formation of virus-specific antibodies in the infected animals, increasing antibody production 8- to 16-fold. Such SAPC-induced stimulation of the formation of virus-specific antibodies is observed in cases of both acute and chronic virus infection. The prospects of using the preparation of SAPC are discussed.     

Effect of immunodepression on virus multiplication and interferon and antibody formation in animals]

Administration of high doses of imuran had no significant effect on the multiplication of influenza A/PR8 and Coxsackie A6 viruses. However, the serum levels of interferon and antibody were completely suppressed. Peripheral leukocytes of mice given imuran produced no interferon in vitro. These data suggest that the impairment of formation of the antiviral immunity factors resulting from the administration of high doses of immunosuppressants, such as used during the graft rejection crises, could serve as one of the main causes facilitating viral infections in the course of the transplantation therapy. The results could be of practical importance for the development of the optimal immunosuppression schedules during the organ transplantation.     

The effect of lead on DNA repair in thymocytes of gamma-irradiated mice

The effects of Pb on the repair of DNA have been studied in the thymocytes of gamma-irradiated mice exposed to diacetate lead in the drinking water (up to 20 mg/l) for 14-50 days. It is found that lead causes no DNA degradation by itself and renders its genotoxic action indirectly, via inhibiting the repair of single-strand DNA breaks induced by acute gamma-irradiation of mice. Genotoxic effect of lead is reversible that becomes evident when exposed animals are maintained on Pb-free drinking water for 1-2 weeks.