ABSTRACT
This short report summarizes the results of recent immunological studies performed at new Sirius University of Science and Technology. The report focuses on studying the features of the immune response to vaccination and revaccination against SARS-CoV-2, as well as on a search of potential agents to prevent infection with this virus.
ABSTRACT
This short report summarizes the results of recent immunological studies performed at the new Sirius University of Science and Technology. The report focuses on studying the features of the immune response to vaccination and revaccination against SARS-CoV-2, as well as on a search of potential agents to prevent infection with this virus.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Humans , SARS-CoV-2 , Technology , Vaccination , Antibodies, Viral , Antibodies, NeutralizingABSTRACT
SARS-CoV-2 is a new coronavirus that is the cause of COVID-19 pandemic. To enter the cell, the virus interacts via its surface S protein with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the main entry receptor on the cell membrane. Most of protective antibodies, including those induced by vaccinations, target the S protein, preventing its interaction with the ACE2 receptor. We have evaluated an alternative strategy for blocking the S-ACE2 interaction using new antipeptide antibodies to the N-terminus of the ACE2 molecule. These antibodies allow detection of human ACE2 in vitro and ex vivo.
Subject(s)
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2/immunology , COVID-19 , Pandemics , Angiotensins/metabolism , Humans , Pandemics/prevention & control , Protein Binding , SARS-CoV-2 , Spike Glycoprotein, CoronavirusABSTRACT
Systemic cytokine inhibition may be an effective therapeutic strategy for several autoimmune diseases. However, recent studies suggest that tissue or cell type-specific targeting of certain cytokines, including TNF, may have distinct advantages and show fewer side effects. Here we describe protocols for generating and testing bispecific cytokine inhibitors using variable domain of single-chain antibodies from Camelidae (VHH) with a focus on cell-specific TNF inhibitors.
Subject(s)
Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains , Immunoglobulin Variable Region , Single-Domain Antibodies/biosynthesis , Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors , Antibody Affinity , Antibody Specificity , Cytokines/biosynthesis , Flow Cytometry , Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains/genetics , Immunoglobulin Variable Region/genetics , Single-Domain Antibodies/chemistry , Single-Domain Antibodies/isolation & purification , Single-Domain Antibodies/pharmacology , Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors/chemistry , Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors/isolation & purification , Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors/pharmacology , Tumor Necrosis Factors/chemistry , Tumor Necrosis Factors/metabolismABSTRACT
This special issue of the journal is dedicated to the tenth anniversary of the Department of Immunology, Faculty of Biology, Moscow State University and describes some of the results of its work. Most of the materials were prepared by young graduates and post-graduate students of the department.
Subject(s)
Allergy and Immunology/history , Allergy and Immunology/organization & administration , Universities/organization & administration , Anniversaries and Special Events , Biological Science Disciplines/history , Biological Science Disciplines/organization & administration , History, 21st Century , Moscow , Universities/historyABSTRACT
There is a canonical life-history trade-off between quantity and quality of offspring, but molecular determinants for this are unknown. Here, we show that knockout of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-KO) in mice switched a relation between the number and size of developing embryos from expectedly negative to unexpectedly positive. Depletion of TNFα imbalanced humoral and trophic maintenance of embryo growth during gestation with respect to the litter size. The levels of embryotrophic GM-CSF cytokine and placental efficiency attained positive correlations with the number and size of embryos in TNF-KO females. Thus, TNFα oversees mother's resource allocations to balance embryo growth with the number of offspring. Consequently, this suggests an intricate link between the number-size trade-off and immunity given a pivotal role of TNFα in immune homeostasis.
Subject(s)
Embryonic Development/genetics , Genetic Association Studies , Litter Size , Quantitative Trait, Heritable , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism , Animals , Female , Gene Knockdown Techniques , Homeostasis , Hormones , Mice , Pregnancy , Sex FactorsABSTRACT
Cytokines play a pivotal role in maintaining homeostasis of the immune system and in regulation of the immune response. Cytokine dysregulation is often associated with development of various pathological conditions, including autoimmunity. Recent studies have provided insights into the cytokine signaling pathways that are involved not only in pathogenesis of autoimmune neuroinflammatory disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, but also in neurodegenerative states, for example, Alzheimer's disease. Understanding the exact molecular mechanisms of disease pathogenesis and evaluation of relevant experimental animal models are necessary for development of effective therapeutic approaches.
Subject(s)
Cytokines/metabolism , Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/pathology , Animals , Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use , Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/immunology , Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/metabolism , Humans , Multiple Sclerosis/drug therapy , Multiple Sclerosis/immunology , Multiple Sclerosis/pathology , Neurodegenerative Diseases/immunology , Neurodegenerative Diseases/metabolism , Neurodegenerative Diseases/pathology , Neurons/metabolism , Signal Transduction , T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer/immunology , T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer/metabolismABSTRACT
To model human interleukin-6 (hIL-6) associated diseases, unique mice with transgenic overexpression of human IL-6 and reporter fluorescent protein EGFP in cells of macrophage-monocyte lineage were generated using loxP-Cre system. High level of hIL-6 production by macrophages and monocytes, as confirmed in vitro in primary culture of bone marrow-derived macrophages, in vivo resulted in early postnatal death in vivo, presumably, due to the effect of overexpression of hIL-6 on hematopoiesis.
Subject(s)
Hematopoiesis , Interleukin-6 , Macrophages/metabolism , Monocytes/metabolism , Animals , Green Fluorescent Proteins/biosynthesis , Green Fluorescent Proteins/genetics , Humans , Interleukin-6/biosynthesis , Interleukin-6/genetics , Macrophages/cytology , Mice , Mice, Transgenic , Monocytes/cytologyABSTRACT
Reverse genetics approach, involving genome editing, makes it possible not only to establish the nonredundant and unique functions of genes and their products, but also to construct animal models for biomedical research. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is an important immunoregulatory and proinflammatory cytokine that differs from many related proteins in having a rather complicated signal transduction scheme. Apart from the multiple functions of IL-6, the most relevant biological problem of recent years was establishing what cells produce IL-6, in what form IL-6 is produced, what cells are recipients of the IL-6 signal, and what are the downstream events and physiological consequences of the IL-6 signaling cascade. Because IL-6 is involved in the pathogenesis of many diseases and is a drug target, understanding the mechanisms of its normal and pathogenic effects is important for the clinics. The review summarizes the recent data available in the field.
Subject(s)
Interleukin-6/metabolism , Reverse Genetics , Signal Transduction , Animals , Humans , Interleukin-6/geneticsSubject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use , Antibodies, Neutralizing/therapeutic use , Antibodies, Viral/therapeutic use , Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/therapeutic use , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/therapeutic use , Animals , Antibodies, Monoclonal/biosynthesis , Antibodies, Monoclonal/genetics , Antibodies, Neutralizing/biosynthesis , Antibodies, Neutralizing/genetics , Antibodies, Viral/biosynthesis , Antibodies, Viral/genetics , Autoimmune Diseases/diagnosis , Autoimmune Diseases/drug therapy , Autoimmune Diseases/pathology , Humans , Neoplasms/diagnosis , Neoplasms/drug therapy , Neoplasms/immunology , Neoplasms/pathology , Protein Engineering/methods , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/genetics , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/immunology , Virus Diseases/diagnosis , Virus Diseases/drug therapy , Virus Diseases/immunology , Virus Diseases/virologyABSTRACT
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a proinflammatory cytokine implicated in pathogenesis of multiple autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Anti-TNF therapy has revolutionized the therapeutic paradigms of autoimmune diseases and became one of the most successful examples of the clinical use of monoclonal antibodies. Currently, anti-TNF therapy is used by millions of patients worldwide. At the moment, fully human anti-TNF antibody Adalimumab is the best-selling anti-cytokine drug in the world. Here, we present a story about a highly potent anti-TNF monoclonal antibody initially characterized more than 20 years ago and further developed into chimeric and humanized versions. We present comparative analysis of this antibody with Infliximab and Adalimumab.
Subject(s)
Adalimumab/biosynthesis , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/biosynthesis , Antibodies, Monoclonal/biosynthesis , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy , Infliximab/biosynthesis , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/antagonists & inhibitors , Adalimumab/isolation & purification , Adalimumab/pharmacology , Animals , Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal , Antibodies, Monoclonal/history , Antibodies, Monoclonal/isolation & purification , Antibodies, Monoclonal/pharmacology , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/history , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/isolation & purification , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/pharmacology , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/genetics , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/immunology , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/pathology , Cloning, Molecular , Gene Expression , History, 20th Century , History, 21st Century , Humans , Infliximab/isolation & purification , Infliximab/pharmacology , Mice , Psoriasis/drug therapy , Psoriasis/genetics , Psoriasis/immunology , Psoriasis/pathology , Spondylitis, Ankylosing/drug therapy , Spondylitis, Ankylosing/genetics , Spondylitis, Ankylosing/immunology , Spondylitis, Ankylosing/pathology , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/immunologyABSTRACT
Culturing of allogeneic or autologous cells in three-dimensional bioresorbable scaffolds is an important step in the engineering of constructs for regenerative medicine, as well as for experimental systems to study the mechanisms of cell differentiation and cell-to-cell interaction. Artificial substrates can modulate the phenotype and functional activity of immobilized cells. Investigating these changes is important for understanding the fundamental processes underlying cellular interactions in a 3D microenvironment and for improving tissue-engineered structures. In this study, we investigated the expression of the ICAM-1 adhesion molecule in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) when cultured on gelatin-fibroin scaffolds. Increased expression of ICAM-1 in MEF was detected only under 3D culture conditions both at the mRNA and protein levels. At the same time, the MEF cultured on various substrates did not oerexpress MAdCAM-1, indicating the selective effect of 3D culture conditions on ICAM-1 expression. One possible mechanism for ICAM-1 induction in MEF is associated with the activation of AP-1, since expression of c-Fos and Junb (but not cJun and Jund) was increased in MEF in 3D. When cultured under 2D conditions, the expression level of AP-1 components did not change.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Currently, treatment of autoimmune diseases is based on manipulation of general control mechanisms, including those mediated by immunoregulatory cytokines. This approach is non-curative and may cause unwanted side effects due to numerous beneficial and non-redundant functions of a particular cytokine. METHODS: Techniques of reverse genetics, such as conditional gene targeting, were employed to uncover the contributions of two proinflammatory and immunomodulatory cytokines, tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), in various disease states. RESULTS: Several non-redundant functions of TNF from distinct cellular sources were identified. TNF from myeloid cells is pathogenic in several autoimmune diseases, whereas TNF produced by T cells showed non-redundant protective functions in experimental arthritis and in a Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection model. To test the idea of selective pharmacological inhibition of "bad" TNF produced by myeloid cells while sparing "good" TNF produced by T lymphocytes, a myeloid-specific TNF inhibitor (MYSTI) was designed - a recombinant mini-antibody with dual specificity that can bind to the surface molecule F4/80 on myeloid cells and to TNF. In vitro experiments confirmed retention of TNF on the surface of TNF-producing cells and in vivo experiments indicated that MYSTI can protect mice from lethal TNF-mediated hepatotoxicity. MYSTI is also effective in experimental arthritis. CONCLUSION: The proposed therapeutic strategy may be more effective than systemic anti-cytokine therapy in several human autoimmune diseases, as it would preserve the potentially beneficial effects of the same cytokine produced by other cell types. Such bispecific biological agents may become interesting tools for experimental studies and, eventually, drug development.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use , Immune System Diseases/immunology , Immune System Diseases/therapy , Interleukin-6/immunology , Molecular Targeted Therapy/methods , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/immunology , Animals , Cell Survival/drug effects , Cell Survival/immunology , Cells, Cultured , Cytokines/immunology , Immune System Diseases/pathology , Mice , T-Lymphocytes/immunologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Currently, treatment of autoimmune diseases is based on manipulation of general control mechanisms, including those mediated by immunoregulatory cytokines. This approach is non-curative and may cause unwanted side effects due to numerous beneficial and non-redundant functions of a particular cytokine. METHODS: Techniques of reverse genetics, such as conditional gene targeting, were employed to uncover the contributions of two proinflammatory and immunomodulatory cytokines, tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), in various disease states. RESULTS: Several non-redundant functions of TNF from distinct cellular sources were identified. TNF from myeloid cells is pathogenic in several autoimmune diseases, whereas TNF produced by T cells showed non-redundant protective functions in experimental arthritis and in a Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection model. To test the idea of selective pharmacological inhibition of "bad" TNF produced by myeloid cells while sparing "good" TNF produced by T lymphocytes, a myeloid-specific TNF inhibitor (MYSTI) was designed-a recombinant mini-antibody with dual specificity that can bind to the surface molecule F4/80 on myeloid cells and to TNF. In vitro experiments confirmed retention of TNF on the surface of TNF-producing cells and in vivo experiments indicated that MYSTI can protect mice from lethal TNF-mediated hepatotoxicity. MYSTI is also effective in experimental arthritis. CONCLUSION: The proposed therapeutic strategy may be more effective than systemic anti-cytokine therapy in several human autoimmune diseases, as it would preserve the potentially beneficial effects of the same cytokine produced by other cell types. Such bispecific biological agents may become interesting tools for experimental studies and, eventually, drug development.
ABSTRACT
Inflammation is one of the most fundamental and pronounced protective reactions of the organism. From ancient times to the present day, complex and diverse patterns of inflammation development and their role in various diseases have attracted attention of investigators. This issue of Biokhimiya/Biochemistry (Moscow) includes experimental studies and reviews dedicated to various aspects of this important and interesting problem.
Subject(s)
Inflammation/genetics , Inflammation/immunology , Animals , Humans , Inflammation/pathologyABSTRACT
The process of tissue regeneration following damage takes place with direct participation of the immune system. The use of biomaterials as scaffolds to facilitate healing of skin wounds is a new and interesting area of regenerative medicine and biomedical research. In many ways, the regenerative potential of biological material is related to its ability to modulate the inflammatory response. At the same time, all foreign materials, once implanted into a living tissue, to varying degree cause an immune reaction. The modern approach to the development of bioengineered structures for applications in regenerative medicine should be directed toward using the properties of the inflammatory response that improve healing, but do not lead to negative chronic manifestations. In this work, we studied the effect of microcarriers comprised of either fibroin or fibroin supplemented with gelatin on the dynamics of the healing, as well as inflammation, during regeneration of deep skin wounds in mice. We found that subcutaneous administration of microcarriers to the wound area resulted in uniform contraction of the wounds in mice in our experimental model, and microcarrier particles induced the infiltration of immune cells. This was associated with increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines TNF, IL-6, IL-1ß, and chemokines CXCL1 and CXCL2, which contributed to full functional recovery of the injured area and the absence of fibrosis as compared to the control group.
Subject(s)
Fibroins/pharmacology , Skin/immunology , Wound Healing/drug effects , Wound Healing/immunology , Wounds and Injuries/drug therapy , Wounds and Injuries/immunology , Animals , Cytokines/immunology , Female , Mice , Skin/pathology , Wounds and Injuries/pathologyABSTRACT
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a pleiotropic cytokine that regulates many important processes in the body. TNF production in a physiological state supports the structure of lymphoid organs and determines the development of lymphoid cells in hematopoiesis. However, chronic TNF overexpression leads to the development of various autoimmune disorders. Sites of TNF production in the naïve state remain unclear due to the lack of in vivo models. In the present study, we used TNF-2A-Kat reporter mice to monitor the expression of TNF in different tissues. Comparative analysis of tissue fluorescence in TNF-2A-Kat reporter mice and wild type mice revealed constitutive expression of TNF in the skin of naïve adult mice. In the skin of TNF-2A-Kat reporter mouse embryos, no statistically significant differences in the expression of TNF compared to wild type animals were observed. Furthermore, we established that local depletion of microflora with topical antibiotics leads to a reduction in the fluorescence signal. Thus, we assume that the skin microflora is responsible for the expression of TNF in the skin of mice.
Subject(s)
Gene Expression Regulation/immunology , Microbiota/immunology , Skin/immunology , Skin/microbiology , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/immunology , Animals , Mice , Mice, Transgenic , Skin/metabolism , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/biosynthesisABSTRACT
Relationship between inflammation and cancer is now well-established and represents a paradigm that our immune response does not necessarily serves solely to protect us from infections and cancer. Many specific mechanisms that link chronic inflammation to cancer promotion and metastasis have been uncovered in the recent years. Here we are focusing on the effects that tumors may exert on inflammatory cascades, tuning the immune system ability to cause tumor promotion or regression. In particular, we discuss the contributions of chemokines, cytokines and exosomes to the processes such as induction of inflammation and tumorigenesis. Overall, tumor-elicited inflammation is a key driver of tumor progression and an essential component of tumor microenvironment.
Subject(s)
Inflammation/pathology , Neoplasms/pathology , Tumor Microenvironment/immunology , Animals , Chemokines/metabolism , Cytokines/metabolism , Disease Progression , Exosomes/metabolism , Humans , Inflammation/immunology , Neoplasms/immunologyABSTRACT
This review addresses the issue of bioengineering of artificial lymphoid organs.Progress in this field may help to better understand the nature of the structure-function relations that exist in immune organs. Artifical lymphoid organs may also be advantageous in the therapy or correction of immunodefficiencies, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. The structural organization, development, and function of lymphoid tissue are analyzed with a focus on the role of intercellular contacts and on the cytokine signaling pathways regulating these processes. We describe various polymeric materials, as scaffolds, for artificial tissue engineering. Finally, published studies in which artificial lymphoid organs were generated are reviewed and possible future directions in the field are discussed.
ABSTRACT
The IL-6 family of cytokines includes a variety of proteins that function not only within the immune system, but also in other organs, tissues, and types of cells, including neurons. The common evolutionary origin of the IL-6 family proteins determines similar mechanisms of reception and intracellular signaling, although their primary structures are highly variable, as well as their biological functions. We have demonstrated that the members of the IL-6 family have high evolutionary plasticity. This manifests in a high degree of population polymorphism for IL-6 family genes, as well as varying degrees of evolutionary conservation among members of the family. The degree of evolutionary conservation of IL-6 family proteins does not correlate with the mechanisms of interaction between these cytokines and their receptors.