[The relationship between eosinophilia and parameters of systemic and local adaptive immunity in patients with polypous rhinosinusitis].

Results of the study on adaptive immunity in patients with polypous rhinosinusitis (PRS) proved to depend on the degree of eosinophilia in the peripheral blood. The patients were allocated to two groups, one comprised of those having up to 150 eosinophils per 1 microliter the other of the patients with a higher eosinophil concentration. Patients of the former group had a significantly reduced number of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD20+cells in the peripheral blood that may indicate the necessity of administering immunotropic agents. The opposite picture is characteristic of the latter group in which a rise in the number of the above cells is associated with the increased amount of IgG- and IgA-positive cells. In this situation, the use of systemic immunotropic agents should be restricted. It is concluded that evaluation of systemic and local adaptive immunity is of importance for the choice of an adequate strategy for the treatment of patients with polypous rhinosinusitis.

[The dependence of Toll-receptor expression on pathomorphological features of nasal polyps in patients with polypous rhinosinusitis].

This work was designed to study expression of Toll 1-10 receptors on the surface of cells present in inflammatory infiltrate from nasal polyps and peripheral blood of the patients with polypous rhinosinusitis. It was shown that the intensity of expression depended on the pathomorphological characteristics of nasal polyps. Tissues removed from the patients with polyps of the oedematous type contained more Toll-10 positive cells and showed enhanced expression of Toll-5 receptors on monocytes and lymphocytes, Toll-3 receptors on monocytes, granulocytes, and lymphocytes, and Toll-9 receptors on granulocytes. In contrast, patients with polypous rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps of the fibroedematous type exhibited suppressed expression of Tol-7 receptors on monocytes and Toll-10 receptors on granulocytes coupled to the reduced number of Toll-6 positive lymphocytes as well as enhanced expression of Toll-1 receptors on monocytes, Toll-4 and Toll-5 receptors on granulocytes, and Toll-5 receptors on lymphocytes. It is concluded that only Toll-1, Toll-3, Toll-4, Toll-5, Toll-7, Toll-9 and Toll-10 receptors of their ten types identified thus far in patients with polypous rhinosinusitis and two pathomorphological variants of nasal polyps undergo modulation of expression. These findings open up prospects for the use of new methods for the management of patients with polypous rhinosinusitis by affecting selected components of congenital immunity.

[Novel methodological approaches to the evaluation of the immune status in sickly children with ENT organ pathology].

Principles of a novel methodology for the combined assessment of the immune function in sickly children with pathological changes in the organs of the otorhinolaringological system are expounded. The new approach includes investigations into local cellular and humoral immunity, evaluation of functional relationships and correlations between its parameters, interpretation of these findings, and the use of the characteristics thus obtained in the development of concrete recommendations for immunotropic and/or anti-inflammatory therapy. This approach is illustrated by examples of variations in the number of CD4(+) and CD20(+) cells and interplay between them. These findings taken together with the data on the levels of serum IgG, IgA, IgM, and percentage of immunohistochemical preparations positive for these immunoglobulins indicate that the proposed method may prove useful for the development of new therapeutic modalities for the treatment of sickly children with ENT organ pathology following adenotomy and tonsilotomy.

[Correlation between immunohistochemical indices of adenoid vegetations and health of ailing children].

We studied correlations between clinical characteristics of ailing children and their immunohistochemical parameters. Clinical status was assessed by the degree of adenoid vegetations, duration of the disease, the presence of chronic tonsillitis or its combination with adenoiditis. We used the following immunohistochemical parameters: the level of CD3+ in histological slices and the presence or absence of IgA-producing cells. Correlation was found between the presence or absence of IgA-producing cells and the degree of adenoid vegetations as well as the presence only of chronic tonsillitis or chronic tonsillitis plus adenoiditis. We found also important but statistically insignificant differences: in a group of patients with the disease duration up to 2 years CD3+ cells were absent, while in children with the disease duration more than 5 years these cells were present. Thus, immunohistochemical parameters are rather informative in interpretation of a clinical picture in ailing children.

Peripheral blood leukocytes from multiple sclerosis patients are coated with factors inhibiting their chemotaxis in the presence of myelin basic protein.

In this study myelin basic protein (MBP) was tested for its effect on chemotaxis of human peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) and neutrophils from multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. MBP appeared to inhibit specifically the formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP)-induced chemotaxis of both the total leukocyte population and neutrophils. In comparison, no inhibition of chemotaxis was observed in healthy donors and patients with other neurological diseases. From MS patients we collected neutrophil supernatants obtained by incubation of the cells in a serum-free medium at 37 degrees C for 60 min and evaluated their effect on chemotaxis of neutrophils from healthy donors. Chemotaxis of healthy donor neutrophils was inhibited specifically in the presence of MBP after treatment with these supernatants, presumably relating to the presence of immune complexes on the surface of neutrophils from MS patients. Those complexes can be eluted into the incubation medium and coat healthy donor neutrophils, thus arming them specifically.

Peripheral blood neutrophils from HIV-1-infected individuals are armed with factors that cause inhibition of their migration in response to specific antigens.

In this study, synthetic peptides that copy conserved regions of the HIV-1 envelope proteins gp120 and gp41 were tested for their impact on the chemotaxis of leukocytes and neutrophils from HIV-1-infected individuals, while neutrophils from HIV-1-infected patients were tested for their effect on the chemotaxis of neutrophils from healthy donors. The synthetic peptides (corresponding to the 251-272-amino acid sequence of gp120 and the 584-618-amino acid sequence of gp41) were capable of specifically inhibiting the formyl peptide-induced chemotaxis of cells from HIV-1-infected patients, and such inhibition was observed both with a total leukocyte population and with pure neutrophils. The migration of neutrophils from healthy donors was specifically inhibited in the presence of either of the synthetic peptides of HIV-1 envelope proteins after their incubation with neutrophil supernatants obtained from HIV-1-infected individuals. As shown by ELISA tests, the neutrophil supernatants from HIV-1-infected individuals contain antibodies to a recombinant env-1 protein that might be one of the reasons for the specific arming of neutrophils from HIV-1-infected persons.

Mononuclear cells from HIV-infected patients produce factors which enhance functional activity of polymorphonuclear neutrophils from healthy subjects.

The influence of mononuclear cell supernatants (MNCS) from nine healthy donors and 35 HIV-infected patients (17 with lymphoadenopathy syndrome (LAS), 15 with ARC and three with AIDS) on functional activity of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) from healthy donors was investigated. MNC after short-term cultivation (24 h) produced factors which enhanced chemiluminescence (CL) and chemotaxis of PMN. This augmentation did not depend on stimulation of MNC by mitogens (lipopolysaccharide Escherichia coli (LPS) and concanavalin A (Con A)) or on activation of PMN by FMLP. After 48 h of cultivation only MNC stimulated by LPS produced these factors. MNCS from HIV-infected patients provoked a more pronounced augmentation of PMN CL compared with MNCS from healthy subjects. This enhancement was observed in patients at all stages of infection, but was more pronounced in patients with LAS. MNCS impact on PMN CL was not connected with proliferative activity of MNC but was correlated with the level of CD4 cells. It was shown that removal of adherent cells from MNC fraction resulted in decreased MNCS impact. Treatment of MNCS by antibody to IL-1 beta, IL-8, interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) did not decrease MNCS impact on PMN CL.

[Comparative analysis of functional activity of peripheral blood phagocytes in HIV-infected patients and in those with recurrent herpes simplex]. / Sravnitel'nyi analiz funktsional'noi aktivnosti fagotsitiruiushchikh kletok perifericheskoi krovi u VICh-infitsirovannykh lits i u bol'nykh retsidiviruiushchei virusnoi infektsiei herpes simplex.

The functional activity of peripheral phagocytes were comparatively studied in 14 HIV-infected patients and 28 patients with chronic Herpes simplex viral infection. The two groups exhibited lowered adhesive capacity of phagocytes, impaired production and excretion of active oxygen metabolites. In addition, the patients with chronic Herpes simplex infection showed much elevated levels of myeloperoxidase and acid phosphatase, which indicated its compensatory pattern. The HIV infected had no enhanced enzymatic activity. One cannot rule out that these differences in the functional activity of phagocytes are associated with different effects of viral peptides on the cellular wall of phagocytes.

[A comprehensive study of the phagocytic link in immunity in primary immunodeficiency states]. / Kompleksnoe issledovanie fagotsitarnogo zvena immuniteta pri pervichnykh immunodefitsitnykh sostoianiiakh.

The results of the study of the phagocytic element of immunity in cases of primary immunodeficiency, made with the use of a complex of functional tests, are presented. As shown in this study, in patients with definitely characterized phagocytic defect (chronic granulomatous disease) a decrease in all parameters under study, with the exception of phagocyte index, is observed. In patients with immunodeficient states of nonphagocytic nature moderate mosaic deviations of phagocytosis characteristics are noted. For further and more profound study of phagocytosis disturbances in such patients, it is expedient, in particular, to carry out studies in the activity of myeloperoxidaze and the intensity of oxygen-dependent metabolism. The use of the complex of methods used in this investigation has shown their high diagnostic value. It may be recommended for clinical practice under the condition of strict standardization of experimental techniques.

[Cellular immunity function in HIV-1-infected persons]. / Izuchenie sostoianiia kletochnogo immuniteta u HIV-1 infitsirovannykh lits.

The data on the state of cell-mediated immunity in patients with AIDS-related complex are presented. The synthetic peptide of membrane protein gp120 of HIV-1 was shown to inhibit leukocyte adhesion in persons under examination, as well as to have the tendency towards inhibiting the chemotaxis of migratory cells. The maximum effect was achieved at a peptide concentration of 10(-6) M. The data obtained in this investigation suggest the presence of specific cell-mediated sensitization to the fragment of protein gp120, detected by the adhesion inhibition test with the use of spectrophotometric techniques and the capillary evaluation of the chemotaxis of migrating cells, in patients with AIDS-related complex.

[Inhibitor factors in the serum of patients with the AIDS-related complex]. / Ingibitornye faktory v syvorotke bol'nykh so SPID-assotsiirovannym kompleksom.

The data on the presence of factors blocking the reaction of E-rosette formation and leukocyte chemotaxis in the blood sera of patients with AIDS-related complex (ARC) and HIV-positive donors are presented. Most frequently the blocking of E-rosette formation coincided with the presence of a inhibiting effect on the migration capacity of leukocytes. This blocking activity was not linked with the presence of C-reactive protein in the circulation stream. The treatment of ARC patients with plasmapheresis and/or travolol was accompanied either by the disappearance of blocking activity or by the appearance of activity stimulating E-rosette formation.

[A spectrophotometric method of determining the myeloperoxidase activity in phagocytic cells]. / Spektrofotometricheskii sposob opredeleniia aktivnosti mieloperoksidazy v fagotsitiruiushchikh kletkakh.

A spectrophotometric method has been developed for measurements of myeloperoxidase activity in phagocytes, and conditions of measurements specified. Contribution of mononuclear cells to myeloperoxidase activity was found negligible, the major role here was played by neutrophils and eosinophils. Myeloperoxidase activity was found reduced in the patients with chronic granulomatous disease, agammaglobulinemia, and elevated in hyper-IgE-syndrome; this parameter was unchanged in ataxia telangiectasia and chronic dermatomucosal candidiasis.

[Action of T-activin on human natural killer activity in vitro]. / Deistvie T-aktivina na aktivnost' estestvennykh killerov cheloveka invitro.

The activity of natural killers (NK) from human peripheral blood was determined by 3H-uridine test using target cells K-562. T-activin effect on the activity of human NK in vitro depended on two parameters: the preparation dose and effector/target cells ratio. The inhibitory effect of T-activin was observed with high doses and increased E/T ratio, while the activating effect was noted with low doses and reduced E/T ratio. This can be attributed to the heterogeneity of NK population, different functional role of high and low doses of thymic factors and the development of NK as T-cell precursors.

[Quantitative and functional evaluation of immunoregulating cells and natural killers in patients with aplastic anemia]. / Kolichestvennaia i funktsionalnaia otsenka immunoreguliatornykh kletok i estestvennykh killerov u bol'nykh aplasticheskoi anemiei.

Cell-mediated immunity was studied in 11 patients with idiopathic aplastic anemia according to several parameters at a time. Analysis of the data obtained draws attention to the pronounced relative lymphocytosis, disordered balance of the immunoregulatory subpopulations of T lymphocytes (T mu and T gamma) associated with an appreciable increase in the number of cytotoxic T suppressor cells. The lowering of spontaneous and optimal Con A dose-induced production of leukocyte migration inhibition factor and deficiency of the activity of normal killers can be determined by potentiation of the suppressor activity of T lymphocytes or by the influence of factors produced by T suppressors. The goal-oriented correction of the high suppressor activity of T cells may appear promising in the complex of therapeutic measures used in the management of the patients' population with idiopathic aplastic anemia.

[Antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity and the effect of interferon on K-cell functional activity in vitro in chronic viral hepatitis B in children]. / Sostoianie antitelozavisimoi kletochnoi tsitotoksichnosti i vliianie interferona na funktsional'nuiu aktivnost' K-kletok in vitro pri khronicheskom virusnom gepatite B u detei.

Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and in-vitro effect of interferon (IF) on the K cell activity was investigated in children with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and normal donors. The ADCC in CHB was significantly decreased under normal values. The low K cell activity in CHB might determine inadequate elimination of infected liver cells and continuation of hepatitis B virus replication. IF in vitro significantly stimulated the ADCC of normal blood donors but was unable to significantly increase the ADCC of CHB patients. The in-vitro stimulation of the ADCC of normal donors by IF might be a phenomenon due to an increase of the adult K cell cytotoxic potential and/or activation of pre-K cell maturation. The lack of in-vitro augmentation of the ADCC of CHB patients by IF might result from the decreased quantity of K cells of pre-K cells in the peripheral blood and/or their low susceptibility to the stimulating effect of IF.

[Change in the activity of natural killer cells in normal subjects and in virus diseases on exposure to interferon in vitro]. / Izmenenie aktivnosti estestvennykh killerov v norme i pri virusnoi patologii pod vliianiem interferona in vitro.

The activity of natural killers was examined in peripheral blood of healthy subjects and patients with chronic hepatitis and disseminated sclerosis. An attempt was made to correct natural killer activity by human leukocyte interferon in vitro. To assess the activity of natural killers, use was made of the method of serial dilutions. An optimal effector/target ratio was employed in experiments. The patients with chronic hepatitis and disseminated sclerosis demonstrated a reduction in the activity of natural killers whatever the effector/target ratio. The action of interferon in vitro is specific immunomodulatory in nature. Administration of interferon in a dose of 250 Units/ml raises the magnitude of the cytotoxic index in healthy donors and in patients with chronic hepatitis and disseminated sclerosis, making the shape of the killer activity curve approach that of normal. Such an approach can be used for preliminary assessment of the sensitivity of natural killers to interferon in viral diseases of man. The potentialities and efficacy of interferon in clinical medicine are discussed.

[Role of immunoregulatory cells and natural killers in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis]. / Rol' immunoreguliatornykh kletok i estestvennykh killerov v patogeneze rasseiannogo skleroza.

Simultaneous investigations of the immunoregulatory cells and the natural killers were carried out in patients with different stages of multiple sclerosis in an attempt to determine a relationship between these organisms and the clinical stage of the disease. The quantities of E- and EAC-RFC in patients of all groups were within normal. The amount of T gamma-cells was decreased in the progressive phase of the disease and was significantly higher than normal during remission. The activity of the natural killers in the progressive phase of disease did not differ from control but was significantly depressed during remission with all effector/target ratios. The activity of the natural killers and the amount of T gamma-cells were found to be reversely correlated both in the progressive and remission phases of the disease. A quantitative reduction in the 0 population of lymphocytes was accompanied by a sharp suppression of natural killer activity.