Search

Background: The problem of identifying vaccine-specific T-cell responses is still a matter of debate. Currently, there are no universal, clearly defined, agreed upon criteria for assessing the effectiveness of vaccinations and their immunogenicity for the cellular component of immunity, even for healthy people. But for patients with inborn errors of immunity (IEI), especially those with antibody deficiencies, evaluating cellular immunity holds significant importance., Aim: To examine the effect of one and two doses of inactivated adjuvanted subunit influenza vaccines on the expression of endosomal Toll-like receptors (TLRs) on the immune cells and the primary lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID)., Materials and Methods: During 2018-2019, six CVID patients received one dose of a quadrivalent adjuvanted influenza vaccine; in 2019-2020, nine patients were vaccinated with two doses of a trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine. The proportion of key lymphocyte subpopulations and expression levels of TLRs were analyzed using flow cytometry with monoclonal antibodies., Results: No statistically significant alterations in the absolute values of the main lymphocyte subpopulations were observed in CVID patients before or after vaccination with the different immunization protocols. However, after vaccination, a higher expression of TLR3 and TLR9 in granulocytes, monocytes, and lymphocytes was found in those patients who received two vaccine doses rather than one single dose., Conclusion: This study marks the first instance of using a simultaneous two-dose vaccination, which is associated with an elevated level of TLR expression in the immune cells. Administration of the adjuvanted vaccines in CVID patients appears promising. Further research into their impact on innate immunity and the development of more effective vaccination regimens is warranted.

The disaccharide (β-D-glucopyranosyluronic acid)-(1→4)-β-D-glucopyranoside represents a repeating unit of the capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 3. A conjugate of the disaccharide with BSA (di-BSA conjugate) adjuvanted with aluminum hydroxide induced - in contrast to the non-adjuvanted conjugate - IgG1 antibody production and protected mice against S. pneumoniae serotype 3 infection after intraperitoneal prime-boost immunization. Adjuvanted and non-adjuvanted conjugates induced production of Th1 (IFNγ, TNFα); Th2 (IL-5, IL-13); Th17 (IL-17A), Th1/Th17 (IL-22), and Th2/Th17 cytokines (IL-21) after immunization. The concentration of cytokines in mice sera was higher in response to the adjuvanted conjugate, with the highest level of IL-17A production after the prime and boost immunizations. In contrast, the non-adjuvanted conjugate elicited only weak production of IL-17A, which gradually decreased after the second immunization. After boost immunization of mice with the adjuvanted di-BSA conjugate, there was a significant increase in the number of CD45+/CD19+ B cells, TCR+ γδ T cell, CD5+ В1 cells, and activated cells with MHC II+ expression in the spleens of the mice. IL-17A, TCR+ γδ T cells, and CD5+ В1 cells play a crucial role in preventing pneumococcal infection, but can also contribute to autoimmune diseases. Immunization with the adjuvanted and non-adjuvanted di-BSA conjugate did not elicit autoantibodies against double-stranded DNA targeting cell nuclei in mice. Thus, the molecular and cellular markers associated with antibody production and protective activity in response to immunization with the di-BSA conjugate adjuvanted with aluminum hydroxide are IL-17A, TCR+ γδ T cells, and CD5+ В1 cells against the background of increasing MHC II+ expression., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Akhmatova, Kurbatova, Zaytsev, Akhmatova, Yastrebova, Sukhova, Yashunsky, Tsvetkov and Nifantiev.)

Pneumolysin (Ply) is a target for the development of serotype-independent pneumococcal vaccines, an important condition for the efficacy of which is their ability to activate innate immunity with the subsequent formation of adaptive immunity. In this study, the ability of recombinant full-length Ply (rPly) of pneumococci to induce TLR expression and maturation of dendritic cells generated from mouse bone marrow was evaluated. It was shown that rPly in vitro increased the number of dendritic cells expressing Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) on the membrane. rPly caused maturation of dendritic cells generated from mouse bone marrow, which manifested in a decrease in the number of progenitor cells (CD34), an increase in the number of cells expressing the adhesion molecule CD38, costimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86, molecules of terminal differentiation of dendritic cells CD83, as well as molecules of antigenic presentation of the major histocompatibility complex class II., (© 2024. Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: for the first time, the effect of one and two doses of adjuvanted influenza vaccines on toll-like receptors (TLRs) in patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) was studied and compared (primary vaccination with one vs. two doses, primary vs. repeated vaccination)., Materials and Methods: Six patients received one dose of quadrivalent adjuvanted influenza vaccine during the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 influenza seasons, and nine patients with CVID received two doses of trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine during 2019-2020. Expression of TLRs was measured by flow cytometry., Results: The expression of toll-like receptors in patients with CVID was noted both with repeated (annual) administration of the influenza vaccine and in most cases was accompanied by an increase in the proportion of granulocytes (TLR3 and TLR9), lymphocytes (TLR3 and TLR8), and monocytes (TLR3 and TLR9). When carried out for the first time as a simultaneous vaccination with two doses it was accompanied by an increase in the proportion of granulocytes, lymphocytes expressing TLR9, and on monocytes-TLR3 and TLR9., Conclusion: in CVID patients, the use of adjuvanted vaccines is promising, and research on the influence of the innate immunity and more effective regimens should be continued.

The transcription factor NF-κB is a key factor in the activation of immune responses; it is in turn activated by pattern recognition receptors, such as TLR and NLR receptors. The search for ligands activating innate immunity receptors is an important scientific problem due to the possibility of their use as adjuvants and immunomodulators. In this study the effect of recombinant Pseudomonas aeruginosa OprF proteins and a toxoid (a deletion atoxic form of exotoxin A) on the activation of TLR4, TLR9, NOD1, and NOD2 receptors has been investigated. The study was carried out using free and co-adsorbed on Al(OH)₃ P. aeruginosa proteins and eukaryotic cells encoding these receptors and having NF-κB-dependent reporter genes. The enzymes encoded by the reported genes are able to cleave the substrate with the formation of a colored product, the concentration of which indicates the degree of receptor activation. It was found that free and adsorbed forms of the toxoid were able to activate the TLR4 surface receptor for lipopolysaccharide. OprF and the toxoid activated the intracellular NOD1 receptor, but only in the free form. This may be due to the fact that the cell lines used were not able to phagocytize aluminum hydroxide particles with protein adsorbed on them.

Background: Studies aimed at identifying the mechanisms of the immunoregulatory effect of vaccination with diphtheria and tetanus toxoid on the parameters of adaptive immunity in children with kidney pathology are limited. The study aimed to study the effect of revaccination against diphtheria and tetanus on the proliferation and differentiation of immunocompetent cells, the formation of specific antibodies, and the course of the disease in children with glomerulonephritis (GN)., Methods: The study included 45 children with glomerulonephritis (GN) aged 5 to 15 years, in remission from 6 months up to 4 years. Of these, 25 children were revaccinated with DT toxoid (Diphtheria-Tetanus toxoid with reduced antigenic content) and 20 were in the control group (not vaccinated). The frequency of development of local and systemic reactions and the course of GN were assessed. The subpopulation structure of lymphocytes was studied in dynamics after 1-6-12 months by flow cytometry and IgG levels to diphtheria and tetanus were studied by ELISA., Results: In 92% of children with GN, the post-vaccination period was uneventful. 8% showed a rise in temperature up to 37.3 ° C, without the development of local reactions. During the year, none of the patients had an exacerbation of GN or a concomitant disease. After revaccination with DT toxoid, a significant increase in IgG antibodies against diphtheria and tetanus was revealed, which persisted after 12 months - 7.5 [5.1-10.8] IU/mL (p <0.001) and 7.2 [4.8-10.7] IU/mL (p <0.001), respectively. In the post-vaccination period, a multidirectional change in the concentration of T-lymphocytes was noted: with an initially increased level, their percentage after revaccination with DT toxoid decreases from 83 (81-86) % to 78 (76-80)% after a month (p = 0.04) and up to 75 (69-79)% after 12 months (p<0.001). In the control group, such a decrease was not observed. A similar picture was observed for T-helpers, cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, and in patients with an initially low percentage of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, on the contrary, its increase was noted (p<0.001), which is comparable with the value of this parameter in the group of children with initially normal value (H = 0.54, p = 0.76). The same patterns were observed in the change in the content of B-cells: one month after revaccination, the relative level of B-cells in patients with an initially lowered value increased (p = 0.02) and remained for 12 months (p<0.001)., Conclusion: Revaccination with DT toxoid in children with GN not only does not cause undesirable changes in the system of immunocompetent cells but also has an immunomodulatory effect, which contributes to the favorable maintenance of the remission period of the disease., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Kostinov, Akhmatova, Magarshak, Vlasenko, Polishchuk, Kostinova and Mashilov.)

Early studies on vaccination of children with oncological diseases were only dedicated to the assessment of safety and immunogenicity of the drug. Mechanisms of the post-vaccination immune response were not investigated. This study involved 41 patients aged 7-15 years who were treated for solid tumors two or more years ago. Of these, 26 were vaccinated against diphtheria and tetanus with ADS-m toxoid. Fifteen children (i.e., controls) were not vaccinated. The vaccination tolerability and clinical characteristics of the underlying disease remission ware assessed. Lymphocyte subpopulations were investigated over time by flow cytometry at 1, 6, and 12 months. IgG anti-diphtheria and anti-tetanus toxoids levels were assessed by ELISA. Within the first day of the post-vaccination period, two (7.7%) children demonstrated moderate local reactions and increased body temperature (up to 38.0°C). Relapse and metastasis were not mentioned within a year after immunization. An increase in concentration of IgG antibodies, maintained for 12 months, were noted [2.1 (1.3-3.4) IU/ml against diphtheria (p <0.001), 6.4 (2.3-9.7) IU/ml against tetanus (p <0.001)]. In contrast to healthy children, those with a history of cancer demonstrated a decrease in the relative number of mature T lymphocytes, as well as in absolute number of cytotoxic T cells and B lymphocytes. In a month after the revaccination, a significant increase in absolute (p = 0.04) and relative (p = 0.007) numbers of T lymphocytes and T helpers was revealed. In a year, these values decreased to baseline levels. As for helpers, they decreased below baseline and control values (p = 0.004). In a year after the vaccination, there was a significant (p = 0.05) increase in lymphocyte level with a decrease in the number of NK cells and B cells as compared with controls. Revaccination against diphtheria and tetanus promoted proliferation of a total lymphocytic cell pool along with restoration of the T lymphocyte subpopulation in children with a history of solid tumors. The ADS-m toxoid has a certain nonspecific immunomodulatory effect. These findings are important, also in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Kostinov, Akhmatova, Karpocheva, Vlasenko, Polishchuk and Kostinov.)

A number of studies have demonstrated the limited efficacy of S. pneumoniae type 3 capsular polysaccharide (CP) in the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine against serotype 3 invasive pneumococcal diseases and carriage. Synthetic oligosaccharides (OSs) may provide an alternative to CPs for development of novel conjugated pneumococcal vaccines and diagnostic test systems. A comparative immunological study of di-, tri-, and tetra-bovine serum albumin (BSA) conjugates was performed. All oligosaccharides conjugated with biotin and immobilized on streptavidin-coated plates stimulated production of IL-1 α , IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IFN γ , IL-17A, and TNFα, but not IL-6 and GM-CSF in monocultured mice splenocytes. The tetrasaccharide-biotin conjugate stimulated the highest levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IFN γ , which regulate expression of specific immunoglobulin isotypes. The tetra-BSA conjugate adjuvanted with aluminum hydroxide elicited high levels of IgM, IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b antibodies (Abs). Anti-CP-induced Abs could only be measured using the biotinylated tetrasaccharide. The tetrasaccharide ligand possessed the highest binding capacity for anti-OS and antibacterial IgG Abs in immune sera. Sera to the tetra-BSA conjugate promoted greater phagocytosis of bacteria by neutrophils and monocytes than the CRM 197 -CP-antisera. Sera of mice immunized with the tetra-BSA conjugate exhibited the highest titer of anti-CP IgG1 Abs compared with sera of mice inoculated with the same doses of di- and tri-BSA conjugates. Upon intraperitoneal challenge with lethal doses of S. pneumoniae type 3, the tri- and tetra-BSA conjugates protected mice more significantly than the di-BSA conjugate. Therefore, it may be concluded that the tetrasaccharide ligand is an optimal candidate for development of a semi-synthetic vaccine against S. pneumoniae type 3 and diagnostic test systems., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Kurbatova, Akhmatova, Zaytsev, Akhmatova, Egorova, Yastrebova, Sukhova, Yashunsky, Tsvetkov and Nifantiev.)

Background: Influenza prophylaxis with the use of quadrivalent vaccines (QIV) is increasingly being introduced into healthcare practice., Methods: In total, 32 healthy adults and 6 patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) received adjuvant QIV during 2018-2019 influenza season. Depending on initial antibody titers, healthy volunteers were divided into seronegative (≤1:20) and seropositive (≥1:40). To evaluate immunogenicity hemagglutination inhibition assay was used., Results: All participants completed the study without developing serious post-vaccination reactions. Analysis of antibody titer 3 weeks after immunization in healthy participants showed that seroprotection, seroconversion levels, GMR and GMT for strains A/H1N1, A/H3N2 and B/Colorado, B/Phuket among initially seronegative and seropositive participants meet the criterion of CHMP effectiveness. CVID patients showed increase in post-vaccination antibody titer without reaching conditionally protective antibody levels., Conclusion: Adjuvant QIV promotes formation of specific immunity to vaccine strains, regardless of antibodies' presence or absence before. In CVID patients search of new regimens should be continued.

Background: Recent addition to vaccines of adjuvants has been actively used to enhance the immunogenicity. However, the use of adjuvants for the development of quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccines (QIV) is currently limited. The aim of this study was to examine immunogenicity of adjuvanted QIV in healthy people and patients with primary immune deficiency-common variable immune deficiency (CVID). Methods: In total before the flu season 2018-2019 in the study were involved 32 healthy volunteers aged 18-52 years and 6 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of CVID aged 18-45 years. To evaluate antibody titers 21 days after vaccination against the influenza A and B strains a hemagglutination inhibition assay (HI) was used. Results: In healthy volunteers adjuvanted QIV has proved its immunogenicity to strains A/H1N1, A/H3N2, B/Phuket and B/Colorado in seroprotection (90, 97, 86, and 66%, respectively), seroconversion (50, 60, 52, and 45%, respectively), GMR (6.2, 5.7, 4.2, and 3.4, respectively). Statistically significant differences in the level of all criteria were revealed between groups of healthy and CVID patients regardless of the virus strain. Most patients with CVID showed an increase in post-vaccination antibody titer without reaching conditionally protective antibody levels. Conclusion: Immunization with single dose of adjuvanted QIV with decreased amount of hemagglutinin protein to all virus strains due to the use of azoximer bromide forms protective immunity in healthy people, but in patients with CVID the search for new vaccination schemes is the subject of further investigations, as well as the effectiveness of boosterization with adjuvant vaccines., (Copyright © 2020 Kostinova, Akhmatova, Latysheva, Dagil, Klimova, Vlasenko, Khromova, Latysheva and Kostinov.)

Background: In the last decade, adjuvant-containing vaccines, exerting different effects on the immune system, including the production of cytokines, which are one of the most important regulatory systems of the body, are introduced into practice. Objectives: An effect of the immunoadjuvant polymer-subunit and adjuvant-free vaccines against influenza on the cytokine profile of mononuclear leukocytes in 27 healthy women was studied. Methods: The study of cytokine profile in human peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes exposed to vaccines against influenza virus was determined by flow cytometry method (Cytomix FC-500, Beckman Coulter, USA) using the Multiplex-13 test system (Bender MedSystems, Austria). Results: It was established that all the studied vaccines leaded to somewhat increased levels of Th1/Th2/Th17/Th9/Th22 cytokines in the culture fluid of peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes (PBML), which indicates the activation of both humoral and cellular immunity. An immunoadjuvant vaccine has been shown to be superior in activating the synthesis of Th1 (IL-12, INF-g, IL-2, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) cytokines, IL-9 and IL-22, while the subunit vaccine was superior in activating the synthesis of IL-4, and split vaccine-of IL-5. Conclusions: Immunoadjuvant vaccine is superior in terms of inducing cellular immune effectors to a greater extent compared to subunit and split vaccines., (Copyright © 2020 Kostinov, Akhmatova, Khromova and Kostinova.)

Pregnancy is a condition of modulated immune suppression, so this group of patients has increased risk of infectious diseases. Trivalent subunit vaccines, unadjusted Agrippal S1 (group I) and immunoadjuvant Grippol Plus (group II), containing 5 μg of actual influenza virus strains, were administered respectively to 37 and 42 women in the second and third trimester of physiological pregnancy. The administration of subunit influenza vaccines was accompanied by the development of local reactions in no more than 10% of patients, compared with 4.9% of the 41 pregnant women in the placebo group (group III). Systemic reactions were of a general somatic nature, did not differ between vaccinated and placebo groups, and were not associated with vaccination. Physiological births in groups I, II and III were 94.6%, 92.9% and 85.4%, respectively, and the birth rates of children without pathologies were 91.9%, 90.5% and 80.5%, respectively, and were comparable between groups. Vaccination stimulated the production of protective antibodies against influenza virus strains in 64.8-94.5% of patients after immunisation with an unadjusted vaccine and in 72.5-90.0% of patients after the administration of an immunoadjuvant vaccine. After 9 months, antibody levels were recorded in 51.3-72.9% in group I and 54.2-74.2% in group II. Immunisation against influenza in pregnant women provided a high level of seroprotection and seroconversion. Nevertheless, the level of seroprotection against the influenza strain A(H3N2, Victoria) was slightly lower in the group immunised with an unadjusted vaccine compared to those vaccinated with the immunoadjuvant vaccine., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: None declared.

Pregnant women are risk group for influenza infection. Results of new subunit vaccines application have not been studied enough. Prospective, randomized, open-label comparative study of subunit (Agrippal) and polymeric subunit (Grippol plus) vaccines. 42 pairs of mothers-infants were participated in the study. Protective antibodies (≥ 1:40) to different influenza strains were registered on day 1 after the birth on the same level as 53% of cases in pairs mothers-infants after immune adjuvant polymeric subunit and subunit vaccines administration. There were the same level of protective antibodies (AB) among mothers after 3 month, but transplacental antibodies decreased among infants and registered in the 13-22% cases of Grippol plus group and 31-43% cases in Agrippal S1 group. AB titre to influenza virus A/H1N1/pdm09 and A/H3N2/in pairs mothers-infants were the same in both groups in first days after birth, but AB levels to B strain were lower among infants without regard to vaccine. There is no difference in AB titres among infants of both groups at 3 month of age, but their levels were twice lower versus initial data. An immune adjuvant polymeric subunit as well as subunit vaccines application in pregnant women forms protective AB in pairs mothers-infants.

Identifying protective synthetic oligosaccharide (OS) epitopes of Streptococcus pneumoniae capsular polysaccharides (CPs) is an indispensable step in the development of third-generation carbohydrate pneumococcal vaccines. Synthetic tetra-, hexa-, and octasaccharide structurally related to CP of S. pneumoniae type 14 were coupled to bovine serum albumin (BSA), adjuvanted with aluminum hydroxide, and tested for their immunogenicity in mice upon intraperitoneal prime-boost immunizations. Injections of the conjugates induced production of opsonizing anti-OS IgG1 antibodies (Abs). Immunization with the tetra- and octasaccharide conjugates stimulated the highest titers of the specific Abs. Further, the tetrasaccharide ligand demonstrated the highest ability to bind OS and CP Abs. Murine immune sera developed against tetra- and octasaccharide conjugates promoted pathogen opsonization to a higher degree than antisera against conjugated hexasaccharide. For the first time, the protective activities of these glycoconjugates were demonstrated in mouse model of generalized pneumococcal infections. The tetrasaccharide conjugate possessed the highest protective activities. Conversely, the octasaccharide conjugate had lower protective activities and the lowest one showed the hexasaccharide conjugate. Sera against all of the glycoconjugates passively protected naive mice from pneumococcal infections. Given that the BSA-tetrasaccharide induced the most abundant yield of specific Abs and the best protective activity, this OS may be regarded as the most promising candidate for the development of conjugated vaccines against S. pneumoniae type 14 infections.

Aim: Study immunologic phenotype of lymphocytes in the process of therapy of topic form of recombinant interferon-α2b during respiratory infections in pregnant., Materials and Methods: 74 pregnant women from 14 weeks of gestation took part in the study, among them 55 - within 24 hours with symptoms of acute respiratory infection (ARI) of light and me- dium, severe course of infection, who do not need hospitalization. Group I - 34 pregnant womenwithARI receivingbasic therapywith human recombinant interferon-(α2b in gelform. Group II - 21 pregnant with ARI receiving only basic therapy. Control group had 19 pregnant women without signs of ARI. Relative content of principle lymphocyte subpopulations was studied by flow cytofluorimetry: CD3+, CD3+CD4+, CD3+CD8+, CD3-CD19+, CD3- CD16+56+, CD3-CD8+; immune regulatory indexwas calculated inblood within 24 hours from the onset of the disease and 8 - 10 days later., Results: A disbalance of lymphocyte sub- populations was noted in pregnant women with light or medium severity course of acute respiratory infections, that was characterized by an increased content of CD3-CD16+56+ and CD3+CD8+, as well as a reduced content of CD3+ and CD3+CD8+. Inclusion of a topical form of recombinant interferon-α2b during the first days of development ofthe disease has a systemic effect on cell immunity and results in normalization of subpopulation compo- sition of blood lymphocytes that is characteristic for physiological course of pregnancy., Conclusion: Administration of topic form of recombinant interferon in pregnant with light or medium severity of ARI can be accompanied by activation of factors of innate and adaptive immunity.

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a tick-transmitted arbovirus that causes serious diseases in humans in Europe and Northern Asia. About 6000-10,000 cases are registered annually, and one-third of them lead to sequela with different degrees of severity. Two TBEV strains (Absettarov and EK-328) similar in virulence rate in laboratory mice were used to study pathogenesis and immune response upon lethal infection in mice. The strains differed in the dynamics of appearance of virus, IFNs and other cytokines in blood of mice, and ability to induce a cytokine storm in the terminal stages of disease and a non-sterile immunity. Moreover, the TBEV strains differed in characteristics of their interactions with DCs: level of reproduction in these cells, virus dose triggering IFN-α production, and impact on DCs' maturation. Infection of DCs with Absettarov strain led to IFN-α induction only at high multiplicity of infection (MOI), and an increased amount of the mature DCs with high adhesion activity and low-level of MHCII positive cells. While reproduction of the EK-328 strain in DCs was less efficient, a low dose of the virus induced IFN-α production and stimulated maturation of DCs with relatively low adhesive capacity, but with the high percentage of cells expressing MHCII molecules. Thus, the studied strains differed significantly in the impact on DCs' maturation and antigen presentation to CD4 + lymphocytes. Injection of low (10 3 PFU) and high (10 6 PFU) doses of both TBEV strains caused a lethal infection in mice. At the same time, the dose of the virus in the inoculum, regardless of the strain properties, affected the following virulence characteristics: the time of virus appearance in brain (day 4-5 vs. day 1 p.i.), time of IFN-α appearance in blood (10 h vs. 5 h p.i.), concentration of IFN-α in blood, and induction of IFN-α during infection of DCs. Therefore, virulent TBEV strains during lethal infection can interact differently with the host immune system, and the infectious dose has an impact on both: virus spread in the infected organism and immune response activation.

The effects of various sulfated polysaccharides of brown algae Fucus evanescens, Saccharina cichorioides and Saccharina japonica on the morphofunctional changes of dendritic cells have been investigated using flow cytometry and phase-contrast microscopy. The dendritic cells are characterized by larger sizes, vacuolated cytoplasm, eccentrically located nucleus, and also by the presence of numerous cytoplasmic pseudopodia of various shapes. They express surface markers, indicating their maturation (CD83, CD11c, HLA-DR, CD86). Increased production of immunoregulatory (IL-12) and proinflammatory TNF-a, IL-6) cytokines (by dendritic cells polarizes the development of the Th-1 type immune response.

Aim: Study subpopulation structure of lymphocytes in healthy individuals under the effect of various influenza vaccines in an in vitro system., Materials and Methods: Evaluation of immune- phenotype features of PBMCs, activated in vitro by immune-adjuvanted and unadjuvanted vaccines against influenza in healthy individuals, was carried out by using flow cytometry method., Results: Grippol plus vaccine caused a more pronounced stimulating effect compared with subunit and split-vaccines on NK-cells, cells with markers of early activation CD45/CD25, induced the quantity of natural regulatory cells (CD4/CD25/Foxp3), increase of the number of B-cells and reduced the amount of cell types with apoptosis marker CD45/CD95., Conclusion: Immune-adjuvanted vaccine Grippol plus induced formation of effectors of both innate and adaptive immunity and possessed the most powerful potential regarding activation of various types of immune-competent cells compared with unadjuvanted vaccines.

Aim: Evaluation ofthe ability of capsule polysaccharides (CP) of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 3 and 14 and their synthetic structure analogues, conjugated with bovine serum albumin (BSA), to detect antibodies in post-vaccination sera of mice. Materials andmethods. Oligosaccharides correspond- ing to one, one and a half and two repeating links of serotype 3 and 14 S. pneumoniae CP were synthe- sized, their conjugates with BSA were produced by squarate method as well. Ligand content-per BSA molecule was controlled by MALDI-TOF spectrometry. Immune sera were obtained after 2 intraperi- toneal administrations to mice of glucoconjugates adsorbed on aluminum hydroxide or 13-valent pneumococcal conjugated vaccine. Determination of levels of post-vaccination class G antibodies and their sub-isotypes was carried out in EIA., Results: Immunization of mice with neoglucoconjugates resulted in formation of predominantly IgGl recognizing serotype 3 and 14 S. pneumoniae C. IgG1 in mice immunized with a 13-valent conjugated vaccine recognized serotype 3 S. pneumoniae CP, but detected serotype 14 S. pneumoniae CP weakly. All the conjugated synthetic oligosaccharides were characterized by a high ability to bind antibodies in blood of mice immunized with the polysaccharide conjugated vaccine. BSA-tetrasaccharide of serotype 3 S. pneumoniae and BSA-tetrasaccharide of serotype 14 S.pneumoniae were characterized by the highest ability to detect IgG1 against C., Conclusion: Synthetic oligosaccharides, conjugated with BSA protein-carrier, may be used to develop diagnostic test-systems for determination of antibodies in post-vaccination sera.

Aim: Study the effect of Vaxigrip split, Influvac subunit and Grippol plus immune-adjuvanted vaccines on the content of myeloid (mDC) and plasmacytoid (pDC) dendritic cells (DC) in blood of vaccinated healthy women. Materials andmethods. Blood of 30 healthy women aged 18-50 years was studied at days 7 and 30 after the vaccination. pDC (CD14+CD16-/CD85k(ILT3)-PE/ CD123-PC5) and mDC (CD14+CD-16-/CD85k(ILT3)-PE/CD33 -PC5) immune phenotyping was carried out using mAbs (Beckman Coulter, France) and flow cytometer Cytomix FC-500 (Beckman Coulter, USA)., Results: Use of unadjuvanted vaccines Vaxigrip and Influvac resulted in an increase of the numbers of mDC and pDC (p<0.05) in blood of the vaccinated only at day 7 of the observation. Grippol resulted in a more significant (2.2 - 3.6 times, p<0.05) increase of DC subpopulations (compared with unadjuvanted vaccines) at both day 7 and a month after the vaccination., Conclusion: Influenza vaccination activated innate effectors - the first component on the way of infection penetration - dendritic cells of both myeloid and lymphoid origin. Wherein, a more pronounced and prolonged effect of such activation is observed when immune-adjuvanted vaccine is used compared with subunit and split vaccines.

We report the effect of a bovine serum albumin (BSA) conjugate of a synthetic hexasaccharide (HS) related to the fragment of the capsular polysaccharide (PS) of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 14 on the stimulation of innate immune system and the subsequent development of a PS-specific antibody response. Glycoconjugate (GC) in the presence (GC + AL) or absence of aluminum hydroxide was administered to mice twice. GC increased the number of TLR2-expressing cells and induced the maturation of dendritic cells (CD11c(+), CD80(+) and, MHCII(+)), which secreted IL-1β, IL-6, and TNFα into the culture medium. The level of IL-1β, IL-10, IFNγ, and TNFα in the blood increased within 24 h after the single GC administration to mice. On day 7, the numbers of splenic CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes increased. After the second immunization, the levels of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes were lower than in the control, whereas the B cell, NK cell, and MHC class II-expressing cell numbers remained enhanced. However, of the presence of anti-PS, IgG antibodies were not detected. The addition of aluminum hydroxide to GC stimulated the production of GM-CSF, IL-1β, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, IFNγ, and TNFα. Anti-PS IgG1 antibody titers 7 days after the second immunization were high. During that period, normal levels of splenic CD4(+) T lymphocytes were maintained, whereas reduced CD8(+) T lymphocyte numbers and increased levels of B lymphocytes, NK cells, and MHC class II-expressing cell numbers were observed. Anti-PS IgG levels diminished until day 92. A booster immunization with GC + AL stimulated the production of anti-PS IgG memory antibodies, which were determined within 97 days. The elucidation of specific features of the effect of the synthetic HS conjugate on the stimulation of innate, cell-mediated immunity, and antibody response can favor the optimization of GC vaccine design.

Aim: Study innate and adaptive immunity in patients with migrating erythema, clinical effectiveness ofcombined therapy using Immunovac vaccine and dynamics of immunologic parame- ters as a result of the therapy., Materials and Methods: 37 adult patients with migrating erythema were examined. The patients were divided into 2 groups: 1st gr. (14 individuals) - Immunovac by intranasal-subcutaneous method against the background of basic therapy; 2nd gr. (23 individuals) - 200 mg/day doxycycline therapy for 21 days. Phagocytic activity of blood neutrophils; TLRs expression on mononuclear leukocytes of peripheral blood (PBML) and skin cells in foci by flow cytometry with mAT against TLR2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 using flow cytometer FC-500; subpopulation composition of peripheral blood lymphocytes; levels of pro-, anti-inflammation and regulatory cytokines in blood sera by EIA method; IgG, 1gM, IgA in blood sera were studied in patients before treatment and 1 month after therapy., Results: A high level of TLR2, 4, 7, 8 on skin cells in foci, TLR2, 4 - on blood cells; low content of CD95+ and CD25+, high-level of serum IL-lb, IL-2 and IL-4, an increase of general IgE level was detected in patients'with migrating erythema. Immunovac facilitated an increase of CD95+ and CD25+, IFN-y synthesis, reduced the level of general IgE in a more pronounced way than basic therapy., Conclusion: Inclusion of Immunovac into therapy of patients With migrating erythema facilitates increase of clinical effectiveness and correlates with correction of immunologic disorders.

Aim: Study epitopic specificity of synthetic disaccharide, recurring link of serotype 3 S. pneumoniae, conjugated with bovine serum albumin (BSA)., Materials and Methods: Conjugate of the synthetic disaccharide with BSA was obtained by squarate method. Antigenic activity of the conjugate was studied in competitive EIA. Titers of IgG against capsule polysaccharide of serotype 3 S. pneumoniae were determined in EIA by using sera of mice immunized twice with disaccharide conjugate sorbed onto aluminum hydroxide., Results: Disaccharide conjugate used as a well-covering antigen (4 µg/well) in EIA was characterized by a high degree of specificity and interacted only with IgG against serotype 3 S. pneumoniae in antimicrobial sera of animals without reacting with antibodies (ABs) against other pneumococcus serotypes (6B, 10A, 19A, 19F, 23F). Disaccharide conjugated with BSA was determined in competitive EIA to inhibit bonding of ABs to disaccharide by 78.8%, bacterial capsule polysaccharide by 56.9%, BSA did not inhibit the sera activity. The study of sera of mice immunized by serotype 3 S. pneumoniae disaccharide conjugate in EIA, where capsule polysaccharide was used as a plate-sorbed antigen, has established the presence of IgG against capsule polysaccharide at a titer of 1:1600., Conclusion: The disaccharide that is a single recurring link of serotype 3 S. pneumoniae contains a key epitope of capsule polysaccharide. The synthetic disaccharide could be used as a component of multivalent conjugated pneumococcal vaccines and for development of diagnostic test-systems.

Aim: Study the effect of aluminium hydroxide on molecular-cell mechanisms of innate immunity activation and its adjuvant effect on immunogenicity of natural bacterial and synthetic pneumococci antigens., Materials and Methods: Surface markers of dendritic cells (DC), mononuclear leukocytes (ML) and cytokine levels were determined by flow cytometry; IgG titers--by EIA. Protective activity was evaluated in experiments with active protection of mice from infection with virulent pneumococci strains., Results: Aluminium hydroxide increased the ML content of mice spleen expressing TLR2 and TLR4. Its addition into the culture of immature DC induced the appearance of a population of cells with mature DC markers--CD83, CD80, CD86, however, the level of undifferentiated cells (CD34) and cells with adhesion molecules (CD11c, CD38) did not change. DC produced IL-1β, IL-5, IL-10, IFNγ into the cultivation medium. An increase of cytokine production took place 2 hours after the administration into mice and was retained for the observation period (24 hours). Th1 (IFNγ, TNFα) and Th2 (IL-5, IL-10, GM-CSF) cytokine production gave evidence on immune response polarization by Th1/Th2, type. After 2 administrations of aluminium hydroxide into mice the number of ML with CD19+, CD5+, NK1.1+, CD25+, MHCII+ markers increased during decrease of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes. Adaptive immunity activation was characterized by high IgG titers to pneumococci capsule polysaccharide and protection of 90 - 100% of the mice against infection with lethal doses of S. pneumoniae strains, was detected during 2-fold immunization of mice with conjugates of synthetic pneumococci oligosaccharides with BSA,sorbed onto aluminium hydroxide, whereas natural bacterial antigens provided 90 - 100% survival of animals during immunization without the adjuvant., Conclusion: Data are provided on the effect of aluminium hydroxide on key effectors of innate immunity: DC, ML, TLRs and cytokine production. A reasonable administration of this adjuvant was shown to be in association with conjugates of pneumococci synthetic oligosaccharides with a carrier protein.

We studied the effects of immunization with a conjugate of carrier protein and hexasaccharide ligand related to a fragment of capsular of Str. pneumoniae serotype 14 polysaccharide chain on activation of innate and adaptive immunity. It was found that two-fold immunization with the glycoconjugate adsorbed on aluminum hydroxide significantly increased the titer of IgG antibodies to capsular polysaccharide in the blood and protected 100% mice from infection with Str. pneumoniae serotype 14. Enhanced bactericidal activity of peripheral blood lymphocytes of mice was found 4 and 24 h after the first immunization with the immobilized glycoconjugate. Adsorption of the glycoconjugate on aluminum hydroxide resulted in modification of the immune processes at the stage of activation of innate immunity and subsequent strengthening of the adaptive immunity.

The minimal vaccination dose of tumor cells was determined on experimental models. The effectiveness of antitumor immunotherapy with activated natural killer cells or dendritic cell vaccine (monotherapy or combined treatment) was evaluated in vivo. The inhibition of tumor growth was more pronounced after combination therapy with activated natural killer cells and dendritic cell-based vaccine. Our results indicate that the effectiveness of antitumor immunotherapy increases in simultaneous modulation of both immune components (innate and adaptive immunity).

The effect of sulfated polysaccharide fucoidan from the brown alga Laminaria japonica on morphological characteristics of mouse lymphoid organs, subpopulations of spleen mononuclear leukocytes, cytokine production and cytotoxic activity of splenocytes has been investigated. Fucoidan promoted activation and proliferation of lymphoid hematopoietic cells in primary and secondary immunogenesis bodies, increased expression of markers CD19, NK, NKT, CD25, MHC II, TCR, TLR2 and TLR4, the cytotoxic activity of splenocytes and production of immunoregulatory and proinflammatory cytokines (IL- 2, IL-12, IFN-g, TNF-a, IL-6). This suggests activation of effector mechanisms of innate immunity and adaptive immune responses via the Th-1 type.

Tγδ and B1 lymphocytes are essential components of the mucosal immune system, activated directly by different bacterial and viral ligands without additional costimulatory signals and preprocessing of other immune effectors. This ability enables the immune system to provide rapid protection against pathogens and contributes to the decoding mechanism of the sensitizing activity of mucosal antigens. The early interaction of these cells results in the production of antibodies of immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgA isotypes, but not immunoglobulin E (IgE). We studied the subcutaneous, intranasal, and oral delivery as three major routes of potential entry for antigens of opportunistic microorganisms, using the immunomodulator Immunovac-VP-4, which is able to activate Tγδ and B1 lymphocytes. The subcutaneous and intranasal routes produced a significant increase of these cells in lymph nodes associated with the nasal cavity (NALT) and in those associated with bronchial tissue (BALT). The oral route significantly increased levels of these cells in the spleen, in NALT, BALT, and in nodes associated with the gut (GALT). We found that mucosal application of Immunovac-VP-4, which contains antigens of conditionally pathogenic microorganisms, in conjunction with the activation of Tγδ and B1, induces adaptive immune mechanisms not only in the lymphoid formations associated with the respiratory system and with GALT, but also in the spleen [increased expression of cluster of differentiation 3 (CD3), CD4, CD8, CD19, and CD25]. This indicates that there is migration of lymphoid cells from the regional lymph nodes and mucosal lymphoid tissues via the lymph and blood to distant organs, resulting in lymphoid development, and both local and systemic immunity. Mucosal application of Immunovac-VP-4 in mice potentiates the cytotoxic activity of NK cells in the NALT, BALT, and GALT. The highest cytotoxicity was observed in cells, derived from lymphoid tissue of the intestine after oral immunization. Although we found that cytokine production was increased by all three immunization routes, it was most intensive after subcutaneous injection. Our findings confirm that there is an intensive exchange of lymphocytes not only between lymphoid formations in the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and of GALT, but also with the spleen, which means that if effective mucosal vaccines are developed, they can induce both local and systemic immunity.

Aim: Study the features of cytokine profile in patients with exudative erythema multiforme (EME) and dynamics of basal level of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines during immunotherapy., Materials and Methods: 39 adult patients with erythema multiforme were examined. The patients were split into groups based on therapy variant. One group (14 individuals) received Immunovac-VP-4 against the background of basic therapy; the other (12 individuals)--cagocel against the background of basic therapy; comparison group (13 individuals) received only basic therapy; 15 individuals composed a group of healthy individuals. All the patients had the level of pro-, anti-inflammatory and regulatory cytokines determined in blood sera by solid-phase EIA method by using Biosource (Austria) test-systems at the beginning of the study and after the therapy., Results: In patients with exudative erythema multiforme Immunovac-VP-4 therapy facilitated a significant (p < 0.05) increase of serum IFN-gamma level, insignificant (p > 0.05) increase of IL-1beta and decrease of IL-17. Whereas cagocel lead to an increase of IL-4 (p > 0.05), IL-2, IFN-gamma (p < 0.05) and decrease of TGF-beta and IL-12 (p < 0.05). At the same time basic therapy facilitated a significant increase of IL-5 and decrease of IL-6, IL-12, IFN-gamma., Conclusion: Immunovac-VP-4 facilitates the increase of secretion of IFN-gamma, IL-1beta against the background of TGF-beta that facilitates normalization of cooperation of cells in immune response including against viral infections, and thereby influencing the trigger factor in EME patients.

The article reports survey data on 23 patients with erythemas, including 19 patients with herpes-associated erythema multiforme (HAEM) and 4 patients with Darier's erythema annulare centrifugum (DEAC). Patients in the initial state (baseline) and after two weeks of therapy with proteflazid were characterized by measuring the levels of Toll-like receptor (TLR) expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and in epithelial cells of the throat and the skin. The TLR expression in PBMC and skin was assessed by flow cytometry with monoclonal antibodies (ICA) (Caltag Laboratories, USA; Hycult Biotech, Netherlands) against relevant antigens. In addition, patients were also characterized by the content of subpopulations of lymphocytes expressing surface markers CD3, CD4, CD8, CD16, CD21, CD23, CD72, CD25, and HLA-DR in the peripheral blood, which was measured by flow cytometry. The therapy with proteflazid in patients with both HAEM and DEAC led to normalization of the level of both T-cell and B-cell immunity, which was manifested by an increase in the total number of lymphocytes, CD3+, CD4+, CD21+, and CD72+. Measurements of the dynamics of TLR expression in the course of immunotherapy showed an increase in the number of TLR 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, and 9 in PBMC (which was especially pronounced for TLR2) and in epithelium of the pharyngeal mucosa and skin (increased expression of TLR3, 7, and 9).

Aim: Study the production of cytokines in mice during vaccination with polycomponent Immunovac-VP-4 vaccine containing TLR ligands with various administration methods., Materials and Methods: Immunovac-VP-4 was administered to mice by subcutaneous, intranasal or per oral methods. The preparation was administered nasally at a single dose of 500 microg in the volume of 30 microl. Per oral single dose was 2000 microg in the volume of 0.5 ml. 200 microg of the preparation was administered subcutaneously. Cytokines in blood sera were determined by EIA 8 hours after the administration of the vaccine., Results: In mice 8 hours afterthe single administration of Immunovac-VP-4 the levels of IL-1beta, IL-6, IL- 12, IL-5 increased significantly. However their concentration differed depending on the method of administration. The most active expression of cytokines was observed during subcutaneous administration. The indexes of cytokine expression were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than during non-parenteral administration methods., Conclusion: Mucosal application methods along with parenteral were established to be able to activate effector mechanisms of immune repose with its consequent polarization by Th1/Th2 pathways. These mechanisms lay the groundwork for development of antigen-specific immune responses against antigens/pathogens.

Aim: Detection of features of functioning ofinnate and adaptive immunity pathways in patients with Darier erythema annulare centrifugum (EAC)., Materials and Methods: 14 EAC patients aged 14 - 52 years were examined. The patients were ranked based on therapy variant. The first group consisted of 6 patients who had received Immunovac-VP-4 (Immunovac) against the background of basic therapy; the second group (4 patients) received cagocel against the background of basic therapy; the third group (4 patients) received only basic therapy; the group of healthy individuals consisted of 15 individuals. All the patients had the level ofcytokines in blood sera determined by solid-phase EIA by using Biosource (Austria) test-systems. Evaluation of TLR expression in peripheral blood mononuclear lymphocytes and keratinocytes was carried out by flow cytometry method by using monoclonal antibodies (Catlag Laboratories, USA) against the corresponding antigens; evaluation of content of lymphocyte subpopulations in blood was carried out by using monoclonal antibodies by flow cytometry method on FacsCalibur flow cytometer (Becton Dickinson, USA)., Results: Immunotherapy by Immunovac and cagocel facilitated the increase of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+. Immunovac facilitated a significant increase ofinitially low values ofCD25+, CD95+ and normalization of CD72+; normalization of IgM level. Immunovac increased the level of serum IL-2, induced the increase of IFN-gamma synthesis in contrast to cagocel and basic therapy, the administration of those caused its decrease. TGF-beta increased during the course of Immunovac immunotherapy and decreased during basic therapy. In the course of basic therapy a significant increase of initially high level ofcytokine IL-I beta was observed., Conclusion: Immunovac therapy resulted in correction of content of lymphocyte populations, sera cytokines, facilitating the normalization of immunocompetent cell proliferation processes, activation of NK-cells, macrophages and at the same time suppression of DTH reactions. Immunovac facilitated the enhancement ofTLR3, 9 expression in the skin that indicates the inclusion ofintracellular receptor mechanisms of innate immunity.

Aim: Study cytokine-mediated immune response in mice vaccinated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa recombinant antigen preparations., Materials and Methods: Cytokine-mediated immune response was studied in mice vaccinated with membrane recombinant proteins OprF, OprL, a hybrid recombinant protein OprF-I consisting of sequences of OprF and OprI proteins and a recombinant atoxic form of exotoxin A with a deletion of 106 amino acid sequences (recombinant anatoxin - aTox) of P. aeruginosa., Results: An induction of a wide specter of studied cytokines was detected in the mice. The highest level was observed for IL-1 and IL-6 after administration of recombinant proteins OprL, OprF, OprF-1, aTox. OprF-I actively stimulated production of IL-2 that is a factor of growth and differentiation of lymphocytes, natural killers and cytotoxic lymphocytes; as well as IL-5, IL-O10, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma. Recombinant protein OprF-I facilitated induction of IL-6, IL-17, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma, whereas aTox - expression of IL-1, IL-2, IFN-gamma. Recombinant protein OprL induced IL-17 synthesis to the most extent and TNF-alpha and IL-10 - moderately., Conclusion: The P. aeruginosa recombinant proteins obtained during intraperitoneal administration to mice facilitated formation of immune response with the direction of induction in both Thl and Th2 pathways.

For their protection from host cell immune defense, intracellular eukaryotic parasites developed a variety of mechanisms, including secretion systems III and IV which inject bacterial effectors directly into eukaryotic cells. These effectors may be posttranslational modified by host cell machinery and may function inside the host cell. Recently, to the list of possible posttranslational modifications of bacterial proteins the prenylation was added. In this work we describe current state of the knowledge about the prenylation of eukaryotic and prokaryotic proteins and its inhibitors. The bioinformatics analyses suggest possibility of prenylation for a number of Francisella genus proteins.

Aim: Detailed characteristic of results of intranasal immunization of mice with one of two variants of vaccinating influenza virus, particularly in combination with a low molecular weight germanium-organic compound (LMW-GOC). An additional aim is evaluation of effect of LMW-GOC on the parameters of immune system in case of intranasal administration of the preparation without the addition of vaccinating virus., Materials and Methods: The study was carried out in female CBA mice (18-20 g, 6 animals per group). Intranasal immunization was carried out by 2 different variants of B/Victoria influenza virus--once or twice with a 2 week interval. Cells for study were obtained from spleen and nasal- and bronchial-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT/ BALT) 24 hours and 7 days after intranasal administration of the preparations. The main method of the study--determination of the level of expression of various markers oflymphocytes in comparison with the level of the same markers in the cells of control group animals by using flow cytometry method. The mean parameters obtained were determined by using program package WinMDI 2.8., Results: The main results were the increase of level of expression of various lymphocyte markers obtained from mice after intranasal administration of the vaccines and their combination with LMW-GOC or LMW-GOC only without the participation of the vaccines. A significant increase of the expression of TLR9 marker compared with other parameters was noted. Administration to mice of wild B/Victoria strain notably more frequently conditioned the decrease of expression of some parameters compared with administration of the cold adapted strain. Effect of LMW-GOC without the vaccine also conditioned the increase of levels of markers however a combination of the preparations with the vaccine was more effective., Conclusion: The increase of level of expression of a number of lymphocyte markers may serve as a sign of successful intranasal vaccination against influenza. LMW-GOC preparation increases immune stimulating effect of intranasally administered vaccines and in none of the cases weakens the stimulating result of effect of the vaccines, and in many cases increases it. LMW-GOC may be studied as a main or additional adjuvant for intranasal application of influenza vaccines.

Fixed erythema--a kind of clinical and histopathologic reaction, fixed drug eruption. The purpose of the study--the study of characteristics of the cytokine profile in patients with erythema and the dynamics of the basal levels of proinflammatory and antiinflammatory cytokines during immunotherapy. All 41 patients with fixed erythema at baseline and after treatment was carried out determination of levels of pro-, anti-inflammatory and regulatory cytokines in the serum by ELISA using test systems "Biosource" (Austria). In patients with fixed erythema Immunovac treatment increased serum IFN-gamma (p < 0.05), IL-1beta (p > 0.05), IL-6. While Kagocel led to an increase in IFN-gamma (p < 0.05), IL-1beta, IL-6 and reduction of TGF-beta (p < 0.05). At the same time in patients with fixed erythema basic therapy contributed to the significant increase in TGF-â and decrease in IL-10. Immunovac-VP-4 had the highest activity for the induction of IFN-gamma. Inclusion in the range of therapeutic and prophylactic measures in patients with fixed erythema immunomodulators promotes activation links innate and adaptive immunity triggers mechanisms, thus increasing the antiviral response in patients with erythema.

Cold-adapted (CA) strains A/Krasnodar/35 and B/Victoria/63 were isolated using passages of A/Krasnodar/101/59 and B/Victoria/2/87 wild type strains at low temperatures. The resulting CA strains possessed TS and CA phenotypes and had a reduced ability to reproduce in mouse lungs and nasal turbinates. They displayed a high protective efficacy in experiments on mice. The two CA strains reproduced well in chick embryos and MDCK cell line without change of TS and CA markers. The CA A/Krasnodar/35 strain during passages at low temperature acquired 13 mutations in the 6 internal genes, 8 of those mutations led to amino acid changes. The CA B/Victoria/63 strain acquired 8 mutations in the internal genes, 6 of which led to amino acid changes. The intranasal vaccination of mice with the CA A/Krasnodar/35 strain led to a transitory suppression of various lymphocyte subpopulations, as well as to an increase in the number of some other cell types. The CA strains in question may be used in the future as attenuation donors for live influenza vaccines.

Aim: Confirmation of immunostimulating effect of an original low molecular weight germanium organic compound (LMW-GOC) during immunization of mice with Vaxigrip vaccine., Materials and Methods: The experiments were carried out in CBA mice divided into 4 groups: control, those that received Vaxigrip influenza vaccine intraperitoneally, those that received LMW-GOC intraperitoneally and those that received both preparations at once. Effect of the preparations administered was evaluated by flow cytofluorometry based on changes of CD3, CD4, CD5, CD8, CD19, CD25, Foxp3, NK1.1, gammadelta T, MHC II, TLR2, TLR4, TLR9 expressing cell content in mice spleens. The content of the colored cells was determined at normal, 24 hours and 7 days after the administration of the preparations. Statistical treatment of the data was carried out by using Win MD 128 program package., Results: LMW-GOC can enhance the effect of Vaxigrip vaccine that is expressed by an increase of content in spleen of some lymphocyte subpopulations 24 hours and 7 days after the intraperitoneal administration. In some cases LMW-GOC increases the content of some lymphocyte subpopulations in mice spleen after administration as a monopreparation, i.e. without the vaccine. LMW-GOC suppressed stimulating effect of the vaccine on the spleen content of various lymphocyte subpopulations in none of the observations., Conclusion: By using cytofluorometry method it is possible to form an understanding of an elevated role of various types of cells in the development of immune response to the vaccine as well as regarding additional enhancement of this response during administration of LMW-GOC to mice. The effect of the preparation is manifested for a few days after its administration. The preparation manifests adjuvant properties and after further studies may be suggested for use as an adjuvant.

Aim: Study effect of fucoidans from brown algae on proliferative and cytotoxic activity of mice splenocytes., Materials and Methods: Proliferative and cytotoxic activity of mice splenocytes in vitro and ex vivo were studied in lymphocyte blast transformation reaction and in cytotoxic MTT-test on K562 human erythroblast leucosis cell line. Microphotography and microscopy were performed by using Axiocam HS photosystem and computer program AxioVision 4 (Germany)., Results: Fucoidans from brown algae Fucus evanescens, Laminaria cichorioides and Laminaria japonica in vitro and ex vivo systems were established to increase proliferative activity of mice splenocytes which is evidenced by an increase of stimulation index. Results of in vitro and ex vivo cytotoxic activity studies demonstrate that fucoidans which are various by chemical structure stimulate activity of NK-cells and facilitate an increase of splenocyte cytotoxic potential level against NK sensitive K562 cell line., Conclusion: The data obtained from the study demonstrate an ability of fucoidans to stimulate splenocyte proliferation and NK-cell killer activity, and studies of relation between structure and functions of sulfated polysaccharides facilitate a more detailed understanding of aspects of their mechanism of action on innate immunity system, thus providing the basis for development of new immunobiologic preparations - modifiers/agonists of innate immunity.

Addition of chitosan to inactivated trivalent polio vaccine or inactivated preparations of attenuated poliomyelitis viruses (Sabin strains) significantly increases immunogenicity of these inactivated poliomyelitis virus preparations. High neutralizing antibody titers are detected after two immunizations of mice and a single immunization of rats, as well as when the antigen dose was reduced by 4 times. Addition of chitosan as an adjuvant significantly induces cellular immunity.

Aim: To experimentally assess protective effect of Immunovac-VP-4 vaccine against avian influenza virus H5N2. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Immunization of mice with polycomponent vaccine Immunovac-VP-4 was performed using oral or mucosal route of administration (intranasally, orally, and with combined nasal-oral method). Immunized mice were inoculated intranasally by influenza virus H5N2 adapted for mice. Survival of mice in experimental and control (intact) groups was assessed daily during 14 days. Survival and death rates of mice were determined. Levels of cytokines in sera of mice from both groups were measured by enzyme immunoassay., Results: Half of experimental animals survived after triple subcutaneous administration of vaccine in dose 20 mcg and subsequent intranasal challenge with avian influenza virus H5N2. Single subcutaneous immunization with dose 400 mcg resulted in survival of 80 +/- 12.6% of mice after challenge. Triple intranasal and combined intranasal-oral immunization as well as after triple subcutaneous immunization resulted in survival of half of challenged mice. In control group challenge was lethal for 90 - 100% of mice. Same methods of immunization lead to increase of IL-6, IL-12, IL-15, and IFN-gamma levels., Conclusion: Data about significant protective effect after immunization with Immunovac-VP-4 against avian influenza virus H5N2 were obtained. Immunovac-VP-4 administered by mentioned routes activated nasal-associated lymphoid tissue providing first line defense at entry site of influenza infection, which demonstrates need to further study of this vaccine during development of strategy for non-specific prophylaxis of influenza infection.

Aim: To assess in vitro cytokine production by murine bone marrow dendritic cells (DC) matured under the effect of sulfated polysaccharides--fucoidanes from sea brown algae Laminaria cichorioides and Laminaria japonica., Materials and Methods: CBA line mice were used to obtain bone marrow origin precursors of DC. Isolation and study of chemical composition and structure of fucoidanes were performed using modern research methods. Expression of surface markers was determined by flow cytometry (FACS-analysis) using monoclonal antibodies to respective antigens. Levels of cytokine production were measured by t-ELISA using kits manufactured by Biosource (Belgium)., Results: I was determined that fucoidans induce maturation of DC that was evident by expression of terminal differentiation marker CD83, activation marker CD38, enhanced expression of costimulating CD86, antigen-presenting MHC II and adhesive CD11c molecules. Fucoidanes stimulate DC to produce proinflammatory (TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-1beta) and regulatory (IL-12) cytokines. Fucoidanes enhance expression of TLR-2 and TLR-4 but do not influence on expression of TLR-9., Conclusion: It was shown that fucoidanes from sea brown algae L. cichorioides and L. japonica activate innate immunity system that is evident by enhanced expression of surface molecules associated with DC maturation and increased production of proinflammatory and regulatory cytokines by DC. Enhanced expression of TLR-2 and TLR-4 allows to suppose that studied fucoidanes could have anti-infective effect in vivo.

Aim: Evaluation of differentiation dynamics and localization of various populations of lymphocytes as well as their expression of TLRs during different methods of administration (intranasal, oral, and subcutaneous) of bacterial ligands of opportunistic microorganisms (Immunovac-VP-4 vaccine) in experiment on mice., Materials and Methods: Polycomponent vaccine Immunovac-VP-4 consisting of ligands of 4 opportunistic bacteria was administered to CBA line mice. Groups of mice were immunized orally, subcutaneously, or intranasally. Number of mononuclear leukocytes, as well as levels of cytokines, lymphocytic antigens, and cytotoxic activity of cells were measured., Results: It was demonstrated that modification of immunophenotype of lymphocytes and cytotoxic activity of NK cells depends from route of administration of Immunovac-VP-4 because the most intensive activation of cells occurred in organs proximal to place of vaccine application. However, already 1 day after administration of vaccine there was intensive exchange between lymphoid cells not only in nasal associated lymphoid tissue, bronchial associated lymphoid tissue, and gut associated lymphoid tissue but also in spleen that points to integration of fine mechanisms of mucosal and systemic immune response regulation., Conclusion: Development of noninvasive methods of vaccination is an optimal way of safe and mass prevention of infectious diseases.

Aim: Assessment of characteristics of antigenic complexes of Staphylococcus aureus vaccine strains in different cultivation conditions., Materials and Methods: S. aureus vaccine strains (No. 5, 9, 1986, 1991) were grown in liquid nutrient media--full value and semi-synthetic--as well as on solid medium. Reactor cultivation was performed in the fermenter ANKUM-2M. Complex of antigens were obtained by water extraction method applied to staphylococcal biomass inactivated with acetone and assessed by common methods on protein and carbohydrate content; specific activity was assessed by minimal inhibitory dose in passive hemagglutination inhibition assay. Study of acute toxicity was performed on outbred mice., Results: Using strain no. 1991, model of reactor cultivation in full value medium with separation of biomass by microfiltration was validated on the basis of biomass and semiproduct of antigenic complex (acetone powder) yield as well as productivity of biomass cumulation. Study of antigenic complexes obtained from biomass of 4 strains during reactor cultivation compared with complexes extracted from cultures grown on solid medium revealed increased protein and decreased carbohydrate content but similar specific activity. It was demonstrated that complex of antigens obtained from cultures grown either by reactor cultivation or on solid medium were non-toxic., Conclusion: New technology for manufacturing staphylococcal complex of antigens with reactor cultivation of vaccine strains in full value medium with subsequent purification of antigenic complex from the biomass by microfiltration was developed. Results of the study demonstrated the usefulness of the developed technology for both further studies on a cellular staphylococcal vaccine and manufacture of staphylococcal component of "Immunovac" vaccine.

Aim: To determine level of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) expression in spleen and lymphatic nodes of mice after immunization by mucosal routes., Materials and Methods: Mice were immunized with polycomponent vaccine Immunovac either by mucosal or subcutaneous route. Expression of TLRs in spleen, respiratory tract-associated lymphatic nodes as well as in small intestine was measured in immunized mice by flow cytomentry method., Results: After immunization of mice by subcutaneous, intranasal and oral routes level of TLRs expression was different. Significant expression of TLR9 and absence of TLR2 expression was noted after non-parenteral methods of immunization. After oral immunization expression of TLRs was identified in gut-and respiratory tract-associated lymphoid tissue as well as in spleen; after intranasal immunization--in respiratory tract-associated lymphoid tissue, and after subcutaneous immunization--in spleen and respiratory tract-associated lymphoid tissue., Conclusion: After oral immunization expression of TLRs was identified in all studied organs, including spleen. Involvement of spleen to this process allows to assume establishment of not only local but also systemic immunity.

Aim: To study effect of recombinant heat-shock protein (rHSP70) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis on immunogenicity of Haemophilus influenzae type b capsular polysaccharide (CPSHib)., Materials and Methods: Capsular polysaccharide was obtained by precipitation with cetavlon, antibody titers and Toll-like receptors (TLRs) were detected by enzyme immunoassay and flow cytometry respectively., Results: rHSP70 modified immune response to chemically conjugated and unconjugated CPSHib. rHSP70 enhanced expression of TLRs 2, 4, 9 on mice splenocytes; increased levels of CD3+, CD8+, NK, CD3/NK (NKT) lymphocytes. Levels of CD4+, CD25+ (markers of early activation of T-helpers) as well as MHC class II molecules were increased that could be appraised as a shift from T-independent to T-dependent immune response. Difference in antibody titers after 2- or 3-dose immunization of mice with 5 mcg/dose of CPSHib in mixture or conjugated with rHSP70 was not revealed. Level of antibodies to rHSP70 in serum samples of mice immunized with CPSHib conjugated with rHSP70 was 6.55 - 8.4 times higher compared to unimmunized animals. Antibodies, which have common antigenic epitopes to human organs and tissues, were not detected., Conclusion: rHSP70 modifies immune response to CPSHib.

Aim: To study molecularand cellular mechanisms of action of "Staphylovac" vaccine on effectors of innate immunity in mice., Materials and Methods: Dynamics of changes of mice spleen mononuclear leukocytes immunophenotype under the influence of the vaccine at determined time intervals was assessed in the study., Results: In response to antigenic stimulation mice immune system reacted by increasing number of cells expressing molecules of T-cell subpopulations--CD3, CD4, CD8; B-cell subpopulation--CD19 and natural killers--NK. Activation of immune system of mice was noted which expressed as increased levels of molecules for antigenic presentation (MHCI, MHCII), regulatory molecules (CD4/CD25) as well as enhanced cytotoxicity potential and phagocytic activity., Conclusion: Staphylococcal vaccine as well as studied antigens of Staphylococcus aureus promote activation of immune system. Cytotoxic potential obtained by NK cells under their influence as well as enhancement of phagocytic activity of macrophages point to activation of innate immune mechanisms.

Experimental study of adjuvant effect of recombinant mycobacterial heat-shock protein rHSP70 on immune response to antigens of opportunistic microorganisms was performed. Therapeutic poly-component vaccine Immunovac-VP-4, containing ligands for binding with Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 2, 4 and 9, was used as a source of bacterial antigens. Obtained data showed that administration of rHSP70 mixed with bacterial antigens of opportunistic microorganisms leads to maturation of mice dendritic cells obtained from bone marrow precursors, increased expression of TLRs 2, 4, 9 on their surface and production of cytokines IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10, TNFalpha, as well as to activation of innate immunity in experiments in vivo resulting to increased resistance of mice to experimental Salmonella infection. Simultaneous administration of rHSP70 with bacterial antigens increased titers of antibodies to vaccine's antigenic components in direct hemagglutination reaction. Thus, adjuvant effect of rHSP70 was confirmed on the used model as well as increase of stimulation of innate and adaptive immunity was shown.