Study of peptide fractions from hemolymph of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Galleria mellonella</Emphasis>

Changes in the peptide composition of hemolymph of Galleria mellonella larvae induced by their immunization have been studied, and some new peptides have been found. The composition of fractions exhibiting antibacterial activity was investigated. Known antibacterial peptides have been found in the hemolymph of control larvae and those immunized with bacteria.     

Modulation of the Activity of Succinate Dehydrogenase by Acetylation with Chemicals,Drugs, and Microbial Metabolites

Biophysics - Abstract—The effects of acetylating and deacetylating compounds on the activity of succinate dehydrogenase, as well as on the membrane potential and calcium retention capacity of...     

Integrated Study of Microfossils in Stromatolites of the Vendian Chencha Formation,Central Siberia

Paleontological Journal - The study of stromatolites of the Vendian Chencha Formation (Ediacaran) of the Baikal-Patom Highland (Central Siberia) was carried out using an integrated approach:...     

The activation of specific immunity in male mice stimulates fertility of their breeding partners: the phenomenon of lot's daughters

In previous experimental studies on laboratory mice, it was shown that activation of specific immunity by injection with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) lessens males' sexual olfactory attractiveness for intact females. However, reduced attractiveness can decrease males' reproductive efficiency only under the conditions of free mating, which is not obligatory for natural populations. The goal of this work was to study the influence of immunoenhancement on sexual behavior and reproductive output of outbred ICR male mice. Males, either injected with saline (control group) or SRBC-treated, were kept with intact females during 5 days after injection. While the number of fertile copulations was practically equal in both groups, the potential (ovulated ova) and actual (number of embryos) fecundity was significantly higher in females having been paired off with SRBC-treated males. Main reproductive effects were registered at 3-5th day after injection, when specific antibody-forming process starts and males' scent becomes less attractive for females. On the base of previous and present data, the hypothesis is proposed that if the quality of a non-alternative mating partner is compromised by activation of specific immunity, a female tries to maximize its reproductive output (due to low chance of repeated copulation). This responsibility for the next generation is reminiscent of the Bible story about Lot and his daughters, and may help to sustain the species existence under conditions of parasitic press.     

Successful immunotherapy with matrix metalloproteinase-derived peptides in adjuvant arthritis depends on the timing of peptide administration

We have recently found that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are targets for T-cell and B-cell reactivity in experimental arthritis. In the present article, we investigate whether modulation of MMP-specific T-cell responses could influence the course of adjuvant arthritis (AA). Lewis rats were treated nasally with MMP peptides prior to or after AA induction. Administration of the MMP-10 or the MMP-16 peptide prior to AA induction reduced the arthritic symptoms. In contrast, administration of the MMP-10 peptide after AA induction aggravated the arthritic symptoms. The present study shows the possible usefulness of MMP peptides for immunotherapy. However, a clear understanding of proper timing of peptide administration is crucial for the development of such therapies.     

The influence of immunoregulatory cytokines IL-2, IL-7, and IL-15 upon activation, proliferation, and apoptosis of immune memory T-cells in vitro

The influence of immunoregulatory cytokines IL-2, IL-7, and IL-15 on the activation, proliferation, and apoptosis of different subpopulations of an immune memory T-cell (CD45RO+) in healthy donors were investigated. It was demonstrated that rIL-2 equally affected both the activation and proliferation of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ subpopulations of memory T-cells in vitro. High concentrations of rIL-2 increased the number of CD8⁺ memory cells expressing apoptotic marker CD95. Effect of rIL-7 and rIL-15 on the activation and proliferation of cytotoxic CD8⁺ memory cells in vitro was different. CD4⁺ memory lymphocytes exhibited relative resistance to activation and proliferation by rIL-7 and rIL-15 compared to rIL-2. This can provide them with relative resistance to apoptosis, as well as create the necessary conditions for accelerated implementation of their functional capacity in the development of a secondary immune response.     

The Role of Mitochondrial DNA Individuality in the Pathogenesis of Parkinson’s Disease

Russian Journal of Genetics - The present article reviews the rapidly growing body of research on the role of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in the realization of individual risk of Parkinson’s...     

The biphasic selective effect of an antiserum to beta-endorphin on pain sensitivity in rats

In rats beta-endorphin antiserum systemic injection decreased during 1-2 days the threshold of tail-shock and latency of tail-flick tests, and during subsequent 85 days increased the threshold of tail shock, but not changed the latency of tail-flick tests. Naloxone injection blocked the increasing of thresholds, but not changed the latency of tail tests. It is suggested that antiserum evokes the first inhibition and the second selective activation of endogenous antinociceptive opioid system with affinity to electric nociception.     

Cell-IQ visualization of motility,cell mass,and osteogenic differentiation of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells cultured with relief calcium phosphate coating

The Cell-IQ continuous surveillance system allowed us to establish the following changes in a 14- day culture in vitro: a twofold suppression of the directional migration of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells of human adipose tissue (MMSC-AT) towards the samples with a microarc calcium phosphate (CP) coating from synthetic hydroxyapatite; a tenfold decrease in the cell mass on the interphase with the samples, which was accompanied by a slight reduction in the expression of membrane determinants of stromal stem cells; and an enhancement of their osteogenic differentiation (osteocalcin secretion and mineralized matrix formation) on the 21st day of the study. Calcium phosphate particles, but not the calcium and phosphorus ions, may trigger the phenotypic transformation of the MMSC-AT behavior in vitro.