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Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic recurrent inflammatory disease accompanied by severe itching. One of the leading mechanisms underlying the development of AD is an imbalance of the Th1/Th2 cells immune response, which leads to an increased production of inflammatory mediators, including IL-1 family. The IL-1 family includes the recently discovered IL-33 and IL-37, and their role in the pathogenesis of AD has been actively studied. IL-33 functions as an alarmin that can induce IL-31 production, thereby leading to skin barrier impairment, pruritus and scratching. Having both immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive properties, IL-37 suppresses leukocyte infiltration of the affected skin and reduces the activity of proinflammatory cytokines. The aim of our study was to search for associations between gene polymorphisms of IL33, IL37 genes, and risk of AD. A total of 98 patients with moderate and severe AD were included in the study. The control group included 72 healthy volunteers. Polymorphic markers were determined in peripheral blood. After extraction of total RNA, polymorphic markers rs7019575 in the IL33 gene, rs3811046 and rs3811047 in the IL37 gene were analyzed using RT-PCR. There was no statistically significant difference in allele frequency and genotype distribution of rs7019575 (IL33) and rs3811047 (IL37). Studying the rs3811046 polymorphic marker in the IL37 gene showed that the risk of AD was almost 2 times lower for the G allele carriers and more than 2-fold higher for TT homozygous carriers. The haplotype analysis revealed that the GTAA and TTGG haplotypes of IL37 were associated with AD, thus increasing the risk of AD development by 2 and 10 times, respectively. In conclusion, SNP markers identified in this study can be used to predict the risk of AD development in the subjects with a positive family history of atopic diseases.

Today, the proportion of elderly and senile people is steadily growing throughout the world. The most important factors in the first line of immune defense of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract are β-defensins, which are a group of secretory proteins with antimicrobial activity. The aim of this study was to study the expression of genes for antimicrobial peptides β-defensins and the composition of the microbiome of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract in elderly people and long-livers with various aging phenotypes.The main study group included 67 centenarians and 49 elderly people, who were further divided into two subgroups depending on the course of aging (pathological and successful aging). Nucleic acids were isolated from nasopharyngeal scrapings and the expression levels of the DEFB1 and DEFB4 genes were determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The composition of the microbiota in nasopharyngeal swabs was determined by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.In analyzing the expression of the DEFB1 gene in elderly people and centenarians with successful and pathological aging phenotypes, no difference was revealed between the groups. Expression of the DEFB4 gene was increased in centenarians with pathological aging compared to centenarians with successful aging and in the elderly group. Excessive production of antimicrobial peptides is dual in nature; on the one hand, they provide the first line of defense against microorganisms, and on the other, they are cytotoxic to their own cells. An increase in the expression of the DEFB4 gene during aging may be due to an increase in the number of pathogen-associated molecular patterns, which can be one’s own microbiota and/or components of microbial metabolism. Analysis of the microbiota composition showed an increase in biodiversity in individuals with a successful aging phenotype compared to a pathological phenotype. Particular attention is paid to Staphylococcus spp., the species composition of which depends on the aging phenotype. In the pathological aging group, the frequency of St. aureus colonization is significantly higher than in the successful aging group.Thus, overexpression of the DEFB4 gene and changes in the composition of the microbiota of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract may be one of the mechanisms explaining the increased susceptibility to infections in various aging phenotypes.

Purpose of the study: to analyze the influence of dietary habits and the use of biologically active additives (BAAs) as a factor influencing the risk of COVID-19 in medical workers.Materials and methods: A longitudinal online study was conducted from March to April 2022. Incidence was assessed as the percentage of COVID-19 cases among the total number of respondents. Characteristics of methods for studying actual nutrition were carried out using the method of retrospective recording of nutrition (method of analysis of frequency of consumption).Results: respondents who took vitamin D in a prophylactic dosage were less likely to get sick with COVID-19 (confirmed SARS-CoV-2) – 35.9% did not get sick with SARSCoV-2; and those who didn’t take it – only 5.85%; p

Introduction. Polymorphic variants of interferon receptor genes determine cell sensitivity to interferons and the antiviral immune response.The study aimed to assess the impact of polymorphic variants of interferon receptor genes on humoral immunity to influenza and frequency of acute respiratory viral infections; taking into account vaccination status.Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional study involving adult residents of Arkhangelsk who do not receive vaccination against influenza; N=156; and those who receive vaccination annually; N=70. The research procedure included a survey; assessment of concentration of immunoglobulin G to influenza A virus and determination of specific polymorphic variants of interferon receptor genes.Results. Among those receiving vaccination annually; the proportion of seropositive individuals was higher (70;0%) compared to the non-vaccinated group (53;8%). In non-vaccinated individuals with the TT genotype of the polymorphic marker rs2229207 in the IFNAR2 gene; specific immunoglobulins G to influenza A virus were determined more frequently. The proportion of participants receiving annual influenza vaccination who experienced acute respiratory viral infections more than twice a year was 21;4%; while this proportion in non-vaccinated individuals was 32;7%. Among those vaccinated against influenza annually; the odds of frequent acute respiratory viral infections were four times higher in individuals with the GGTC haplotype (rs2257167 IFNAR1 + rs2229207 IFNAR2) compared to other haplotypes.Conclusion. The associations between polymorphic variants of interferon receptor genes and humoral immunity to influenza and frequency of acute respiratory viral infections can be used to identify risk groups and for the development of personalized approaches for the specific prevention of viral infections.

Among respiratory viruses, the most serious complications are caused by influenza A and B viruses, as well as coronaviruses. Most studies determined the absolute content of interferons (IFNs) of different types in blood serum. However, serum IFN protein concentrations do not always reflect the level of antiviral protection. The purpose of this study was a comparative assessment of interferon status in patients with ARVI: influenza and the acute stage of COVID-19. Materials and methods. We used biomaterial in the form of whole blood samples from 113 patients with influenza and 110 patients in the acute phase of moderate COVID-19. The body’s antiviral defense during ARVI was assessed by determining the activity of type I and II interferons produced by blood leukocytes using the “Interferon status” method in a cell-virus system simulated in vitro. Results. This work reveals a statistically significant decrease in the biological activity of interferons produced by blood leukocytes in influenza and a deficiency of IFN activity in COVID-19, compared with reference values, and also shows possible prospects for the treatment of these nosologies with such immunoactive drugs as IFN inducers (cycloferon, Kagocel) and immunomodulators (ingavirin, multicomponent vaccine Immunovac-VP-4). Conclusion. The results of IFN activity are necessary to assess the antiviral potential of the body, especially with COVID-19, given the “novelty” of the infection, the severity and variety of its clinical manifestations. Today it is known that the SARS-CoV-2 virus is capable of penetrating not only into the epithelial cells of the upper respiratory tract, epithelial cells of the stomach and intestines, but also into the cells of the esophagus, heart, adrenal glands, bladder, brain, as well as into the vascular endothelium and macrophages. Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 inhibits the expression of cellular genes, including innate immune genes, and has a negative effect on the IFN system. The use of IFN inducers and immunomodulators for influenza and COVID-19 has shown immunological feasibility and clinical promise.

Introduction. Rubella virus is an RNA-containing virus capable of infecting human cells and causing infectious disease. Infection of pregnant women with rubella virus can lead to abortion or congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), a set of long-term birth defects including incomplete fetal organ development and mental retardation. There is no specific treatment for rubella and CRS. The regulation of antiviral immune response and viral reproduction by long non-coding RNAs is currently under active investigation. In this study, we evaluated the changes in the expression profile of long non-coding RNAs in rubella virus-infected A549 epithelial by RNA sequencing. Materials and Methods. A549 cells were infected with a wild-type variant of laboratory strain C-77 of rubella virus with a multiplicity of infection of 1.0 infectious units per cell and incubated for 72 hours. Virus titres were determined by the CCID method in the sensitive RK-13 cell culture. 48 h after infection, the cell monolayer was lysed, RNA was isolated, and libraries were prepared for sequencing. Sequencing was performed on the NextSeq500 platform (Illumina, USA) in paired-end reading mode. Validation of the obtained RNA sequencing data was performed using quantitative real-time PCR. Results. Rubella virus replication affects the production of some long non-coding RNAs by altering their expression profile. Thus, upon infection of A549 epithelial cells with rubella virus, there was a significant increase in the expression of such long non-coding RNAs as GAS5, NEAT1, LUCAT1, MIR210HG, MEG3, EPB41L4A-AS1, ZFAS1, and SNHG 1, 7, 12, 29, 32. DANCR, IGFL2-AS1, IGFL2-AS1, MIR1915HG, and SNHG14 were most significantly decreased in expression. Gene ontology (GO)-analysis revealed that long non-coding RNAs are involved at different levels in the mechanisms of immune response, in particular, RNA processing and nucleic acid metabolism; therefore, up- and down-regulation of these molecules leads to modulation of human antiviral immune response in response to rubella virus infection. Conclusion. Thus, the regulation of long non-coding RNA production by rubella virus has been shown for the first time. Differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs can be used as prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers of viral diseases.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate efficiency of a competitive enzyme immunoassay which specifically detects antibodies that recognize the receptor-binding domain at the S1 subunit of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus spike protein and block the formation of initiator infection complex between RBD and angiotensinconverting enzyme 2 (pseudo-neutralizing test, PNT) being applied at the stage of preclinical studies of anti- SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. We studied 37 animal blood sera (8 cows, 10 dogs) as well as 19 male and female transgenic mice of the B6.Cg-Tg(K18-ACE2)2Prlmn/HEMI line hemizygous for Tg(K18-ACE2)2Prlmn (Jackson Immunoresearch, West Grove, PA, USA)) immunized with candidate COVID-19 vaccine preparations containing SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein. In this study, 3 techniques were used for detection of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 virus, as follows: 1) a pseudo-neutralizing test (PNT) to detect antibodies that block interaction between RBD and ACE-2; 2) neutralization test (RN) to detect virus-neutralizing antibodies, and 3) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect class G antibodies to RBD SARS-CoV-2. The results were expressed, respectively, as the suppression quotients (SC), titers of virus-neutralizing antibodies (VNA), and the positivity index (IP). The data obtained show a pronounced, statistically significant correlation between the results obtained by immunoassay methods with VNA titers determined in the studied animals by the virological neutralization test. E.g., the Spearman correlation quotients for VNA and SC titers, were, respectively, 0.9151; 0.8085, and 0.9207 for dogs, transgenic mice and cows. The Spearman quotient for VNA and PI titers was 0.8854 and 0.8955 for dogs and transgenic mice. Thus, in order to evaluate immunogenicity of vaccine preparations in our study, both methods are adequate and safe analogues to RN-ELISA for determination of IgG to RBD and PNT aoming for detection of antibodies blocking the formation of RBD/ACE-2 complex. However, the advantage of PNT is its versatility, eliminating the need to use different conjugates to detect antibodies in blood sera of different animal species. The data obtained for samples of three animal species (transgenic mice, dogs and cows) well agree with similar data obtained by us and other researchers for human blood sera, thus demonstrating high correlation between the results of PNT-like competitive tests to determine antibodies that block the formation of the RBD/ACE-2 complex, with VNA results in virologic neurtralization test (RN). Therefore, the proposed PNT technique may be used in preclinical and clinical trials of candidate vaccines and drugs.

Purpose: to study the association of the polymorphic marker T786C of the eNOS gene with various stages of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).Materials and methods. Peripheral blood of 90 patients aged 56 to 89 yrs (ave. 71 yrs) with POAG stages I, II, III was tested. DNA was isolated using a set of ribosorbents (Synthol company); subsequently, a real-time PCR reaction was performed on a DT-96 amplifier using the set to determine the polymorphic marker T786C in the eNOS gene.Results. For all groups of patients, the frequency of occurrence of alleles and genotypes was calculated, and the relationship between the emergence of POAG and the presence of an unfavorable polymorphic marker was determined. The main changes were revealed at POAG stages II and III, whilst at stage I no effect of polymorphism T786C of the eNOS gene was observed.Conclusion. For the first time, a comparative assessment was made of the distribution of alleles and genotypes by the polymorphic marker T786C in the eNOS gene of patients with various POAG stages.

Relevance. On the territory of the Russian Federation, mass vaccination of the population is recognized as a priority health strategy against COVID-19, Gam-COVID-Vac vaccine has been widely used. The main risk group, which is subject to priority vaccination, are employees of medical organizations (MO). The determination of IgG to SARS-CoV-2 is an important parameter for assessing the intensity and duration of post-vaccination immunityAims. Study the immunological efficacy of the vaccine Gam-COVID-Vac used by employees of a psychiatric hospital and a regional hospital.Materials and methods. A study of the blood sera of 410 employees of two MO of various profiles who received one full course of the Gam-COVID-Vac» vaccine for the presence of IgG to RBD Spike SARS-CoV-2 using a set of reagents «SARS-CoV-2-IgG quantitative-ELISA-BEST» and IgG to NC SARS-CoV-2 using a set of reagents «ELISA anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG».Results and discussion. Specific IgG to RBD Spike SARS-CoV-2 after vaccination with «Gam-COVIDVac » were found in 92.9% of psychiatric hospital staff and 98.0% of the regional hospital. Antibodies of class G to SARS-CoV-2 with a level of 300 BAU/ml or more were detected in 11.6% of psychiatric hospital staff and in 70.0% of regional hospitals, which is associated with the smallest proportion of persons in a psychiatric hospital with hybrid immunity than in a regional hospital (67.4% vs. 89.0%, respectively). A study of employees of the Ministry of Defense of various profiles revealed a difference in the level of IgG to RBD Spike SARS-CoV-2: 178.0 BAU/ml in a psychiatric hospital and 366.0 BAU/ml in a regional hospital. In a psychiatric hospital, the IgG level was highest up to 3 months after the completed vaccination – 166.4 BAU/ml, in a regional hospital from 3 to 6 months – 362.8 BAU/ml, then the number of antibodies decreases, which indicates the importance of monitoring for class G antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 at different times after vaccinations. Among the employees of the two MO, mild forms of the COVID-19 disease prevailed.Conclusion. Thus, the high immunological effectiveness of vaccination against COVID-19 with Gam-COVID-Vac was established in a group of employees of two MO, and the need for serological monitoring for the purpose of revaccination was also shown.

Single nucleotide substitutions in gene sequence associated with conformational changes in protein receptor or in expression of interferon receptors may explain variations in human susceptibility to infection and severity of COVID-19 along with other well-known risk factors. The study aimed to investigate associations between polymorphic variants of interferon receptor genes, COVID-19 severity and prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes in the gut microbiota. Materials and methods. The study was conducted using a random sample of Arkhangelsk population aged 42 to 76 years (n = 305). The research involved gathering COVID-19 data from the Federal Register, conducting blood tests for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and polymorphic interferon receptor gene variants, and identifying antibiotic resistance genes in stool samples. Results. During the first 12–15 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, 17.4% of the study participants had symptomatic COVID-19, while 32.8% were asymptomatic. By the Autumn of 2022, symptomatic COVID-19 cases rose up to 36.4%, while asymptomatic cases increased to 61.3%. We reveal an association between the CC genotype of the IFNAR1 gene rs2257167 variant, the presence of the T allele of IFNAR2 gene rs2229207 variant, the CCTT haplotype and symptomatic COVID-19. The GCTC haplotype was associated with pneumonia and COVID-19 severity. In November 2022, macrolide resistance genes were observed in 98.4% of cases, whereas those to beta-lactams and glycopeptides — in 26.9% and 13.8% cases, respectively. Resistance to three classes of antibiotics was observed in 4.9% and was more frequently detected in individuals with the ССТТ haplotype. Genes encoding beta-lactamases were more often found in individuals with the GCTC haplotype, those who had COVID-19 with pneumonia and those who received hospital treatment. Glycopeptide resistance genes were associated with the CC genotype of the rs2257167 variant of IFNAR1 gene. Conclusion. We identified genetic determinants of susceptibility, symptomatic infection and COVID-19 severity. The associations between polymorphic variants of interferon receptor genes and COVID-19 severity can be used to identify people with a genetic predisposition to severe infection and to determine priority groups for vaccination, including the prevention of antibiotic resistance in complicated course of viral infections.

Relevance. In recent years, there has been an increase in the incidence of a number of vaccine-preventable diseases. The health of military personnel directly affects the combat effectiveness of the army. Aim. Preserving the health of the military and ensuring the sanitary and epidemiological well-being of the troops is one of the most important tasks. Result. Approaches to vaccination of persons subject to conscription for military service and a list of infections against which they should be vaccinated (influenza, meningococcal and pneumococcal infections, chickenpox, COVID-19) are presented. Vaccines, schedule and features of vaccine administration are described. A list of the main regulatory documents for vaccination is provided. Conclusion. Vaccine prevention of persons subject to conscription for military service is an important strategic task, the implementation of which depends on coordinated work between military and civilian healthcare. Vaccination coverage of persons subject to conscription for military service must reach 100%.

Relevance. Violation of the regulations on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by medical workers when providing medical care to patients with COVID-19 (COVID-19) at their workplaces and in other situations requiring PPE is fraught with serious consequences for the health and life of medical personnel and patients. Aims. To assess the impact of violations in the use of PPE on the incidence of COVID-19 of personnel of medical organizations of various profiles, including when providing medical care to patients with COVID-19. Materials and methods. The study used the method of cross-sectional retrospective simultaneous online questionnaire to assess the effectiveness of preventive measures against the spread of COVID-19, conducted from January to March 2022. The results of an anonymous online survey of various categories of personnel of medical, scientific and educational medical organizations of the Russian Federation providing medical care to patients with COVID-19 (n = 6032 people) were analyzed. Results. The study showed the greatest epidemiological significance in the formation of the risk of SARS-COV-2 infection by the irregular use of masks and gloves in the workplace (when providing medical care). The results of the assessment of the strength of the connection of violations in the use of personal protective equipment with infection with SARS-CoV-2 of the studied groups of personnel are presented. It is shown that the irregular wearing of face masks in the workplace when providing medical care has the most pronounced association with the risk of infection of all the factors studied. It is noted that statistically significantly more often the irregular use of masks and gloves in the workplace was allowed by students and nursing staff. Conclusions. The importance of compliance with the regulations for the use of personal protective equipment by medical workers is shown, not only when providing medical care to patients with COVID-19, but also at home, as well as the impact on the incidence of COVID-19 of the irregularity of the use of PPE by medical personnel in various conditions, including when providing medical care to patients with COVID-19.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are the most studied among all Pattern Recognition Receptors, the main function of which is to initiate innate immune response by recognizing pathogen-associated molecular patterns of various microorganisms on the skin surface. TLR-mediated recognition plays an important role in linking innate and adaptive immunity that ultimately leads to the production of key cytokines, chemokines and antimicrobial peptides. Today, there is growing interest in research on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TLR genes and its influence on susceptibility to inflammatory disease, including atopic dermatitis. The aim of the research was to study the association of the rs5743708 gene polymorphism in the TLR2 gene, the rs4986791 gene polymorphism in the TLR4 gene and the rs352140 gene polymorphism in the TLR9 gene with the risk of developing severe cases of AD. A total of 100 patients with AD were included in the study (38 male and 62 female). The age range was from 18 to 65 years old. All participants were divided into 2 groups according to the SCORAD index (SCORing Atopic Dermatitis). The control group included 72 volunteers over 18 years old. The results of our study showed a statistically significant difference between the moderate AD group and healthy controls in the rs352140 gene polymorphism in the TLR9 gene (Figure 1). The frequency of the GG genotype of SNP rs352140 in TLR9 was 0.169 in the AD group versus 0.329 in the control group (p < 0.05; OR = 0.42; 95% CI = 0.18-0.97).In conclusion, the results of our study showed that the TLR9 rs352140 gene polymorphism may be linked to an increased risk of atopic dermatitis. Moreover, it was found that the GG genotype of SNP rs352140 in TLR9 can be used as a predictor of the risk of developing moderate AD.

Neurodegenerative ophthalmopathology is one of the main causes of irreversible blindness and disability in the world. In the pathogenesis of diseases of this group, more and more attention has recently been paid to the role of local inflammation caused by the activation of innate immunity and the mechanisms of its genetic regulation. In recent years, works have appeared in the field of experimental ophthalmology that have demonstrated the possibility of NLRP1, NLRP3 inflammasome complexes assembling when exposed to hyperglycemia, oxygen deprivation of retinal cells, as well as modeling compressive stress similar to that in glaucoma [15]. However, the mechanism of inflammasome involvement in the development of neurodegenerative eye diseases remains unclear. The aim of the study was to investigate the local expression of genes encoding proteins of the NLRP3 inflammasome complex (NLRP3, CASP-1) in an experimental model of retinal degeneration in rabbits. The studies were performed on samples of tissue complex (TC) of the retina/retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) (retina/RPE TC), isolated from the eyes of 14 New Zealand albino rabbits, in which degenerative retinal lesion was modeled by a single subretinal injection of 0.01 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride solution, and 7 healthy rabbits without eye damage. The formation of retinal degeneration was judged on the basis of changes in morphofunctional parameters obtained during specialized ophthalmological research methods (optical coherence tomography, fundus autofluorescence, electroretinography) at follow-up periods of 1, 3 and 6 months. The level of expression of NLRP3 and CASP-1 genes in the retina/RPE TC was evaluated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). According to the results of the study, a statistically significant increase in NLRP3 gene expression (p < 0.001) was noted in the retina/RPE TC of experimental animals, which may indicate the involvement of NLRP-3 inflammasome components in the development of neurodegenerative retinal lesions. At the same time, the expression of the gene encoding CASP-1 was detected only in the retina/RPE TC of experimental eyes and is probably due to local inflammatory mechanisms in the retinal tissue.The high level of NLRP3, CASP-1 mRNA, detected in all retina/RPE TC samples of experimental eyes at late stages of the experiment (3 and 6 months), allows us to assume the formation of mechanisms (for example, activated glial phenotype) that support inflammation in retinal tissue. This should be taken into account in actively developing transplantation methods for the treatment of retinal degeneration.

Currently, monitoring infectious morbidity, control and forecasting the epidemic process is a topical health problem.Aim. To analyze the capabilities of the biobank for serological monitoring of infectious diseases using the Epstein- Barr virus (EBV), which is associated with infectious mononucleosis, as well as somatic pathology, including cancer.Material and methods. Using the quantitative enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay for specific antibodies to various EBV proteins, we studied blood serum samples from healthy individuals (2010, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022) from the collection of the N. F. Gamaleya National Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology.Results. For the first time, the intensity of EBV epidemic process among apparently healthy adult residents of the capital was assessed using samples of biological material and a biobank information database. At the time of examination, 0,8% of individuals were not infected with EBV, and 9,4% suffered reactivation of a chronic infection. There were no significant changes in detection rate of markers over the years.Conclusion. Certified collections of blood sera can be effectively used to study population immunity, the prevalence of individual infections, population protection nationwide, etc.

Objectives. To evaluate the dynamics of the expression level of IL-1β and IL-28β (IFN-λ3) genes as a result of complex knockdown of some cellular genes, whose expression products play an important role in the reproduction of the influenza virus.Methods. Following the collection of virus-containing liquid and cell lysate within three days from the moment of transfection and infection, the intensity of viral reproduction was assessed using the cytopathic effect titration method. The concentration of viral ribonucleic acid (vRNA) and change in the expression of IL-1β and IL-28β (IFN-λ3) were determined by real-time reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-qPCR). The nonparametric Mann–Whitney test was used to statistically calculate significant differences between groups.Results. The use of each small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) complex led to a decrease in viral reproduction on the first day at the multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 0.001. The use of complex A (FLT4.2 + Nup98.1) and D (FLT4.2 + Nup98.1 + Nup205) led to a decrease in viral titer by 2.8 lgTCID50/mL and by 2.1 lgTCID50/mL relative to the use of nonspecific L2 siRNA and viral control (p ≤ 0.05). Transfection of complexes B (Nup98.1 + Nup205) and C (FLT4.2 + Nup205) also reduced the viral titer by 1.5 lgTCID50/mL and 1.8 lgTCID50/mL relative to nonspecific L2 siRNA and viral control (p ≤ 0.05). When conducting real-time RT-qPCR, a significant decrease in the concentration of viral RNA was also noted. When using complexes B, C, and D, the concentration of vRNA decreased on the first day by 14.5, 4.1, and 15 times, respectively. On the second day, a decrease in vRNA was observed in cells with B and D complexes by 17.1 and 18.3 times (p ≤ 0.05). Along with a decrease in the viral titer and vRNA, an increase in the expression of the IL-1β and IL-28β genes was observed on the first day when using all siRNA complexes relative to nonspecific and viral controls (p ≤ 0.05). On the second day, an increase was also observed in cells with A and D complexes, while on the third day, there was an increase in the expression of these genes in cells with complex D (p ≤ 0.05).Conclusions. The use of siRNA complexes is shown to have a pronounced antiviral effect while simultaneously suppressing the activity of cellular genes (FLT4, Nup98 and Nup205). In parallel, the transfection of complexes that block the formation of expression products necessary for viral reproduction is demonstrated to lead to an increase in the level of expression of the IL-1β and IL-28β genes. These results indicate not only that the use of siRNA has antiviral activity, but also immunomodulatory activity, which can contribute to a more effective immune response of the body.

Aim. To study the effect of inhalation therapy with an active hydrogen (AH) on the protein composition of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) in patients with post-COVID syndrome (PCS).Material and methods. This randomized controlled parallel prospective study included 60 patients after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with PCS during the recovery period and clinical manifestations of chronic fatigue syndrome who received standard therapy according to the protocol for managing patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 (main) — 30 people who received standard therapy and AH inhalations (SUISONIA, Japan) for 10 days, and group 2 (control) — 30 medical workers who received only standard therapy. Patients in both groups were comparable in sex and mean age. All participants in the study were sampled with EBC on days 1 and 10. Samples were subjected to tryptic digestion and high-performance liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry analysis using a nanoflow chromatograph (Dionex 3000) in tandem with a high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometer (timsTOF Pro).Results. A total of 478 proteins and 1350 peptides were identified using high resolution mass spectrometry. The number of proteins in samples after AH therapy, on average, is 12% more than before treatment. An analysis of the distribution of proteins in different groups of patients showed that only half of these proteins (112) are common for all groups of samples and are detected in EBC before, after, and regardless of hydrogen therapy. In addition to the qualitative difference in the EBC protein compositions in different groups, quantitative changes in the concentration of 36 proteins (mainly structural and protective) were also revealed, which together made it possible to reliably distinguish between subgroups before and after treatment. It is worth noting that among these proteins there are participants of blood coagulation (а-1-antitrypsin), chemokine- and cytokine-mediated inflammation, and a number of signaling pathways (cytoplasmic actin 2), response to oxidative stress (thioredoxin), glycolysis (glyceraldehyde-3- phosphate dehydrogenase), etc.Conclusion. The use of hydrogen therapy can contribute to the switching of a number of physiological processes, which may affect the success of recovery in PCS patients. In particular, the obtained results indicate the activation of aerobic synthesis of adenosine triphosphate in mitochondria by hydrogen therapy, which correlates well with the decrease in the blood lactate level detected by laboratory studies. At the same time, this therapy can inhibit pro-inflammatory activity, negatively affecting the coagulation and signaling pathways of integrins and apoptosis, and, in addition, activate protective pathways, tricarboxylic acid cycle, FAS signaling, and purine metabolism, which may be essential for effective recovery after COVID-19.

Objectives. Evaluation of changes in the viral activity of influenza A/WSN/33 after complex knockdown of combinations of cellular genes FLT4, Nup98 and Nup205 in human lung cell culture A549. Methods. The work was carried out using the equipment of the Center for Collective Use of the I. Mechnikov Research Institute of Vaccines and Sera, Russia. The authors performed transfection of combinations of small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) complexes that cause simultaneous disruption of the expression of cellular genes FLT4, Nup98, and Nup205. Within three days from the moment of transfection and infection, the supernatant fluid and cell lysate were taken for subsequent viral reproduction intensity determination using the titration method for cytopathic action. The dynamics of changes in the concentration of viral ribonucleic acid (vRNA) was determined by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-PCR). The nonparametric Mann–Whitney test was used to calculate statistically significant differences between groups.Results. Using all of the combinations of siRNA complexes, cell viability did not decrease below the threshold level of 70%. In cells treated with complex FLT4.2 + Nup98.1 + Nup205 at the multiplicity of infection (MOI) equal to 0.1, a significant decrease in viral reproduction by 1.5 lg was noted on the first day in relation to nonspecific and viral controls. The use of siRNA complexes at MOI 0.01 resulted in a more pronounced antiviral effect. The viral titer in cells treated with siRNA complexes FLT4.2 + Nup98.1 and Nup98.1 + Nup205 decreased by 1.5 lg on the first day. In cells treated with complexes FLT4.2 + Nup205 and FLT4.2 + Nup98.1 + Nup205, it decreased by 1.8 and 2.0 lg on the first day and by 1.8 and 2.5 lg on the second day, respectively, in relation to nonspecific and viral controls. When conducting real-time RT-PCR, a significant decrease in the concentration of vRNA was noted. At MOI 0.1, a 295, 55, and 63-fold decrease in the viral load was observed with the use of siRNA complexes FLT4.2 + Nup98.1, Nup98.1 + Nup205, and FLT4.2 + Nup98.1 + Nup205, respectively. On the second day, a decrease in vRNA was also observed in cells treated with complex A. A 415-fold decrease in vRNA on the third day was noted in cells treated with complex FLT4.2 + Nup205. At MOI 0.01, the concentration of vRNA decreased 9.5 times when using complex B relative to nonspecific and viral control.Conclusions. The study showed a pronounced antiviral effect of siRNA combinations while simultaneously suppressing the activity of cellular genes (FLT4, Nup98, and Nup205), whose expression products are playing important role in the viral reproduction process, and obtained original designs of siRNA complexes. The results obtained are of great importance for the creation of emergence prophylactic and therapeutic drugs, whose action is based on the mechanism of RNA interference.

Introduction. The immunopathogenesis of the novel coronavirus infection COVID-19 is usually associated with the development of imbalance in the immune response to its causative agent, SARS-CoV-2 virus (Coronaviridae: Coronavirinae: Betacoronavirus: Sarbecovirus). This is manifested, in particular, by interferons’ (IFNs) deficiency at the beginning of the disease followed by hyperproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The virus causes a decrease in IFN types I (α/β) and III (λ) levels; changes in IFN type II (γ) are less studied. In this regard, it is relevant to assess the functional bioactive IFN (interferon status) in COVID-19. The aim of the study was to assess the antiviral potential of the body by testing the biologically active IFNs in COVID-19. Material and methods. We used biological serum samples of COVID-19 patients taken in the acute phase (110 patients on the 1–5 days of the disease) and during rehabilitation (47 patients during 1–3 months after the disease onset). Assessment of interferon status was performed according to the technique developed by the authors and described earlier. Results. The IFN status of patients with COVID-19 in the acute period and in the phase of post-infection rehabilitation was studied during the observation period. It was found that SARS-CoV-2 causes a pronounced inhibition of biological activity of IFN types I and II compared to the reference values by more than 20 and 7 times, respectively. During the post-COVID period, incomplete recovery of the IFN system activity was registered, which proceeded very slowly. No cases of reaching physiological indicators of interferon status were identified during the observation period. Conclusion. The obtained data on deficiency of the functional biologically active IFN confirm the hypothesis about the predominant role of impaired IFN production of different types in the immunopathogenesis of the novel coronavirus infection.

Introduction. Pathologies of the visual organ (keratitis, glaucoma, etc.) occupy a leading place among the causes of vision loss and blindness. According to the literature, the immunopathogenesis of bacterial keratitis is associated with the activation of macrophages and oxygen explosion. The role of these mechanisms in the pathogenesis of primary open-angle glaucoma is not fully understood. There are isolated studies in which the development of this pathology is associated with nitric oxide NO, which is produced by endothelial NO synthase (nos). However, despite numerous studies, the role of immunogenetics in the pathogenesis of glaucoma remains insufficiently researched. The aim of the study is to explore the association of T786C, C774T, Glu298Asp polymorphic markers of the eNOS gene with development of POAG in residents of the Perm Territory. Materials and methods. The study was performed using peripheral blood collected from 93 patients with POAG and 96 patients with cataracts. The real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed after the DNA extraction. The frequencies of alleles and genotypes in the study groups were measured using the chi-square (2 ) test and Fishers exact test. Results with p 0.05 were seen as statistically significant. The calculated odds ratio and the 95% confidence interval were used to quantify the association between POAG development in patients and the existence of an unfavorable polymorphic marker. Results. The C774T and Glu298Asp markers did not show any significant differences in the distribution of genotypes and alleles of the eNOS gene. Higher frequencies of the homozygous TT genotype; and lower frequencies of the C allele of T786C polymorphic locus of eNOS gene were detected in patients with POAG. Conclusion. Polymorphic markers of the eNOS gene can be seen as factors associated with the risk of POAG.

Introduction. Oncolytic virotherapy is one of the approaches in immunotherapy of solid brain tumors. Measles virus vaccine strains are prospective agents for the therapy of cancers such as neuroblastoma, mesothelioma, and glioblastoma multiforme. The hyperexpression of the CD46 and other receptors on the surface of malignant cells allows the measles virus to infect and lyse the tumor, thus inducing an immune response. However, widespread immunization of the population and the resistance of neoplasms to oncolysis present difficulties in clinical practice.Text. This review covers approaches to modifying the measles virus genome in order to increase specificity of virotherapy, overcome existing immunity, and enhance the oncolytic effect. It was shown that expression of proinflammatory cytokines on viral particles leads to tumor regression in mice and triggers a T-cell response. Several approaches have been used to overcome virus-neutralizing antibodies: shielding viral particles, using host cells, and altering the epitope of the protein that enables entry of the virus into the cell. Furthermore, the insertion of reporter genes allows the infection of target cells to be monitored in vivo. A combination with the latest immunotherapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, demonstrates synergistic effects, which suggests the successful use of combined approaches in the therapy of refractory tumors.Conclusion. Measles virus attenuated strains appear to be an easy-to-modify and reliable platform for the therapy of solid brain tumors.

Relevance. In the Russian Federation, in recent decades, there has been a decrease in the incidence of hepatitis A (HA), at the same time, not only sporadic morbidity is registered, but also an outbreak. A decrease in the circulation of the HA virus affected the increase in the number of people without antibodies to the virus, which led to a shift in the incidence to older age groups and an increase in more severe forms of the disease. Hepatitis E (HE) is quite widespread in the world, and its specific weight in the structure of acute viral hepatitis in some countries reaches 50.0%. HE has been registered in the Russian Federation only since 2013. only in certain territories, and the incidence rates are very low. In all likelihood, this indicates a hidden circulation of the HE virus in the Russian Federation. To understand the current epidemiological situation in the incidence of HA and HE, it is necessary to understand the current trends in the epidemic process of these infections. The purpose of this work was to compile an epidemiological characteristic of the incidence of hepatitis A and E in the population of the Russian Federation at the present stage for the formation of proposals for improving the system of preventive and anti-epidemic measures.Materials and methods. To achieve this goal, a retrospective epidemiological analysis of the incidence of viral hepatitis A and E in the territory of the Russian Federation, including in federal districts, was carried out. The materials for the study were the forms of official statistical observation No. 2, 5, 6 and 23, as well as state reports «On the state of sanitary and epidemiological well-being» in the Russian Federation region for 2011–2020.Results. The conducted research allows us to compare the epidemic process of hepatitis A and E in the Russian Federation with other regions of the world. The intensity of the epidemic process of HA has significantly decreased, at the same time, there is an uneven distribution of morbidity in various federal districts. In the age structure of patients with HA, the highest incidence rates are observed among the child population and adolescents. The frequency of HA infection and a decrease in the specific weight in the structure of acute viral hepatitis were revealed. Although the territory of the Russian Federation is not endemic for hepatitis E, this disease has taken root completely. The incidence of hepatitis E in the Russian Federation is at a sporadic level. The highest incidence of HE in the Russian Federation was observed among the adult population aged 18 years and older. The issue of carrying out preventive measures, including vaccination, remains relevant.Conclusion. On the territory of the Russian Federation, there is currently a steady trend of reducing the incidence of hepatitis A. However, children under the age of 14, adolescents, as well as nonimmune adults, among whom cases of diseases are registered, are still at risk. This requires adjusting the methods of preventing this infection, which is possible not only by improving sanitary and communal improvements, but also by vaccination within the national vaccination calendar, and not only for epidemic indications. The true incidence of HE today is obviously much higher than that recorded in official statistical forms, and this requires the introduction into clinical practice (especially at the polyclinic level) of modern available tests for detecting markers of the hepatitis E virus when examining patients with symptoms of liver damage, as well as the development of effective prevention methods.

COVID-19 has killed more than 4 million people to date and is the most significant global health problem. The first recorded case of COVID-19 had been noted in Wuhan, China in December 2019, and already on March 11, 2020, World Health Organization declared a pandemic due to the rapid spread of this infection. In addition to the damage to the respiratory system, SARS-CoV-2 is capable of causing severe complications that can affect almost all organ systems. Due to the insufficient effectiveness of the COVID-19 therapy, there is an urgent need to develop effective specific medicines. Among the known approaches to the creation of antiviral drugs, a very promising direction is the development of drugs whose action is mediated by the mechanism of RNA interference (RNAi). A small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecule suppresses the expression of a target gene in this regulatory pathway. The phenomenon of RNAi makes it possible to quickly create a whole series of highly effective antiviral drugs, if the matrix RNA (mRNA) sequence of the target viral protein is known. This review examines the possibility of clinical application of siRNAs aimed at suppressing reproduction of the SARS-CoV-2, taking into account the experience of similar studies using SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV infection models. It is important to remember that the effectiveness of siRNA molecules targeting viral genes may decrease due to the formation of viral resistance. In this regard, the design of siRNAs targeting the cellular factors necessary for the reproduction of SARS-CoV-2 deserves special attention.

Introduction. The ability of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies to neutralize the virus is the primary indicator of their specific activity. The test for virus neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) is much needed in different biomedical studies.The aim of the study is to find optimum conditions for microscopic and spectrophotometric detection of SARSCoV-2 NAbs by inhibition of cytopathic effect (CPE) in cell cultures.Materials and methods. Blood sera collected from COVID-19 convalescent patients and healthy individuals (n = 96) were tested using the ELISA method. The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, Dubrovka strain (GenBank accession no. MW514307.1) was grown in culture medium of Vero cell line CCL-81 (ATCC). Real-time RT-PCR, ELISA, and Sanger sequencing were used for detection of the virus. The results of the neutralization test (NT) were assessed through the microscopic examination for CPE and by the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay.Results. SARS-CoV-2 was isolated from a COVID-19 patient and adapted to grow in cell culture. At a low dose of infection (MOI = 0.00001), the virus caused a pronounced CPE with the cell viability less than 3%, thus making it possible to assess NT results by CPE inhibition. The NT and ELISA-based comparative study of sera showed positive correlation between virus NAb titers and Nab titers to S-protein RBD (Spearman’s r = 0.714; p < 0.001). The results of NAbs microscopic and spectrophotometric detection (the MTT assay) also demonstrated positive correlation (Spearman’s r = 0.963; p < 0.05).Conclusion. The SARS-CoV-2 virus adapted to Vero cell culture served to develop a NAb titer assessment system, which can be used both in microscopic studies and for an MTT assay in spectrophotometric studies. The MTT assay provides automated reading of NT results, optimizes the statistical analysis of the obtained data, and minimizes subjectivity in assessment of results. Being a vital dye, MTT penetrates only viable cells, thus contributing to the reliability of the obtained results compared to other dyes.

IgA is an important component of the mucosal system of the body. It limits penetration of pathogens into the bloodstream. Inflammatory diseases such as Crohn disease and colitis may be associated with disorders of IgA synthesis. Both B1 and B2 cells are a source of IgA in the intestines. Special attention is paid to B1 cells, which are able to respond to T-independent type 2 antigens and produce natural antibodies. B1 cells produce about 50% of the intestinal IgA including specific antibodies to the components of microorganisms contained in the gastrointestinal tract. The mechanism of IgA formation in the T-independent way is not investigated in details. It was suggested that the γδТ-cells promote switching to IgA synthesis by B1 cells. This assumption may be supported by their co-localization with B1 lymphocytes in the intestinal mucosa, as well as participation, along with B1 cells, in formation of the first-line defense against the pathogens. In addition, the both lymphocyte subpopulations evolve during initial ontogenesis, earlier than “classic” В2 and αβT cells. Therefore, it was suggested that γδT lymphocytes may be involved into the processes of induction and/or regulation of IgM and IgA production by B1 cells in response to TH2 antigens.In the present study, we have shown the effect of γδT cells upon generation of IgM- and IgA-forming B1 cells in response to α-1,3-dextran in vitro. We also studied the dynamics of the mRNA expression for IgM- and IgA-heavy chains by the B1 cells at different terms of in vitro culture.It was found that, during co-cultivation of B1 cells with 20% γδT lymphocytes, there is no increase in the number of dextran-specific IgM-producing cells. The B1 cells exhibited an increase of IgM heavy chain mRNA expression in response to dextran but not in co-cultures. Expression of mRNA for IgM heavy chains in co-cultures was decreased compared to non-treated B-cell cultures. Contrary to the earlier assumption, a presence of γδT lymphocytes in culture did not enhance the formation of IgA producents. The obtained data suggest regulatory properties of the γδТ lymphocytes during the B1 cells response to T-independent antigens.

Introduction. Pneumonia often occurs secondary to influenza infection and accounts for a large proportion of the morbidity and mortality associated with seasonal and pandemic influenza outbreaks. We previously have shown that vaccination with Virus-like particles (VLPs) containing hemagglutinin (HA) of influenza virus reduces mortality caused by bacterial infections after an influenza infections in mice.The aim of this work is to study whether this protective effect may be potentiated by supplementing the HA preparation with the influenza neuraminidase (NA).Materials and methods. We studied the effect of Gag-VLPs with the influenza HA or NA from А/PR/8/34 alone or in combination, in a lethal BALB/c mouse model of S. aureus infection after vaccine-matched or mismatched influenza virus challenge.Results. A cocktail of HA-Gag and NA-Gag-VLPs fully protected from weight loss, mortality and viral replication and significantly reduced the bacterial burden in the lungs of А/PR/8/34 infected animals. Immunization with this cocktail HA-Gag-VLPs 100 ng + NA-Gag-VLPs 20 ng also protected 60% of animals from mortality associated with secondary bacterial S. aureus infection following a heterologous H1N1 influenza virus challenge, and led to the significant protection from weight loss and pulmonary pathogen replication even in the absence of HA-inhibition and NA-inhibition antibodies.Conclusion. Our results indicate that influenza vaccination may improve the outcome of a secondary bacterial pneumonia induced by S. aureus after influenza even when the virus is antigenically different from the vaccine strain. At the same time, in our model, the significance of the immunity to influenza virus HA was prevalent.

Influenza is a worldwide public health problem. Annually, this infection affects up to 15% of the world population; and about half a million people die from this disease every year. Moreover, influenza A and B viruses tend to garner most of the attention, as these types are a major cause of the epidemics and pandemics. Although the influenza virus primarily affects the respiratory tract, it may also affect the cardiovascular and central nervous systems. Several antiviral drugs, that target various stages of viral reproduction, have been considered effective for the treatment and prevention of influenza, but some virus strains become resistant to these medications. Thus, new strategies and techniques should be developed to overcome the antiviral drug resistance. Recent studies suggest that new drugs based on RNA interference (RNAi) appear to be a promising therapeutic approach that regulates the activity of viral or cellular genes. As it is known, the RNAi is a eukaryotic gene regulatory mechanism that can be triggered by a foreign double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and results in the cleavage of the target messenger RNA (mRNA). This review discusses the prospects, advantages, and disadvantages of using RNAi in carrying out a specific treatment for influenza infection. However, some viruses confer resistance to small interfering RNAs (siRNA) targeting viral genes. This problem can significantly reduce the effectiveness of RNAi. Therefore, applying siRNAs targeting host cell factors required for influenza virus reproduction can be a way to overcome the antiviral drug resistance.

Pathogenesis of ischemic stroke is actively involved in the system of innate immunity. Under conditions of cerebral ischemia, a number of biologically active substances are released that interact with innate immunity receptors, in particular TLR2 and TLR4, which exacerbate inflammation in brain tissue. Identification of predictor markers at the level of the innate immunity system may foresee the clinical course of ischemic stroke and ensure timely treatment. Our objective was to study expression of TLR2 and TLR4 receptors in peripheral blood leukocytes in patients with ischemic stroke in the dynamics of the disease. 27 people were included in the study. The main group consisted of patients with ischemic stroke of varying severity (n = 19). Patients of the main group were divided into two subgroups: with an NIHSS index value of < 10 (n = 10) and > 10 (n = 9). The control group included healthy donors with no history of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases (n = 8). Peripheral blood leukocytes were used as the test material. To determine expression of the TLR2 and TLR4 genes, RT-PCR in real time was used. Surface expression of TLRs was determined by flow cytometry. A study of the TLR2 and TLR4 gene expression showed that on the 1st, 3rd and 7th day post-stroke, the TLR4 gene expression in patients was significantly increased, when compared to the control group (p < 0.01), whereas TLR2 gene expression on the 3rd day of the disease was not statistically different from the control group. A study of surface expression of receptors showed that the average TLR2 fluorescence intensity on the patients’ peripheral blood monocytes was significantly increased on the 1st and 3rd day of disease when compared to the control group. The surface expression of TLR4 on monocytes has a statistically significant increase only on day 7. Assessment of surface expression of TLRs in subgroups with different severity values by NIHSS showed that patients with a NIHSS index > 10 had a significantly higher level of surface of TLR2 expression over the observation period, while the largest difference in TLR4 expression in the subgroups was observed on the 1st day of the disease (p < 0.05). Patients with ischemic stroke showed an increase in TLR2 and TLR4 expression at the gene and protein level, compared to healthy donors. These indices can be considered possible predictors for clinical prognosis of ischemic stroke.

Relevance.The urgency of the problem of chickenpox is determined by the high incidence, severe complications and the possibility of deaths.The aim of the work is to analyze the peculiarities of the epidemiology of chickenpox in a single territory located in the immediate vicinity of a large metropolis.Materials and methods. A retrospective epidemiological analysis was carried out using official statistics.Results and discussion. It is established that in the study area in 2009–2018 there was a unfavorable epidemic situation for chickenpox. The most vulnerable groups in terms of morbidity are young children, especially those who attend children's organized institutions. In recent years, there has been a trend of increasing morbidity among the adult population. Preventive measures do not have a significant impact on reducing the incidence of chickenpox.Conclusions. The analysis showed the high relevance of the organization of a reliable system of prevention of chickenpox, which should be based on the development and implementation in the practice of health care of domestic vaccine against this infection.

Secondary bacterial infections after influenza virus infection further increase morbidity and mortality due to influenza. Despite of seasonal influenza vaccination, antiviral drugs and antibiotics are widely used in viral/bacterial pneumonia therapy. Therefore, further comprehensive study of the infection pathogenesis is relevant. Murine models for influenza virus infection were reproduced with different virus subtypes A/California/04/2009MA (pandemic H1N1 2009), A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1) and A/Aichi/2/69 (H3N2), Anadyr/177/2009 (H1N1) and for post-influenza bacterial pneumonia caused by the Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus. After the infection occurs, its pathogenic features were detected by daily monitoring the mortality (survival) and morbidity rate (body weight loss) and, in addition, viral pathogenesis also was evaluated by assessing virus replication (viral titer) and humoral immune responses (production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines) in respiratory tract of infected mice including during antiviral (oseltamivir) and antibacterial (cefuroxime) therapy. Mortality and virus titer in the infected mice did not differ significantly between the groups of different influenza A virus subtypes. However, production of cytokines (IL-10, IFNg, TNFa) and weight gain proved to be different. Mortality of the mice reached 100% after secondary bacterial infection, whereas IFNg and TNFa levels in mice lung increased reached maximal values in the treated groups. Viral subtype A/California/04/2009MA of influenza A was most pathogenic in mouse model of secondary bacterial pneumonia. Antiviral and antibacterial treatment caused a decrease in mortality, reduced viral titers in lungs, and retain body weight gain of mice. According to these points, the treatment groups did not significantly differ from each other. At the same time, it should be noted that the cytokine production significantly decreased in the treated groups, and IL-10 and IFNg levels in lungs were different, that may be due to therapeutic mechanisms of these drugs. Thus, antiviral therapy for influenza infection and combination therapy for viralbacterial pneumonia can be an effective tool to reduce mortality of influenza.

Introduction. Influenza is a severe viral disease. The most common post-influenza complication is pneumonia. Earlier, we developed an experimental mouse model of viralbacterial pneumonia induced by successive infection with influenza virus and St. aureus, in which lethal synergy between pathogens observed in epidemiological observations was detected.Aim. To study the effect of the administration of intranasal vaccines, followed by infection with St. pneumoniae on the development and completion of the disease.Materials and methods. The animals were immunized intranasal with a strain of attenuated cold-adapted live influenza vaccine A/17/California/2009/38 (H1N1)pdm09 (LAIV) and a recombinant vaccine based on virus-like particles HA(Puerto Rico/8/34)- Gag (VLPs). Control groups of animals were infected with virulent strains of influenza virus A/ California/04/2009 (H1N1)pdm09 or A/Puerto Rico /8/34 (H1N1). On the fifth day after intranasal immunization with the vaccine preparations and infection with pathogenic strains, animals were subjected to bacterial infection with a strain of St. pneumoniae. The presence of synergism of vaccine or viral agent with bacterial infection was assessed by survival and weight loss of animals, virus titer and density of bacteria in nasopharyngeal washes and lungs.Results. It was shown that immunization with vaccine preparations did not lead to increased sensitivity of mice to bacterial infection. Elimination of bacteria from the lungs and nasopharynx in groups immunized with vaccine preparations corresponded to the dynamics in the group of animals immunized by PBS.Discussion. The results obtained indicate the safety of intranasal immunization with LAIV A/17/California/2009/38 (H1N1)pdm09 and virus-like particles HA (Puerto Rico/8/34)- Gag (VLPs) in terms of enhancing secondary bacterial superinfection caused by St. pneumoniae.Conclusion. The studied vaccines successfully blocked infections in the lower respiratory tract.

The aim of the work was to study the activity of echinochrome A, a naphthoquinoid pigment from sea urchins, and its antioxidant composition against herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in vitro and in vivo.Materials and methods. Strain HSV-2 (G ATCC VR-734) was grown in Vero cells. The cytotoxic and anti-HSV-2 activity of the compounds was assessed in vitro by the cell viability and by cytopathic effect inhibition of virus using MTT test. The efficacy of compounds in mice model of vaginitis caused by HSV-2 was determined by the average lifetime, body weight and viral load changes.Results and discussion. The antioxidant composition (echinochrome A, ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol (5:5:1)), showed a higher antiviral efficacy than echinochrome A alone. Oral administration of the antioxidant composition protected 90% of the infected mice against death and reduced vaginal viral loads. The antiviral activity of echinochrome A and the antioxidant composition is probably due to the virus-inhibiting activity of the compounds and their antioxidant properties.Conclusion. The results obtained allow considering the tested compounds as promising agents with antiviral properties.

Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) is a highly contagious viral agent of the Herpesviridae family, which has a strict species specificity, and causes two different diseases — chickenpox, mainly in children, and herpes zoster — more often in the elderly. Obtaining additional information about the life cycle of the virus, its biology, pathogenetic features of the complications caused by it, will contribute to the emergence of more advanced methods of diagnosis and prevention, the development of new experimental approaches that allow to study the innate and adaptive mechanisms of immune protection in VZV-infection.

The aim of this study was to examine in vitro the antioxidant and antiviral activity of echinochrome A and echinochrome-based antioxidant composition against tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Materials and methods. TBEV (Dal’negorsk strain, Far Eastern subtype) grown in PK cells, and HSV-1 (VR3 strain) in Vero cells. The antioxidant activity of the compounds was determined using the linetol peroxide oxidation model. The cytotoxicity and antiviral activity of the compounds were assessed by cell viability (PK- and Vero cells) and by cytopathic effect inhibition of viruses (TBEV and HSV-1) using the MTT test. Results. The antioxidant composition, which is a mixture of echinochrome A, ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol (5: 5: 1), showed a higher antioxidant and antiviral efficacy than echinochrome A. The antiviral mechanisms on of echinochrome A and antioxidant composition are caused by direct inactivation of TBEV and HSV-1 viruses and inhibition of virus penetration into cells. Conclusion. The results obtained allow considering the echinochrome A and the composition of antioxidants on its basis as the promising agents of a broad-spectrum antiviral activity.

Аim. A study of CXCL12 effect on the migration of mononuclear cells isolated from healthy patients, from patients with myelomonoblastic leukemia before and after chemotherapy and the study of CCR4, EGFR and CXCL12 genes expression after exposure to CXCL12. Materials and methods. The chemotaxis of mononuclear cells (MNCs) of healthy donors and patients with myelomonoblastic leukemia was studied in a Boyden chamber, followed by isolation of RNA, reverse transcription and PCR-RV. Results. A significant increase in myelomonoblasic cell chemotaxis towards CXCL12 after chemotherapy was demonstrated, as well as a decrease in the expression of this chemokine in tumor cells before chemotherapy after exposure to CXCL12. Сonclusion. Presumably, the tumor cells themselves produce CXCL12 in large amounts, which is necessary for the disturbance of intercellular interactions and further intravasation, whose production may decrease with external stimulation by the same chemokine. CXCL12 also helps to increase the expression level of EGFR and CCR4, which leads to increased tumor proliferation and migration of tumor cells.

Aim. The study of the mechanisms of atopic disease formation and a model of immunopathogenesis of the atopic diseases.Methods. Determination of surface lymphocytes receptors in peripheral blood of atopic bronchial asthma and atopic dermatitis patients with the help of monoclonal antibodies using the indirect immunofluorescence method. Expression of genes encoding TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 receptors of airborne epithelial cells by real-time polymerase chain reaction, as well as determination of cytokine TSLP, IL-33, IL-4 and TGFβ (eBioscience) in airway flushes in atopic asthma patients and healthy people.Results. During the exacerbation of atopic diseases in peripheral blood lymphocytes, an intensive activation process develops with impaired lymphocytes activating apoptosis aimed at the formation of plasma cells capable of developing intensive IgE synthesis. To search for signals that could explain the mechanism of rearrangement of the B-cell part of the immune system during atopy, the epithelium cells of the airways were examined in a group of patients with atopic asthma and found an increase in gene expression coding for TLR2, TLR4, TLR9 in 6, 3 and 2.5 times respectively. Along with increased expression of TLRs genes in patients with bronchial asthma, an increased content of TSLP and IL-33 cytokines secreted by epithelial cells of the airways was detected. These cytokines have an immunoregulatory action - their nearby antigen presenting functions format the Th2 type of immune response, promote the production of cytokines (IL-4, IL-9, IL-13) and cause the development of an allergic type of inflammation.Conclusion. We suppose that the main link in pathogenesis is a disruption of the interaction of TLRs with the corresponding ligands caused by spontaneous dimerization of TLRs under the malonic dialdehyde influence. The intake of slowly metabolized dimers of TLRs into epithelial cells is a signal for genome activation, which leads to the synthesis of allergic cytokines IL-33 and TSLP. Thus, the main immunopathogenesis pathway of atopic diseases is the pathological functional interaction between epithelial cells and peripheral blood B-lymphocytes.

The problem of studying cardiovascular diseases (CVD) for a long time remains extremely important, and, therefore, there are many works that offer new ways to diagnose and treat this group of diseases. Great opportunities are provided by the study of molecular interactions for a more accurate understanding of the pathogenesis of cardiovascular pathology. Many studies have recently been devoted to finding potential markers of CVD risk with the aim of more accurate and early diagnosis. In this review we analyze the latest literature data dedicated to the role of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in cardiovascular pathology. HSP70 take part in such processes as arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease, and atherosclerosis. In atherogenesis, serum heat shock proteins 70 play a major role. It has been proven that in patients with a high concentration of heat shock protein molecules circulating in the blood, increased values of the carotid intima-media complex were observed. The important role of antibodies to circulating HSP70 is noted. Found an association of high levels of these antibodies with atherosclerosis in patients with arterial hypertension in history, with myocardial infarction. Low levels of anti-HSP70 antibodies are observed in patients with acute coronary syndrome. This proves the complexity of the mechanism and the dual role of antibodies against serum heat shock proteins 70. Thus, antibodies against heat shock proteins 70 can be assessed as a protective marker, and as a predictor, which requires further study, and the HSP70 molecules themselves can somehow to participate in the development of cardiovascular pathologies. Much attention is paid to the role of the inflammatory process and the mechanisms of innate immunity in CVD. As it is currently believed that Danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are involved in the pathogenesis of these pathologies in the context of a “hazard/damage” model. According to this model, the triggering factor is stress, leading to the release of DAMPs and their binding to innate immunity receptors - Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Activation of TLRs triggers the signaling cascade in the cell leading to the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This contributes to the development of inflammation, which can provoke the emergence of new pathological processes in the body and worsen the course of existing diseases. The identification of new potential markers and knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of the pathogenesis of CVD can play an important role in the development of a new individual approach to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Human herpes virus type 6 (HHV-6) is the etiological agent of plenty diseases. The form of the developing pathology depends on the localization of the virus in T-lymphocytes and on virus type: HHV-6A or HHV-6B, but identification of the type is possible by nucleotide sequence only. In Russia, researching on the typing of HHV-6 are conducted in Moscow and St. Petersburg mainly, but results is discordant. Also the prevalence of HHV-6A and HHV-6B among various population groups is of particular interest.

Preterm birth is an important issue in the current obstetrics as it is associated with perinatal morbidity and mortality. Today, most studies are aimed at understanding of the pathogenesis of preterm delivery. The known data on cytokine gene polymorphism indicate that in women with preterm birth, the presence of pro-inflammatory dominant alleles is typical. This may lead to increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the utero-placental complex and may also initiate preterm delivery. At present, studies are under way to identify genes that determine the duration of the gestation period. A better understanding of the preterm birth pathogenesis is expected to help prevent this unfortunate outcome and decrease perinatal morbidity and mortality.

At the present time, the role of innate immunity in pathogenesis of bronchial asthma (BA) is actively studied, in particular, significance of TLRs and cytokines. The study included 42 patients with severe bronchial asthma (from 3 to 12 years old), and 67 healthy children at the same age. Expression of TLR2, TLR4, and TLR9 genes was evaluated by PCR-RT from the scrapings of nasal mucosa; cytokines (IL-33, TSLP, IL-4, TGF-β1 and IL-28B) were assayed in nasal swabs by ELISA technique. The main results were as follows: an increased gene expression of TLR2, TLR4, TLR9 genes was revealed in the nasal mucosa scraps from the patients with bronchial asthma as compared to healthy children. We have also measured the contents of important cytokines secreted by the respiratory epithelium in the course of TLRs activation. The study of IL-33, TSLP, IL-4 in nasal samples revealed significantly increased concentrations of these cytokines in the patients with severe BA against the control group. A study of TGF-βlevels in nasal cavity swabs revealed a significant decrease of this regulatory cytokine in the group of pediatric patients with asthma. Worth of note, evaluation of antiviral IL-28B cytokine in the group of patients with severe BA showed a significant downward trend, in comparison to the control indexes. Hence, one may conclude on some disturbances of local innate immunity system in the patients with severe BA which manifest as hyperexpression of TLRs genes, increased production of proinflammatory and epithelial cytokines, decreased production of antiviral IL-28B cytokine, and TGF-β1.

The aim of this work was to study features of gene expression TLR2, TLR4, and TLR9 in the course of acute respiratory infection, depending on the time elapsing since the contamination, and dose of infection. The studies of in vivo models of acute respiratory infections caused by Gram-negative Klebsiella pneumoniae showed that, at infection dose of 104 CFU/ml, the TLR4 gene expression levels in epithelium of upper respiratory tract at 1, 3, 10 days were increased 30 times and more, complete elimination of the pathogen was observed at 3 days. At the dose of infection of 107 CFU/ml, persistence of the pathogen in upper respiratory tract was observed within a few days, accompanied by a significant increase in the level of TLR9 expression in epithelium of upper respiratory tract, and TLR4 levels in the lungs 1 day after infection, in parallel to elimination of the pathogen from the lower respiratory tract. Thus, the characteristic features of TLR4 and TLR9 gene expression in the upper respiratory tract may be considered a potential diagnostic and prognostic factors in evaluation of the course of acute respiratory infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae.

The theory of polyetiological tumorigenesis is one of the most important theories of carcinogenesis. A great place in this theory is given to the role of inflammatory component, which is implemented via the factors of innate immunity. I.e., toll-like receptors (TLRs), chemokines and their receptors are related to innate immunity. Activation of TLRs may lead to regress or progression of cancer process. It is known that TLR3, TLR5, TLR7, TLR9 have the greatest anti-tumor effect due to the dendritic cells (DCs)-mediated activation of type I T helpers, activation of M1-type macrophages and Treg inhibition. Stimulation of TLR2 and TLR4 exerts an activating effect upon the tumor, by the MyD88 hyperactivation and secretion of IL-6 and TNFα, but exact mechanisms are not fully understood. In addition to TLRs, chemokines and their receptors have a great influence on the cancer development. It is shown that CCL2, CCL4, CCL17, CCL22 and CXCL12, which are secreted by cancer microenviroment, activate chemotaxis of tumor cells. It is also known that the chemokines activate CXCR4 and CCR7 (expressed by tumor cells) thus leading to metastasis.It is shown that there is an association between some gene polymorphisms of TLRs’, chemokines and their receptors, and development of cancer.Thus, we may conclude that the role of TLRs and chemokines is important in oncogenesis. Further study of innate immunity factors influencing tumorigenesis are important for finding new approaches to cancer therapy and new potential vaccines against cancer.

Vaccines for many years act as one of the most effective and successfully used medicines. Vaccines obtained by traditional methods contain in their composition live, weakened or killed microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, etc.). Now more often, modern, split, subunit, recombinant, polyvalent and some other types of vaccines are being used. The addition of adjuvants to vaccines generally increases the immune response to their administration. It was established that the formation of postvaccinal immunity begins immediately after the introduction of the vaccine, by activating the factors of innate immunity in the interaction of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), in vaccines, with the pathogen-recognition receptors (PRRs) of the immunocompetent cells of the recipient. It is also shown that PRRs activators, including TOLL-like receptor agonists (TLRs) and poly (I:C) polynucleotide oligomers of inosine and cytidylic acids, have the ability to substantially increase the immunogenicity of vaccines, and attempts are being made to use them creation of new types of adjuvants. Defective interfering viral particles (D-particles, DIPs) are also classed as effective stimulants of innate immunity and can also be considered promising vaccine adjuvants.

Clinical picture of diseases caused by VZV in immunocompromised patients is often differed from healthy people and has no visible skin damage. Diagnostics in such cases is difficult but it is important to find out real reason of health deterioration for assignment the treatment. That explains usefulness of molecular methods in diagnostics of VZV-infection. So the goal of this study was checking out usefulness of diagnostics based on detection viral DNA in clinical samples by real-time PCR method. We used pools of peripheral blood samples from sick and healthy patients as clinical materials for analysis and Varilrix vaccine sample as a source of positive control viral DNA. Main methods used here were DNA extraction and real-time PCR in the version of TaqMan probes; amplification reactions were made in triplicates for each sample with standard deviation of threshold cycles less than 1.5%. Amplification results of clinical samples from patients were analyzed by comparison with the results from positive control viral DNA. Final resulting figures were slightly varied and dependent on selected for amplification VZV genome fragment (orf 29 or orf 38), and viral DNA had been detected in 48% of sick patients and only in 4% of practically healthy donors without zoster symptoms. Concluding, we approved the possibility of use real-time PCR as a molecular method for laboratory diagnostics VZV-infection including atypical and subclinical disease forms. One of the advantage of the method described is the possibility of DNA detection straight from blood samples (without extra purification steps such as preparation mononuclear cell fraction from blood samples), therefore this approach can accelerate and simplify diagnostic procedure.

The study for quantitation of TLR2, TLR4 and HBD-1 gene expression in urethral mucosal epithelium from women with chronic bacterial cystitis and healthy females. Materials and methods: RNA was extracted from the samples of urethral mucosa followed by RT-PCR. Results: increased expression of TLR2, TLR4 (respectively, 6.9-, 2.6-fold), along with 13.6-fold decrease in HBD-1 was revealed in women with chronic bacterial cystitis, as compared with appropriate parameters in normal women. Six months later, after combined therapy with autologous immunopeptide complex, TLR2, TLR4 и HBD1 expression levels proved to be near-normal in the patients, being similar to those in healthy females. Conclusion: Imbalanced expression of genes controlling innate immunity was revealed in urethral mucosa of the patients with chronic cystitis, thus increasing risk for urinary tract infections.

Aim. Study of mechanisms of attenuation of cold-adapted (ca) influenza virus strain A/ Krasnodar/101/35/59 (H2N2), associated with disruption of NS1 protein functions. Materials and methods. Study of interferonogenic activity of ca strain A/Krasnodar/101/35/59 (H2N2), its parent variant A/Krasnodar/101/59 (H2N2), virulent strain A/WSN/33 (H1N1) and a number of single gene and multiple gene reassortants between these strains, obtained using reverse genetics, was carried out. Study of dynamics of IFNp gene expression was carried out by using a methodical approach of RT-PCR in real time mode. Results. Inclusion of PB-1 gene of ca strain A/ Krasnodar/101/35/59 (H2N2) with reversion to wild type into genome composition of virulent strain А/WSN/33 (H1N1) does not result in a sharp change of interferonogenic activity of the reassortant. At the same time, similar inclusion of PB-1 gene of ca strain resulted in an incredible growth of interferonogenic activity of the reassortant. On the other hand, inclusion of NP-gene of wild type strain A/Krasnodar/101/59 (H2N2) into genome composition of the wild type strain А/WSN/33 did not differ by effect on interferonogenicity of the reassortant from inclusion of NP-gene of ca strain. Conclusion. Both constellations of genes of parent variants and mutations localized in these genes could affect formation of attenuation phenotype of reassortants. The data obtained allow to assume possible mechanisms of attenuation of ca strains, associated with disruption of NS gene function.

Chronic generalized periodontitis (CGP) is a disease of periodontium tissues supporting tooth induced by bacteria, that is characterized by the presence of processes of inflammation with destruction ofbone tissue. The knowledge of molecular mechanisms of CGP pathogenesis facilitates creation of the most effective methods of therapy of this disease. Bacterial infection is a primary factor in periodontitis etiology, however is not sufficient for its start and subsequent development. It is known, that bacterial factors induce a local inflammation reaction and activate the system of innate immunity through activation of Toll-like receptors (TLR), located on the surface of resident cells and leukocytes. Activation of these cells results in production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and recruitment of phagocytes and lymphocytes into the inflammation zone. In review we examined the known data regarding factors of immune protection of periodontium including cell populations and cytokines, as well as mechanisms of tissue destruction, that support the tooth. Perspectives of therapy are also discussed.

Specific perinatal infections make about 30% in causal structure of infant mortality. Among the respiratory diseases of perinatal period, pneumonias take a special place, due to higher frequency, severity, complications and adverse outcomes. The aim of this work was to study microflora and factors of innate immunity (TLR2, TLR4, HBD-1, HBD-2, TNFα and NF-kB) at the level of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract during intrauterine infection of fetus and perinatal pneumonia. Causal structure of ventilator-associated pneumonias at the intensive care unit represents a broad spectrum of pathogens with high resistance to antibiotics. Changes of immunological parameters (recognizing structures, i.e., TLR2, TLR4, HBD-1; HBD-2 defensins; proinflammatory TNFα cytokine and NF-kB transcription factor) in patients with intrauterine infections and pneumonia are ambiguous. Decreased expression of TLR2, TLR4 genes, along with increased of TNFα and NF-kB gene expression. These changes correlate with type of infectious pathogen, thus allowing us to assume that the pathogen, due to pathogenicity factors, may directly affect innate immunity mechanisms.

Aim. Search of association of polymorphisms in DEFВ1, IL-10, TNF-a and TLR2 genes with development of chronic generalized periodontitis in representatives of Ural region (Caucasian race). Materials and methods. 142 patients, that were split into 3 groups, took part in the study: a group of patients with periodontitis, a group with frequent inflammatory disease of upper respiratory tract and a comparison group - healthy donors. A study of polymorphic markers was carried out: DEFB1 (-44G/C), DEFB1 (-20A/G), IL-10 (-1082 A/G), TNF-a (-308 G/A), Arg753Gln and Arg677Trp using PCR in real time mode. Results. Association of infectious pathology of upper respiratory tract and development of periodontitis diseases with markers in DEFB1 (-44G/C) and Arg753Gln and Arg677Trp genes was determined. Significant differences in distribution of genotypes and alleles of genes IL-10 and TNF-a in the group of patients with periodontitis and comparison group were not detected. Conclusion. DEFB1 (-44G/C) polymorphism can be examined as a marker of periodontitis development risk.

Toll-like receptors (TLR) are involved into innate immune recognition of microorganisms, including pathogenic bacteria. The aim of this work is to assess relative levels of TLR2 and TLR9 expression in cervical epithelial cells of women with inflammatory diseases of pelvic organs. The total group of patients consisted of 47 persons, including 20 women with urogenital infections, and 27 women comprised a control group. Using real-time PCR, we identified the opportunistic pathogens and gene expression levels of TLR2, TLR9 in the cervix epithelial cells. It was shown that expression of TLR9 in the group with urogenital infections was 13.7-fold higher than in control group. We have revealed that a significant increase of TLR9 expression in the mucosal epithelium from cervical canal correlated with detection of infectious pathogens in the samples.