[Influence of siRNA complexes on the reproduction of influenza A virus (Orthomyxoviridae: Alphainfluenzavirus) in vivo].

INTRODUCTION: Influenza is one of the most pressing global health problems. Despite the wide range of available anti-influenza drugs, the viral drug resistance is an increasing concern and requires the search for new approaches to overcome it. A promising solution is the development of drugs with action that is based on the inhibition of the activity of cellular genes through RNA interference. AIM: Evaluation in vivo of the preventive potential of miRNAs directed to the cellular genes FLT4, Nup98 and Nup205 against influenza infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The A/California/7/09 strain of influenza virus (H1N1) and BALB/c mice were used in the study. The administration of siRNA and experimental infection of animals were performed intranasally. The results of the experiment were analyzed using molecular genetic and virological methods. RESULTS: The use of siRNA complexes Nup98.1 and Nup205.1 led to a significant decrease in viral reproduction and concentration of viral RNA on the 3rd day after infection. When two siRNA complexes (Nup98.1 and Nup205.1) were administered simultaneously, a significant decrease in viral titer and concentration of viral RNA was also noted compared with the control groups. CONCLUSIONS: The use of siRNAs in vivo can lead to an antiviral effect when the activity of single or several cellular genes is suppressed. The results indicate that the use of siRNAs targeting the cellular genes whose expression products are involved in viral reproduction is one of the promising methods for the prevention and treatment of not only influenza, but also other respiratory infections.

Evaluation of Epigenetic Age Based on DNA Methylation Analysis of Several CpG Sites in Ukrainian Population.

Epigenetic clocks are the models, which use CpG methylation levels for the age prediction of an organism. Although there were several epigenetic clocks developed there is a demand for development and evaluation of the relatively accurate and sensitive epigenetic clocks that can be used for routine research purposes. In this study, we evaluated two epigenetic clock models based on the 4 CpG sites and 2 CpG sites in the human genome using the pyrosequencing method for their methylation level estimation. The study sample included 153 people from the Ukrainian population with the age from 0 to 101. Both models showed a high correlation with the chronological age in our study sample (R2 = 0.85 for the 2 CpG model and R2 = 0.92 for the 4 CpG model). We also estimated the accuracy metrics of the age prediction in our study sample. For the age group from 18 to 80 MAD was 5.1 years for the 2 CpG model and 4.1 years for the 4 CpG model. In this regard, we can conclude, that the models evaluated in the study have good age predictive accuracy, and can be used for the epigenetic age evaluation due to the relative simplicity and time-effectiveness.

Biodistribution analysis of cisplatin in liposomal form in animals with cisplatin-resistant and cisplatin-sensitive carcinoma.

AIM: To analyze the relation between pharmacokinetics of cisplatin in liposomal form and antitumor efficacy toward cisplatin-resistant and cisplatin-sensitive variants of Guerin carcinoma. METHODS: Concentration of platinum was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (C115M1 "Selmi", Ukraine). Elimination constant was calculated based on the dynamics of cisplatin concentration in time period between 1 h to 24 h using nonlinear regression analysis. Area under curve (AUC24) was calculated by the trapezium method. RESULTS: It was shown that for liposomal form of cisplatin (LCp) AUC24 in tumor practically didn't depend on the level of the tumor sensitivity, while in animals with the resistant variant (CpRGC), AUC24 for free cisplatin (FCp) decreased by 70% less (p < 0.001) as compared to the sensitive tumor strain (CpSGC). Significant decrease of elimination constant of LCp compared to FCp in blood serum of rats bearing either CpRGC or CpSGC tumors favors cisplatin accumulation in tumor tissues with low vascularization level. The dynamics of cisplatin concentration in CpRGC variant was characterized by 90% higher level in 24 h after administration of LCp as compared to FCp (p < 0.05). This fact may explain increased antitumor efficacy of LCp compared to FCp toward CpRGC variant. In the study of kidney function, AUC24 index for LCp was by 68.6% (p < 0.01) and 50.7% (p < 0.05) lower than AUC24 index for FCp in rats with CpRGC and CpSGC variants, respectively. No significant differences have been found in biodistribution of cisplatin in both pharmaceutical forms in liver and lung in CpRGC- or CpSGC-bearing rats. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that cisplatin in liposomal form possesses higher specificity of antitumor action than free cisplatin.

[Functional activity of metal contained enzymes with antioxidant activity in blood of patients with stomach cancer and during the use of anticancer autovaccine].

The authors presented in the article results of assessment of metal contained enzymes with antioxidant activity, ceruloplasmin (CP) in plasma blood, Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase in red blood cells of patients with I-IV stage stomach cancer during surgical treatment and application of anticancer autovaccine (AAV) to prevent relapses and methastases. It was revealed compared with the donors that at stages of the treatment, before operation and after resuscitation, the level of activity of CP was higher in 1,3 times and in 3 times was higher the level of SOD. The change of catalase activity was within the limits of physiological values. Discrepancy in levels of activity of enzymes- synergists in relation to the elimination of radical forms testifies about the disbalance in functioning of the antioxidant system protection and is one of the signs of the manifestation of oxidant stress. The presence of wide ranges of changes in activity of metal contained enzymes before surgical operation and after resuscitation may depict the presence of significant tension in the functioning of antioxidant system in patients and may demand to carry out an analysis of each parameter. Normalization or stabilization of the level of activity of metal contained enzymes at the stage of surgical treatment or during the use of AAV reflects an availability of adaptation and compensatory mechanisms and it may be considered as a favorable prognostic factor of the treatment. The use of AAV in a complex treatment of patients with not local stomach canser lead to 3 years survival by 22% in comparison with surgical treatment of the patients.

The study of possibility to elevate antitumor activity and decrease of systemic toxic effects of cisplatin by its binding with deliganded albumin.

AIM: To evaluate antitumor and toxic action of cisplatin (CP) in non-bound form and in a complex with deliganded albumin. METHODS: To study complex-formation between CP and albumin, differential scanning and isothermic flow microcalorimetry were used. For quantitive evaluation of albumin-bound CP, the method of ultrafiltration was applied. Concentration of platinum in the samples was determined by atomic-absorption spectral analysis. Antitumor and toxic effect of CP and CP-albumin complex was studied in vivo using Guerin carcinoma (GC) model. RESULTS: It has been shown that the second drug-binding site, located in the III domain of albumin molecule is one of the main points of binding of CP. Purification of officinal human serum albumin (HSA) on highly active carbon hemosorbents of HSGD mark allows to obtain deliganded albumin (dHSA) with elevated complex-forming ability toward CP. Administration of CP-dHSA complex provides higher rate of GC growth inhibition, than that of CP, and the content of creatinine in blood plasma of GC-bearing rats increases by 15% versus 40% in the case of CP administration. CONCLUSION: The data obtained allow recommend application of CP-dHSA to complex for enhancement of antitumor action and decrease of toxic effects of cisplatin.

[Psychotherapy and psychocorrection in sanatorium rehabilitation of invalids with poor vision].

Sanatorium rehabilitation of weak-sighted invalids shows that they need psychocorrection and psychotherapy. The corrective measures should be based on psychological examination results and subjective preferences of the weak-sighted invalids. Criteria of the design of corrective programs and their efficacy are described.

[Ratio of low- and high-spin cytochrome P-450 in liver microsomes of N-nitrosodiethylamine-induced hepatomas].

Content of high- and low-spin oxidized CYP was determined in liver microsomes and NDEA-induced hepatomas by method of optic spectrofotometry. Value of spin states ratio in hepatoma was shown to be greater then in liver. It increased under the action of inductors, which caused the synthesis of isoforms in high-spin configuration. Data obtained as a result of investigation of CYP isoform composition and metabolite phenotype of hepatoma have suggested that shift in balance of spin states in hepatoma was due to the decrease in the quantities of IIC11 and IIE1 isoforms as well as to the high level of IA1 isoform expression.

[Medicosocial rehabilitation of disabled patients with impaired vision at a sanatorium].

Proper studies of the needs of the blind and weak-eyed patients in corrective measures at different stages of rehabilitation basing on both health status and subjective preferences raise efficacy of rehabilitation justifying an individual approach to each patient's needs in vision correction.

[Regeneration of cybrid Lycopersicon peruvianum x (Solanum rickii) plants with genetically transformed chloroplasts].

The hybrid plants with transformed plastids were regenerated after PEG fusion of chlorophyll-deficient Lycopersicon peruvianum leaf mesophyll protoplasts and leaf mesophyll protoplasts of Solanum rickii, which were previously genetically transformed and as the result were resistant to streptomycine and spectinomycine. The hybrid callus selection was based on the inability of the Lycopersicon peruvianum minicalli to have the green coloration and on the inability of gamma-preirradiated Solanum rickii protoplasts to divide. The hybrids were identified on the base of PCR analyses of nuclear and plastid DNA.

Nucleo-cytoplasmic incompatibility in cybrid plants possessing an Atropa genome and a Nicotiana plastome.

Twenty-nine cybrids possessing an Atropa belladonna nuclear genome and a Nicotiana tabacum plastome were selected from two independent protoplast fusion experiments. In contrast to the previously described reciprocal, green and fertile cybrids with a Nicotiana nuclear genome and an Atropa plastome (Kushnir et al. 1987), the plants obtained were totally chlorophyll-deficient. An Atropa nuclear genome and a Nicotiana plastome from these chlorophyll-deficient cybrids were combined with an Atropa or a Scopolia plastome and a Nicotiana nuclear genome, respectively, in control fusion experiments. All of these nuclear genome/plastome combinations gave rise to normal, green plants. Therefore, we conclude that an N. tabacum plastome is incompatible with an A. belladonna nuclear genome.

Novel class of rDNA repeat units in somatic hybrids between Nicotiana and Atropa.

Behavior of ribosomal RNA genes in the process of somatic hybridization was analyzed using hybrids Nicotiana tabacum + Atropa belladonna. Blothybridization of parental species DNAs to (32)P-rDNA specific probes revealed two classes of ribosomal repeats in both tobacco and nightshade; their length was 11.2 kb, 10.4 kb (tobacco) and 9.4 kb, 10.2 kb (night-shade). For analysis of hybrids, labelled (32)P rDNA specific probes were hybridized to DNA of parental species and somatic hybrids digested with restriction endonucleases EcoR1, EcoRV and BamH1. A new class of ribosomal DNA repeat, absent in parental species, was found in hybrid line NtAb-1. Possible mechanisms of appearence of a new rDNA class in the process of somatic cell fusion are discussed.

Spatial separation of parental genomes in hybrids of somatic plant cells.

Chromosome spatial arrangements on metaphase plates of intergeneric intertribal cell hybrids of Nicotiana chinensis and Atropa belladonna as well as interspecific somatic hybrid plants of Nicotiana plumbaginifolia and Nicotiana sylvestris were analyzed. In the metaphases of the first divisions of protoplast fusion products, chromosomes of the two parents were spatially separated (segmented metaphase). In long-term cultured somatic hybrids, the topology of genome separation pattern in both callus cells and plants showed changes in form from "segmental" to "radial." Growing the hybrid cells in the presence of colchicine resulted in random chromosome arrangement both in cells directly exposed to different colchicine concentrations and in colchicine-treated cells grown in colchicine-free media. The degree of genome separation calculated for different cell clones remained constant during in vitro propagation of cells but was significantly lower for subclones derived from colchicine-treated cells. Therefore, it is concluded that spatial chromosome arrangement in metaphase is epigenetically controlled.

Genetic processes in intergeneric cell hybrids Atropa + Nicotiana : 1. Genetic constitution of cells of different clonal origin grown in vitro.

The genetic constitution of the cell hybrids Atropa belladonna + Nicotiana chinensis, obtained by cloning of individual heteroplasmic protoplast fusion products (Gleba et al. 1982) and cultured in vitro for 12 months, has been studied. The study comprised 11 hybrid cell clones of independent origin and included analysis of a) chromosome number, size, morphology, and relative position in metaphase plates, b) multiple molecular forms of the enzymes esterase and amylase, and c) relative nuclear DNA content. The data obtained permit us to conclude that, after one year of unorganized growth in vitro, the cells of most (8) clones had retained chromosomes of both parents, while species-specific elimination of nearly all Atropa chromosomes had occurred in three clones. About half of the non-segregating clones possess 120-150 chromosomes including 50-70 of Atropa and 50-90 of Nicotiana. Other clones are polyploid and possess 200-250 chromosomes with a predominance of either Atropa or Nicotiana chromosome types. Only a few chromosomal changes (reconstituted chromosomes, ring chromosomes) have been detected. In some metaphase plates, chromosomes of the two parents tend to group separately, indicating non-random arrangement of chromosomes of the two parents within the hybrid nucleus. Cytophotometric studies of the relative nuclear DNA content showed that distribution histograms for cell clones were similar to those of non-hybrid cultured cells. Cell populations were relatively homogenous and do not indicate any genetic instability as a result of hybridization between remote plant species. Biochemical analysis of isoenzyme patterns confirmed that in most cell clones, species-specific multiple molecular forms of esterase and amylase from both parents were present, i.e. genetic material of both parental species was expressed in the cell hybrids.

Intertribal hybrid cell lines of Atropa belladonna (X) Nicotiana chinensis obtained by cloning individual protoplast fusion products.

After fusion of isolated mesophyll protoplasts of belladonna (Atropa belladonna) with callus protoplasts of Chinese tobacco (Nicotiana chinensis) followed by mechanical isolation and cloning of individual heteroplasmic fusion products, 13 cell clones were obtained. The hybrid nature of most of the clones has been confirmed by biochemical (studies of amylase isozymes), cytogenetic (size and morphology of chromosomes) and physiological (peculiarities of cell-growth in vitro) analyses. Study of chromosomes and isozyme patterns in the hybrid cell lines revealed the presence of both parental genomes, without an indication of chromosome elimination, six months after hybridization. In 4 cell lines shootlike structures and plantlets have been produced by means of transfer to organogenesis-inducing media. The data obtained are interpreted as new evidence for the possibility of using non-sexual hybridization for the production of intergeneric, intertribal plant hybrids which cannot be obtained by sexual crossing. From these results the potential of Atropa (X) Nicotiana hybrids as a model system for genetic studies of distantly related plant species is discussed.