Vol 1, No 4 (2011)

Abstract. Identification and studying of numerous functions of all genes of the human beings is one of the main objects of modern biological science. Due to high level of homology between mouse and human genomes the important role to reach above mentioned goal belongs to the mouse model which using in the classical genetics increase in connection with appearance of different inbred mouse lines. For instance, the differences in immune response to infectious pathogens in various mouse lines were used many times to determine immunologically competent genes. That is why the contribution of mouse model in understanding of the mechanisms of immune response to infectious pathogens is difficult to overestimate. In the current review some of the most successful and well known examples of mouse using in studies of anti-infectious response are described.

Abstract. In the current review the results of HIV surveillance in 11 administrative territories of the North-western federal region of the Russian Federation (NWFR) in 2009 are summarized. The analysis of epidemic process is based on the data of HIV cases detected in the administrative territories of the NWFR by serological screening and registered in the state reporting forms.

Abstract. Results of monitoring of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) and tick borreliosis (TB) in the western enclave of Russia in Kaliningrad oblast in 1999-2008 are presented in the article. The number of basic vector of the agents of these infections — I. ricinus during the analyzing period in the territory of Kurshskaya spit increased. The number of tick attacked persons in the oblast also increased. Despite these events the TBE incidence rates remained not so high and have tendency to decrease. At the same time the TB morbidity has moderate trend to increase. The link between increase of average annual air temperature and incidence of "tick" infections was not proved for the studying period of time. The people of pre-pension and pension ages living in cities more often suffer from TBE and TB. The most part of patients are exposed to tick attack during visiting of rest places. It was determined that eastern districts of Kaliningrad oblast are more problematic on "tick" infections.

Abstract. The drug resistance, mutation spectrum caused resistance to rifampicin and isoniazid, viability, cytotoxicity were studied as well as 111 clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MBT) were genotyped. Spoligotyping revealed 28 spoligotypes; the greatest number of strains belonged to genetic families Beijing and LAM. The typing of 59 strains of spoligotype SIT1 (Beijing) allowed to differentiate 19 variants of IS6110-RFLP-profiles: 13 of them were individual and 6 were presented by clusters. The clusters А0 and В0 included the greatest number of M. tuberculosis strains — 21 (35,6%) and 17 (28,8%) accordingly. The high frequency of MLU and SLU of Beijing strains was associated with mutations rpoB Ser531→Leu and katG Ser315→Thr. The strains of M. tuberculosis belonged to another genetic families (T, H, Ural, U) have shown drug resistance more often. The level of resistance to isoniazid in vitro in MLU/SLU strains of MBT of different genotypes, especially, was high in case of mixed mutations such as katG Ser315→Thr и inhA_T15. The rates of viability and cytotoxicity of MBT strains of studied genotypes with different spectrum of mutations and phenotypic drug resistance were not substantially distinguished.

Abstract. Phosphorilated polyprenols (PP) isolated from different sources are known to exert immunomodulating and antiviral activities. In this paper possible anti-inflammatory action of PP were studied using sensitive models of 5-lypoxigenase and 15-lypoxigenase activity inhibition, as well as a model of the hypostasis induced by the complete Freundt’s adjuvant, or carraginan. Also in vitro model of bronchospasm was used to study prospective broncholytic activity of PP. The latter was found to exert dose-dependent inhibitory effect upon both 5-lypoxigenase and 15-lypoxigenase activity. In the suspension cell culture significant inhibitory effect of PP upon leukotriens production was found even at a concentration of 5 mcg/ml; at concentration of 100 mkg/ml activity of the enzyme was suppressed almost to zero. In neutrophil cells cultivated on a collagenic substrate the significant inhibitory effect was also found at the concentration of 5 mcg/ml; 20 mcg/ml of PP reduced 5-LOX activity approximately 20-fold. In another protocol PP significantly inhibited 15-LOX activity. Thus, PP may be regarded as active inhibitor of both lipoxygenases. The PP exerted anti-inflammatory activity at both models of hypostasis, though it was weaker compared with indomethacin. Also PP was found to possess broncholytic activity in vitro in the bronchospasm model. Taking into account early established findings proving that PP may function as a physiological counterregulator of MIF (macrophage inhibitory factor), a major pro-inflammatory cytokine, our data prove that PP possess anti-inflammatory and broncholytic activities, which might be used for development of novel drugs for preventive care and treatment of bronchial asthma, inflammatory diseases and other pathologies.

Abstract. Many parts of immune system are involved in interaction of M. tuberculosis and human organism. There are some publications concerning significance of interferon and other cytokines in lung tuberculosis. Our research group investigated condition of interferon and cytokines systems in patients with firstly detected infiltrative lung tuberculosis. The results of this study have shown direct links between clinical and immunological efficacy of the complex treatment of such patients. The active expression of IL-6 gene correlates with slow dynamics of lung infiltrate resolution and long saving of patient’s complaint for respiratory tract symptoms during the treatment. The expression of IL-12 gene linked to small volume of infiltrates in lung tissue before treatment whereas expression of IL-1β gene correlates with decrease of intoxication time and respiratory symptoms in patients during therapy. The knowledge about violation in cytokine regulation parts is absolutely necessary to determine dynamics of diseases development and treatment efficacy as well as to use immunotherapy.

Аналитический обзор XIV Всероссийского научного форума с международным участием имени академика В.И. Иоффе «Дни иммунологии в Санкт-Петербурге» (23–26 мая 2011 г.).