Emission and Migration of Nanoscale Particles during Osseointegration and Disintegration of Dental Implants in the Clinic and Experiment and the Influence on Cytokine Production.

The emission of nanoscale particles from the surfaces of dental implants leads to the cumulative effect of particle complexes in the bone bed and surrounding soft tissues. Aspects of particle migration with the possibility of their involvement in the development of pathological processes of systemic nature remain unexplored. The aim of this work was to study protein production during the interaction of immunocompetent cells with nanoscale metal particles obtained from the surfaces of dental implants in the supernatants. The ability to migrate nanoscale metal particles with possible involvement in the formation of pathological structures, in particular in the formation of gallstones, was also investigated. The following methods were used: microbiological studies, X-ray microtomography, X-ray fluorescence analysis, flow cytometry, electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and multiplex immunofluorescence analysis. For the first time, titanium nanoparticles in gallstones were identified by X-ray fluorescence analysis and electron microscopy with elemental mapping. The multiplex analysis method revealed that the physiological response of the immune system cells, in particular neutrophils, to nanosized metal particles significantly reduced TNF-a production both through direct interaction and through double lipopolysaccharide-induced signaling. For the first time, a significant decrease in TNF-a production was demonstrated when supernatants containing nanoscale metal particles were co-cultured with proinflammatory peritoneal exudate obtained from the peritoneum of the C57Bl/6J inbred mice line for one day.

Amorphous-Crystalline Calcium Phosphate Coating Promotes In Vitro Growth of Tumor-Derived Jurkat T Cells Activated by Anti-CD2/CD3/CD28 Antibodies.

A modern trend in traumatology, orthopedics, and implantology is the development of materials and coatings with an amorphous-crystalline structure that exhibits excellent biocopatibility. The structure and physico-chemical and biological properties of calcium phosphate (CaP) coatings deposited on Ti plates using the micro-arc oxidation (MAO) method under different voltages (200, 250, and 300 V) were studied. Amorphous, nanocrystalline, and microcrystalline statesof CaHPO4 and ß-Ca2P2O7 were observed in the coatings using TEM and XRD. The increase in MAO voltage resulted in augmentation of the surface roughness Ra from 2.5 to 6.5 µm, mass from 10 to 25 mg, thickness from 50 to 105 µm, and Ca/P ratio from 0.3 to 0.6. The electrical potential (EP) of the CaP coatings changed from -456 to -535 mV, while the zeta potential (ZP) decreased from -53 to -40 mV following an increase in the values of the MAO voltage. Numerous correlations of physical and chemical indices of CaP coatings were estimated. A decrease in the ZP magnitudes of CaP coatings deposited at 200-250 V was strongly associated with elevated hTERT expression in tumor-derived Jurkat T cells preliminarily activated with anti-CD2/CD3/CD28 antibodies and then contacted in vitro with CaP-coated samples for 14 days. In turn, in vitro survival of CD4+ subsets was enhanced, with proinflammatory cytokine secretion of activated Jurkat T cells. Thus, the applied MAO voltage allowed the regulation of the physicochemical properties of amorphous-crystalline CaP-coatings on Ti substrates to a certain extent. This method may be used as a technological mechanism to trigger the behavior of cells through contact with micro-arc CaP coatings. The possible role of negative ZP and Ca2+ as effectors of the biological effects of amorphous-crystalline CaP coatings is discussed. Micro-arc CaP coatings should be carefully tested to determine their suitability for use in patients with chronic lymphoid malignancies.

[IGG4-related diseases in endocrinology].

Immunoglobulin-G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a chronic immunomediated pathology of different organs of local or systemic nature, which has been established as a separate clinical entity in the early 2000s and is characterized by storiform fibroid inflammation of the affected tissues, their increase, and elevated serum immunoglobulin-G4 (IgG4) levels. The most common manifestations of the disease are major salivary and lacrimal gland enlargement, lymphadenopathy and type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP1), however, other organs may be also involved (the thyroid, eyes, meninges, heart, lungs, kidneys, aorta, upper airways, mesentery, etc.). The effectiveness of treatment of IgG4-RD, as well as other pathological conditions, is also determined by the timely diagnosis. However, the latter is complicated due to the variety of clinical manifestations and rather variable diagnostic criteria. It is necessary to constantly update the evidence-based knowledge and diagnostic algorithms within this pathology in order to overcome the difficulties, and involve immunologists, endocrinologists, pathologists and specialists in other spheres. This review provides information about the etiology, pathogenesis, and current methods of diagnosis and treatment of IgG4-related diseases, as well as examples of some manifestations of IgG4-RD that an endocrinologist may face in practice.

Method to evaluate the proliferation of activated lymphocytes in a three-dimensional collagen matrix.

It is well known that the enhancement of the cell-matrix interactions represents one of the early steps in the process of lymphocyte activation. However, the information regarding the role of these interactions in the late stages of lymphocyte activation (in particular, the proliferation) is still controversial. This is basically due to the absence of adequate experimental models. In the present work we carried out a step-by-step modification of a well-studied model of mitogen-stimulated lymphocyte activation, adjusting it to the conditions of a three-dimensional collagen matrix (3D-CM). All the changes added to the standard procedure in the process of this modification were rigorously controlled using various experimental models. The final version of the method includes the following steps: (i) 24-h lymphocyte (lymphocyte fraction from mouse spleen) preincubation with mitogens (Con A or LPS) with a subsequent cell wash (parameters being controlled: irreversible lymphocyte activation, independence of the proliferation from cell-cell interactions); (ii) transfer of the activated lymphocytes to (3)H-thymidine containing 3D-CM and incubation for 48 h (controlled parameters: distribution of the radioactive label within the 3D-CM and its biological accessibility to lymphocytes); (iii) degradation of the 3D-CM with bacterial collagenase and cell transfer onto glass fiber filters (controlled parameters: cell viability after cultivation in the 3D-CM and treatment with the collagenase). With this method we found that the proliferation of the Con A- and LPS-stimulated lymphocytes in 3D-CM was dramatically inhibited (by 66.5 +/- 14.9% and by 88.1 +/- 10.2%, respectively). The discovered inhibition of the lymphocyte proliferation was not a consequence of either the ineffectiveness of the mitogens, the disruption of the cell-cell interactions, an insufficient inclusion of the radioactive label into cells, or of a decreased cell viability.

Binding of alpha2-macroglobulin to collagen type I: modification of collagen matrix by alpha2-macroglobulin induces the enhancement of macrophage migration.

Alpha2-macroglobulin (a2M) secreted by tissue macrophages and fibroblasts functions in the environment of extracellular matrix macromolecules. We supposed that it may interact with these molecules and change the properties of extracellular matrix. Modified variant of ELISA was used to prove the direct binding of human a2M to collagen. Native and transformed by plasmin a2M, as well as plasmin, used as the control, were labeled by biotin. It has been found that the transformed, but not the native a2M form binds to type I collagen molecules: K(d)=(1.168 +/- 1.14) x 10(-11) M. The data obtained give a strong evidence of high power of the interaction between a2M and type I collagen: practically no reverse dissociation may be seen for such a binding. The modification of three-dimensional collagen matrix by binding to the transformed a2M resulted in the enhancement of migration of macrophages, carrying the receptors for a2M, but not splenocytes that lack for such receptors. Our results allow to suggest that a2M may be one of the components of extracellular matrix, and may change the properties of microenvironment for immunocompetent cells during the processes of inflammation, reparation and tumor invasion.

Alpha2-Macroglobulin Modulates Interactions between Lymphocytes and Fibroblasts.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of apha2-macroglobulin (alpha(2)M) on lymphocyte adhesion to fibroblasts. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from healthy donors and two fibroblast lines (human diploid embryo fibroblasts M-19 and mouse transformed fibroblasts L929) were used in the experiments. alpha(2)M treatment of fibroblast monolayer appeared to result in the enhancement of lymphocyte adhesion to fibroblasts. The number of attached lymphocytes was increased by 2-2.5 times. It should be noted that the effect of alpha(2)M didn't depend on the conformational molecule changes, since either native or methylamine or plasmin transformed alpha(2)M approximately at the same fashion increased the lymphocyte adhesion to both allogeneic and xenogeneic fibroblasts. B lymphocytes were predominant cells that were attached to fibroblast monolayer without alpha(2)M treatment. However the percentage of adherent T lymphocytes was increased substantially after the fibroblast monolayer treatment by alpha(2)M. Subpopulation analysis has shown that fibroblast pretreatment by alpha(2)M didn't result in a selective adhesion of CD4(+) or CD8(+) T lymphocytes, but increased the adhesiveness for both T lymphocyte subpopulations. The data obtained demonstrate that besides its participation in the processes of fibroblast adhesion alpha(2)M is capable to modify the contact interaction of these cells with lymphocytes that may have an influence on the functional consequences of this process.

Adhesion of Fibroblasts to Immobilized alpha(2)-Macroglobulin.

This study examines effects of alpha(2)-macroglobulin (alpha(2)M) on adhesion of fibroblasts. Native alpha(2)M and transformed form of alpha(2)M, alpha(2)M-plasmin, were bound to plastic. Adhesion of mouse L929 and human embryo M-19 fibroblasts to immobilized alpha(2)M was estimated under various conditions by counting adherent cells using videomicroscopy and computer-assisted image analysis. alpha(2)M-plasmin, bound to plastic, induced adhesion and spreading of mouse L929 and human M-19 fibroblasts. Neither native alpha(2)M nor plasmin alone did not induce fibroblast adhesion. The adhesion to alpha(2)M-plasmin was undetectable at 4 degrees C, as well as when sodium azide was added or divalent ions were removed. These findings provide novel information on alpha(2)M functions. On the basis of these observations we hypothesized that alpha(2)M, immobilized in the extracellular matrix, can participate in the regulation of microenvironment effects on the cells, and, in particular, influence on fibroblast adhesion.

Low-Molecular Collagen Peptides Have Different Effects on Peritoneal Macrophages and Neutrophils.

Two types of phagocytes - neutrophils and macrophages, are very important participants in inflammation. However, the roles played by these cells in the regulation of an inflammation are radically different. Neutrophils initiate and ensure the alteration phase. Macrophages, to the contrary, regulate the transition of an inflammation from alternative processes to reparative. During the early stages of an inflammation, under the effect of proteases and free radicals, destruction of collagen proteins occurs and a large number of low-molecular peptides are formed, the concentration of which changes as the inflammatory reaction develops. The object of this work was to study the effect of the total fraction of low-molecular type I collagen peptides on the key functions of neutrophils and macrophages. Under the action of the wide range of concentrations of the collagen peptides (1-1000 &mgr;g/ml), activation of the neutrophil migration into the three-dimensional collagen matrix, amplification of PMA-induced production of free radicals and reduction of apoptosis of those cells were observed. The action of collagen peptides on the functions of macrophages had the opposite effect, i.e. they caused inhibition of the macrophage migration and reduction of PMA-induced production of free radicals. Furthermore, at a concentration of 100 &mgr;g/ml the collagen peptides reliably reduced the apoptosis of macrophages. Thus, collagen peptides are potent regulators of an inflammation, promoting the successive development of its phases through regulation of the functional state of phagocytes.

Low Molecular Weight Collagen Peptides Affect Migration, Proliferation and Apoptosis of Mouse Spleen Lymphocytes.

As a consequence of inflammatory tissue degradation collagen proteolysis products may be accumulated in the altered tissue. In this connection, we elaborated a hydrolysis scheme to obtain low molecular weight collagen peptides analogous to those produced in vtiro. To elucidate a possible role of collagen peptides during inflammation their action on lymphocyte migration, proliferation and apoptosis was studied at a wide range of concentrations 1-1000 &mgr;g/ml. The observed effects of peptides were different in three concentration ranges - low (1-50 &mgr;g/ml), middle (50-250 &mgr;g/ml) and high (250-1000 &mgr;g/ml). At high concentrations collagen peptides inhibited lymphocyte migration into 3D collagen matrix, and proliferation, including both spontaneous and stimulated. The middle peptide range induced lymphocyte apoptosis and modulated proliferation. Similar to middle ones, low concentration of collagen peptides modulated lymphocyte proliferation and their effect was the most pronounced. The three concentration ranges may presumably fit different stages of inflammation, since collagen degradation is associated with intensity of tissue alteration. Hence, collagen peptides may control lymphocyte functioning at different inflammation stages. Being naturally produced due to inflammatory tissue degradation, collagen peptides may be considered as complex inflammatory regulator like other traditionally discussed mediators (cytokines, chemokines, lipid mediators, etc.).

CD Antigens: Review of Data Obtained by April' 98.

CD nomenclature may be considered as chronologically set up list of elucidated molecules with each molecule number characterized by the time when it was discovered and thus by the advances in immunology. The Nomenclature Committee of World Health Organization (WHO) and International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS) have a specialized classification department - Subcommittee on CD Nomenclature. Registration and indexing of the particular CD number to the selected clusters is carried out at International Workshops on Human Differentiation Antigens. The last 6th International Workshop was held in 1996, Kobe, Japan. In the present review we force to briefly characterize all already elucidated CD molecules that is given in a form of multicomponent table. The table partly created by us was based on the data of the last International Workshop and literature data covering the 1997-1998 period. As a commentary to the CD nomenclature table we shall try to describe structure and functions of the main families and domains, to which the majority of known CD molecules may be attributed.