Morphological analysis of the thymus of albino rats with tumors for experimental chemotherapy alone and in combination with activator influences of an alternating magnetic field

A study of the histological structure and cell composition of the thymus in rats with ascitic ovarian tumors for chemotherapy alone and in combination with an alternating magnetic field, which induces an antistressor adaptive response in the organism, showed that an alternative magnetic field potentiates the antitumor effect of thioTEPA and protects the thymus from toxic damage caused by high doses of chemotherapy. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 118, N ^o 11, pp. 535–539, November, 1994 Presented by N. V. Vasil'ev, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Opioid peptides improve human fetal nervous tissue survival after cryopreservation in culture

The study was carried out on the 18–20-week human fetal brain by culturing organotypic and dissociated cells of the cerebral cortex and the corpora quadrigemina area. Tissue viability was assessed from the formation of growth cones and neuroglial bundles, as well as of glial cell formation. The study showed that after tissue freezing in organotypic cultures, viable cells were detected in not more than 10% of grafts. The addition of opioid peptides noticeably (by 1.3–2 times) increased the number of surviving cells. This regularity was not observed in dissociated cultures. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 117, N ^o 4, pp. 408–411, April, 1994     

Immunocytochemical study of the localization of scavenger receptor in human aortic smooth-muscle cells

Scavenger receptor was soughtin situ in human aortic smooth-muscle cells and in a primary culture of intact human aortic intima using antibodies to scavenger receptor. For identification of smooth-muscle cells, double staining making use of antibodies to murine α-actin was used. The presence of scavenger receptor in smooth-muscle cells of the intima and media of human aorta was demonstrated on aortic slices. In cultured smooth-muscle cells from normal human aortic intima scavenger receptor was distributed over the entire surface of the cell membrane, forming clusters in some places. These results suggest that human aortic smooth-muscle cells express scavenger receptor. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 120, N ^o 8, pp. 195–198, August, 1995 Presented by V. N. Smirnov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Identification of specific binding sites for nerve growth factor on human blood platelets and membranes from bovine brain

The presence of specific binding sites for nerve growth factor on membranes from bovine brain and human blood platelets is shown. The association and dissociation kinetics and the dissociation constants of receptor binding of nerve growth factor are analyzed. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 121, N ^o 3, pp. 295–297, March, 1996 Presented by N. P. Bochkov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Role of fibroblasts as the principal factor in differentiation of the epidermis

The role of fibroblasts in the differentiation of the epidermis and its relationships with other somatic cells, specifically, keratinocytes, are studied using a skin equivalent formed from various types of fibroblasts separated from thoracic skin of a healthy donor, apparently healthy skin sites and plaques from a patient with psoriasis, keloids and upper eyelid skin of a normal subject, and keratinocytes separated from the umbilical skin of a newborn. Fibroblasts are shown to be active participants in the differentiation and formation of epidermis specificity. Various types of fibroblasts form a histologically different skin equivalent possessing the specific properties of the epidermis of the skin sites from which they were isolated. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 121, N ^o 1, pp. 80–84, January, 1996 Presented by R. V. Petrov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Involvement of fibronectin and interacting serum components in the regulation of activity of human natural killer cells

The cytotoxic activity of natural killer cells and the intensity of conjugate formation are studiedin vitro in the natural cytotoxicity reaction against³H-uridine-labeled human erythromyeloleukotic cells K-562 in the presence of fibronectin, γ-globulin, and fibronectin/γ-globulin combination. It is demonstrated that fibronectin does not change natural cytotoxicity, γ-globulin increases the activity of human natural killer cells, and the fibronectin — γ-globulin combination increases both the intensity of conjugate formation and the cytotoxic activity of natural killer cells. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 118, N ^o 7, pp. 54–59, July, 1994     

Bivalphor: a myelopeptide possessing antitumor activity

It is shown that the bone marrow-derived hexapeptide bivalphor restores the functions of human T lymphocytes inhibited by products of HL-60 leukemia cells. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 119, N ^o 5, pp. 530–532, May, 1995     

Stimulation of proliferative activity of human natural killers (CD16+CD56+ cells) by recombinant interleukin-3in vitro

The proliferative activity of human natural killers (CD16⁺CD56⁺ cells) in the presence of 100 and 1000 IU/ml human recombinant interleukin-3 is investigatedin vitro. It is shown that recombinant interleukin-3 reliably enhances natural killer proliferation, causing a 9–15.2-fold increase of³H-thymidine uptake by CD16⁺CD56⁺ cells both in complete culture medium and in conditioned medium. The effect of the factor is 3.9–6.4 and 3.6–8.9-fold more potent than that of recombinant interleukin-2 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, respectively, in the same doses. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 119, N ^o 4, pp. 409–412, April, 1995 Presented by S. V. Prozorovskii, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Fibronectin as a compensating factor in the natural cytotoxicity system in interferon-dependent immunodeficiency

The cytotoxicity of natural killer cells (NK) against³H-uridine-labeled target cells (TC, human erythromyeloleukosis cells K-562) and the intensity of conjugate formation in the NK:TC system in the presence of γ-interferon, C-reactive protein, and human fibronectin are studiedin vitro in 14 patients with multiple sclerosis. It is shown that γ-interferon and C-reactive protein decrease the cytotoxic activity of NK with a simultaneous stimulation of conjugate formation in the NK:TC system. The correlation between the studied parameters becomes weaker. Human fibronectin induces collateral changes in the activity of NK and in the number of effector:target conjugates formed in the natural cytotoxicity reaction. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 118, N ^o 7, pp. 67–70, July, 1994     

Antitumor activity of normal bone marrow cells

After separation of normal murine bone marrow cells in a Percoll density gradient cellular fractions with densities of 1.076 and 1.060 g/ml are capable of suppressing thein vitro growth of leukemia cells. The cytostatic activity of these fractions, however, does not surpass the level of antitumor antiproliferative activity intrinsic to intact bone marrow cells. These cells were found to be capable of joining the splenocytes, thymocytes, and lymph node cells in effector cytostatic cooperation and thus enhance the final antitumor effect. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 120, N ^o 8, pp. 181–183, August, 1995     

Dissemination of human solid tumor cells in the bloodstream of immunodeficient mice

Seven human solid tumor cell lines transplanted into hereditarily immunodeficient mice (nude and beige/nude) were typed for tumor-associated surface antigens and glycoconjugates using fluorescent conjugates of 7 monoclonal antibodies, 5 lectins, and 2 ligands. With this set of 14 selected tumor markers, peripheral blood samples from mice bearing the respective tumors were examined by flow cytofluorimetry for the presence of tumor cells disseminated in their circulation. Tumor cells were detected in the blood of mice carrying a uterine tumor, indicating that the metastatic process can be followed intravitally in immunodeficient animals bearing human solid tumors. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 120, N ^o 12, pp. 615–618, December, 1995     

Expression of the human α-1-antitrypsin gene in heterologous mammalian cells

A genetic-engineering construction is developed containing the full-size cDNA of human α-1-antitrypsin, controlled by the promotor and enhancer elements from cytomegalovirus. It is shown that, after transfection with this recombinant DNA, it is properly expressed in heterologous animal cells. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, vol. 117, N ^o 2, pp. 166–167, Feburary, 1993 Presented by A. N. Klimov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Metastasizing of human melanoma on immunodeficient mice. Tumor cells in the circulation

The subline Bro of human melanoma xenograft with a high metastasizing activity is studied. The data obtained by flow fluorometry after staining with tumor-specific monoclonal antibodies indicate that free melanoma cells are present in the peripheral blood of animals; the largest number of these cells is found in mice with combined immunodeficiencies (beige/nude). Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 118, N ^o 8, pp. 188–189, August, 1994 Presented by Yu. A. Romanov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Localization and fate of thymic epitheliocytes of endodermal origin synthesizing cytokeratin 18

A reaction in the cytoplasm and processes of some cells of the epithelial reticulum is revealed by indirect immunofluorescence with monoclonal antibodies to cytokeratin 18 in the cortical zone of human thymus. In the medullary zone the reaction is observed in spherical elements similar in shape and size to intestinal goblet cells. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Medsitsiny, Vol. 117, N ^o 2, pp. 188–190, February, 1994 Presented by V. I. Shumakov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

An enzyme immunoassay system for neonatal screening for predisposition to allergy

A test system has been developed for rapid, simple, and reliable measurement of immunoglobulin E in umbilical blood in the range from 0 to 10 IU/ml with a sensitivity of 0.1 IU/ml. The system may be used for the detection of a predisposition to allergy at a very early age, allowing for timely measures to prevent allergic diseases. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 120, N ^o 10, pp. 418–421, October, 1995 Presented by A. D. Ado, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Effect of hemodilution and hemoconcentration on postischemic alterations of microvessels in rabbit paired auricles

Morphometric parameters of microvessels in paired rabbit ears and blood sampled from the internal vein were studied after ischemia reproduced under conditions of prior hemodilution and hemoconcentration. In hemodilution the postischemic alterations were found to be more pronounced in microvessels of the left ear, while for the right the same was true for rheological characteristics of the outflowing blood. Under conditions of hemoconcentration after ischemia the changes in rheological indexes were more marked on the left and in vasomotor indexes on the right. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 121, N ^o 3, pp. 352–354, March, 1996 Presented by V. V. Kupriyanov, 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     

Metastasizing of human melanoma on immunodeficient mice. Comparison of cell lines with different metastasizing activity

Two human melanoma cell variats-with low and high metastasizing activity-are obtained by successive passaging on mice with combined immunodeficiency. After the development of a subcutaneous tumor, tumor cells are detected only in the bloodstream of animals with a highly metastasizing tumor, in mice with combined immunodeficiency the number of these cells being much greater than that in nude mice. These results indicate a preeminent influence of the nature of tumor cells on the dissemination of metastasizing cells. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 119, N ^o 2, pp. 206–208, February, 1995 Presented by Yu. N. Solov'ev. Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences.     

Activity of nerve growth factor in rat regenerating liver

Two bioassays of specific activity in the presence and absence of specific antiserum, incubation with pheochromocytoma PC-12 cells, proteolytic digestion, and ultrafiltration demonstrate that nerve growth factor isolated from the liver exhibits the basic characteristics of classic mouse nerve growth factor. High activity of this factor is observed in the operated lobe during the first day (3–20 hours) and on days 3–10 of regeneration, i.e., before and after the phase of hepatocyte proliferation. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 121, N ^o 3, pp. 345–347, March, 1996 Presented by I. B. Zbarskii, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Blast transformation of lymphocytes and the activity of natural killer cells in the presence of γ-globulinin vitro

The cytotoxic activity of natural killer cells against³H-uridine-labeled target cells (human erythromyeloleukosis cells K-562) and the intensity of spontaneous blast transformation are studiedin vitro in the presence of human serum γ-globulin. It is shown that spontaneous blast transformation is 49–51% due to the presence of aggregated γ-globulin, while the aggregate-free γ-globulin fraction does not induce this reaction. The cytotoxic activity of natural killer cellsin vitro declines in the presence of native γ-globulin, which is related to the influence of aggregated γ-globulin, the intensity of whose formation may increase upon a manyfold decrease in the γ-globulin content of the preparation. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 118, N ^o 12, pp. 625–630, December, 1994