Effects of fibroblast-keratinocyte interactions on the secretion of interleukin-8

Using two models for preparing skin equivalent, the effects of interactions between various types of fibroblasts and keratinocytes on their secretory activity in the production of interleukin-8 are studied. The secretion of an antiinflammatory cytokine is found to depend on the type and function of fibroblasts, the level of their proliferative activity, and the extent of formation of the dermal layer. Keratinocytes are capable of recognizing fibroblast function and stimulate or inhibit the secretion of interleukin-8 depending on the functional status. A new concept of hyperkeratosis and parakeratosis in psoriasis is proposed, which is based on a defect in the autoregulation of mediators, specifically, interleukin-8. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 121, N ^o 2, pp. 181–184, February, 1996 Presented by D. S. Sarkisov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Use of cultured fibroblasts to restore skin in patients with severe burns

A novel and unique method for treating skin burns by grafting cultured cells to the wound surface is described. The major graft elements are allogeneic human fibroblasts rather than keratinocytes. Experience with its use in 222 severely burned patients, including those after early surgical necrectomy, showed this method to be an effective means of treating “borderline” third-degree burns. Epitheliazation times were shortened from 31±2 days to 8.4±0.9 days. When the method was combined with dermatoautoplasty using a 1:6 perforated netted skin flap, the epithelialization period decreased from 20±2.3 to 12±1.3 days. The method proved to be highly effective in the treatment of slowly healing wounds in donor areas. It is concluded that the advantages of the proposed method — high efficacy, the much lower costs (in comparison with other methods) because no expensive nutrient media or growth biostimulators have to be used, and the very short time required to obtain a graft from allogeneic fibroblasts-argue for its wide use in clinical practice. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 119, N ^o 6, pp. 566–570, June, 1995     

Possible pathways of circulation of human endogenous retrovirus similar to mouse mammary tumor virus

It is shown that polypeptides which are immunologically related to gp52 mammary tumor virus are found in T and B peripheral blood lymphocytes in all breast cancer patients, in children with B-cell lymphosarcomas, and in B lymphocytes of some healthy donors. These proteins are not found in patients with tumors of other sites. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 120, N ^o 11, pp.554–556, November, 1995 Presented by Yu. N. Solov'ev, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

The role of the composition and gas-transporting function of the blood in the fluctuations of the electrical properties of the epidermis and subepidermal tissues

Changes in the composition and gas-transporting function of the blood contribute to the formation of the total electrical impedance of the epidermis, subepidermal connective tissue, and muscles. It is concluded that time fluctuations of the impedance result from the summated influence of the factors characterizing the modulations of the tissue oxygen consumption. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 121, N ^o 1, pp. 100–102, January, 1996 Presented by V. P. Kaznacheev, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Glucocorticoid-dependent regulation of the expression of high-density lipoprotein binding sites in rat hepatocytes

It is shown that dexamethasone increases the number of HDL binding sites in cultured hepatocytes bothin vivo andin vitro. The glucocorticoid acts in a dose-dependent and reversible manner within a wide range of concentrations, including physiological and subphysiological doses. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 117, N ^o 1, pp. 47–50, January, 1994     

Salivary level of volatile fatty acids as an index of the status of the human oropharynx-normal microflora system

Gas-liquid chromatographic determination of the levels and profiles of volatile fatty acids (acetic, propionic, and butyric acids) in saliva samples from healthy volunteers and patients with acute or chronic tonsillitis revealed lowered concentrations of these acids in the saliva of patients and the presence of disease-specific fatty acid profiles. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 119, N ^o 5 pp. 494–496, May, 1995 Presented by I. V. Domaradskii, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Cytological profile of the thymus of mice with increased resistance to P3-X63-Ag8.653-MOPC plasmocytoma after stress

Pronounced stimulation of antigen-independent differentiation of T lymphocytes is found. Physical loads and immobilization stress are shown to considerably augment both the immigration of T lymphocyte precursors to the thymus and the emigration of differentiated lymphocytes, as well as to affect the rate of cell differentiation. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 117, N ^o 5, pp. 454–456, May, 1994 Presented by N. K. Permyakov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Participation of methylcobalamin inin vitro DNA methylation

Two DNA-methylases from nuclei of rat liver are compared for their ability to methylate thymic DNA in the presence of methyl group donors, radiolabeled³H-S-adenosyl-L-methionine and methylcobalamin. DNA-methylase with an isoelectric point of 5.2 is found, which uses both donors of methyl groups although its activity is more expressed with³H-S-adenosyl-L-methionine.³H-S-adenosyl-L-methionine and methylcobalamin presumably interact with different sites of the enzyme. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 119, N ^o 6, pp. 616–618, June, 1995 Presented by T. T. Berezov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Treatment of deep burns with human fetal tissues

Treatment of third (AB) degree burns by applying a suspension prepared from human placenta and fetal skin proves as effective as plastic surgery. This approach is particularly helpful when supplies of donor skin are limited, in the therapy of patients with polyvalent allergy, elderly and senile patients with a severe somatic pathology hampering autodermaplasty, in the therapy of children, and in cases of untreatable infected burns. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 117, N ^o 4, pp. 405–407, April, 1994     

Comparison of the efficacies of cutaneous and subcutaneous administration of tactivin for correction of secondary immunodeficiency in infants and young children

A method for noninvasive administration of immunomodulators, specifically, of tactivin, has been developed. The dosage form for cutaneous applications represents a special film containing the immunocorrector tactivin. Before application the film and underlying skin site are moistened with normal saline, after which the film is held with a plaster on the skin of the forearm flexor surface for 10–12 h. The optimal dose of tactivin for applications is 100μg. Comparative analysis showed that the efficacies of cutaneous and subcutaneous administration of tactivin to infants and young children are comparable according to immunological criteria and clinical results. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimentalnoi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 118, N ^o 11, pp. 496–498, November, 1994 Presented by V. K. Lepakhin, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

The conserved fraction of repetitive sequences in the human and mammalian genome in health,in pathology,and for long-term mutagenic exposure

The percentage and the size distribution of weakly divergent sites of repetitive sequences of human chromosomal DNA were determined in health and in hereditary genome diseases which are characterized by chromosome instability and predisposition to malignant tumor. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 117, N ^o 1, pp. 85–88, January, 1994 Presented by A. I. Archakov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Circulating serum interferon andits effect on the activity of human natural killer cells

The interferon content in the plasma of 6 healthy donors and 10 patients with multiple sclerosis and the effect of an 1-h treatment of mononuclear cells with autologous plasma on their natural killer activity are studiedin vitro using³H-uridine-labeled (3 μCi/ml) human erythromyeloleukosis cells K-562. The serum interferon content in healthy donors is 2.3±0.82 IU/ml, whereas that in patients is higher: 5.2±0.8 IU/ml. Autologous plasma does not affect the activity of natural killer cellsin vitro, whereas it increases the cytotoxicity of mononuclear cells obtained from patients with multiple sclerosis by 35–64%. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 118, N ^o 12, pp. 619–622, December, 1994 Presented by S. V. Prozorovskii, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Morphological characteristics of lymphocyte-hepatocyte contacts in various periods of liver regeneration in mice

The histo-and ultrastructure of regenerating murine liver is studied after excision of 2/3 of its tissue. Counts of leukocytes and lymphocytes are found to be increased in the intertrabecular spaces after the operation. Lymphocytes come in close contact with hepatocytes and reticuloendotheliocytes forming microtunnels at the sites of contact. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 117, N ^o 2, pp. 176–179, February, 1994     

The “familial” factor and the microbiocenosis of the normal human intestine

Population genetics methods are used to study the relationship between living in the same environment and the formation of the large-intestine microflora in healthy persons. The variability of a microbiological phenotype is found to depend mainly on random factors and is virtually unrelated to the “familial” constituent. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 117, N ^o 1, pp. 62–65, January, 1994.     

Impulse activity of neurons of the sensorimotor cortex of rabbits with experimental diabetes mellitus

At least three types of spontaneous impulse activity of neurons are identified: single spikes, short bursts of impulses, and alternating periods of single impulses and bursts. In rabbits with experimental diabetes mellitus a marked shift of the middle-frequency distribution of spontaneously-active neurons to higher frequencies is observed. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 117, N ^o 5, pp. 465–467, May, 1994 Presented by K. V. Sudakov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Effect of a static magnetic field on the growth rate andin vitro angiogenesis of endothelial cells

It is shown that a static magnetic field accelerates the growth rate of endothelial cells from the bovine pulmonary artery, but has no effect on the attachment and growth of cells from the human umbilical vein. A static magnetic field markedly stimulates the differentiation of endotheliocytes from the human umbilical vein to capillary-like structures. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 117, N ^o 1, pp. 106–108, January, 1994 Presented by V. N. Smirnov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Ischemic shifts on the electrocardiogram and their correction in a chronic model of angina pectoris

Three types of ischemic shifts are present on the ECG recorded from conscious dogs in a chronic model of angina pectoris. It is suggested that these shifts are caused, along with the ischemic factor, by excessive sustained coronary dilatation in the ischemic focus. Elimination of this focus with pituitrin may open up new prospects in the control of ischemic damage to the myocardium. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 117, N ^o 4, pp. 435–438, April, 1994 Presented by B. T. Velichkovskii, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Interaction between multiply modified (desialylated) low-density lipoproteins isolated from blood of atherosclerotic patients and cell receptors

It is shown that binding of native LDL to fibroblasts expressing the B,E-receptors is twice as high as that of desialylated LDL. An excess of acetylated LDL inhibits binding, uptake, and degradation of¹²⁵I-desialylated LDL by macrophages, while an excess of desialylated LDL inhibits binding, uptake, and degradation of acetylated LDL. Desialylated LDL may interact with both B,E and scavenger receptors. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 117, N ^o 1, pp. 53–55, January, 1994     

Effect of the synthetic regulatory peptide thymohexin on the production of various classes of immunoglobulins

Some mechanisms of the immunoregulatory effect produced by the new drug thymohexin (immunophan), which contains synthetic hexapeptide as a pharmacological agent, are studied. Administration of the drug in a culture of polyclonally activated mononuclear cells from healthy donors intensifies IgM, IgG, and IgA production and inhibits IgE synthesis. Treating intact mononuclear cells with thymohexin does not significantly affect the production of immunoglobulins. The drug is found to intensify IgA synthesis in cases of genetically determined insufficiency and to suppress the production of IgE by lymphocytes in patients with atopic dermatitis. The immunoregulatory effect of the drug is shown to be mediated via cell-cell interaction in the system of transfer of thymohexin-activated mononuclears. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 118, N ^o 10, pp. 417–420, October, 1994