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.     

Experience with the international standardization of the biological activity of the 3d Standard for streptomycin

The activity of the third International Standard of streptomycin was determined to be equal to 755 IU/mg with the use of accurately weighed amounts of streptomycin and 78037 IU with the use of streptomycin ampoules. The Standardization Center of the WHO decided to use the whole content of the ampoule of the Third International Standard of streptomycin, the activity of which is determined to be equal to 78500 IU per an ampoule.     

Fleas (Siphonaptera) of Rodents in the Eastern Caucasian Highland Natural Plague Focus

Entomological Review - The Eastern Caucasian highland natural plague focus is located on the northern slope of the Main Caucasian Range. This peculiar region has a rich fauna of rodent fleas...     

Protective activity of adsorbed D(a)PT vaccine with the acellular pertussis component and polyoxydonium

The introduction of the immunomodulator polyoxidonium in an amount of 0.5 Mg/ml into adsorbed D(a)PT vaccine with the acellular pertussis component leads to the preservation of the protective activity of the pertusis component, diphtheria and tetanus toxoids, as well to the 4-time decrease of the content of adsorbent (aluminium hydroxide) from 2 to 0.5 mg/ml.     

Lymphatic bed of the heart in the post-resuscitation period

In the experiment performed on 96 rabbits, by means of silver nitrate impregnation and Gerota mass injection methods, changes in the epicardial lymphatic bed have been investigated after 5-minutes' clinical death caused by hemorrhage. During first hours after resuscitation certain signs of the lymphatic drenage activation are revealed. In most of the animals the specific density of the lymphatic bed increases, capillaries and postcapillaries dilate, hyperargirophilia of cytoplasm and nuclei of endotheliocytes appears. In the animals sacrificed against the background of a severe state (with certain, signs of a pronounced hypoxia), there are dystrophically and degeneratively altered endotheliocytes. This is accompanied with hyper- hypoargyrophilia of endothelium, fragmentation of its cell borders, with deterioration of injection ability of the lymph outflow pathways. In the rabbits survived, by the 7th-14th days a gradual normalization of the parameters studied takes place.     

Transglycosylation activity of cellobiohydrolase I from Trichoderma longibrachiatum on synthetic and natural substrates

Using 4-methylumbelliferyl (MUF) beta-D-cellobioside as a substrate, the ability of cellobiohydrolase I from Trichoderma longibrachiatum to catalyze transglycosylation has been demonstrated. At substrate concentrations greater than 2 mM, the formation of MUF-tetrasaccharide was detected using HPLC. In the course of enzymatic reaction, a concentration of the transglycosylation product passed through a maximum, since at later stages of the reaction the product was further hydrolyzed. At MUF-beta-D-cellobioside concentrations of 2-10 mM, the maximum weight content of MUF-tetrasaccharide amounted to 1-4% of the total content of saccharides. In the reaction system, containing 2.5 mM MUF-beta-D-cellobioside and 10 mM MUF-beta-D-glucoside, MUF-trisaccharide was formed as the main transglycosylation product. In hydrolysis of natural substrates (cellulose and cellotriose) in the presence of MUF-beta-D-glucoside a formation of MUF-trisaccharide was also observed.