Efficacy of dispersed fibrous carbon sorbent in treatment of malignant fungating wounds.

AIM: To evaluate the influence of dispersed fibrous carbon sorbent (DFCS) on malignant fungating wounds (MFWs) in Guerin's carcinoma-bearing rats with an assessment of wound bacterial microflora. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was performed on female Wistar rats inoculated subcutaneously with Guerin T8 carcinoma into the upper interscapular region. On day 20, the tumors were infected by injecting the suspension of S. aureus 8325-4. After 24 h, gauze dressings were applied daily to the wounds in the control group and DFCS in the experimental one. The state of the wounds was assessed by visual control with photo monitoring, odor control on a verbal rating scale and microbiological analysis of qualitative and quantitative characteristics of wound microbiota. RESULTS: On the 3rd day after the start of dressings, the number of S. aureus of 8325-4 strain was significantly higher in the wounds of rats in control group than experimental one (5.14 ± 0.27 vs 3.43 ± 0.33 lg CFU/ml). The total number of Staphylococci in the DFCS-treated wounds did not differ statistically from the number of S. aureus 8325-4 strain whereas in control ones were higher by an order of magnitude. On the 10th day the total number of Staphylococci and S. aureus 8325-4 in particular, remained consistently high in the wounds of the control rats, while was almost five orders of magnitude lower and represented mainly by S. aureus 8325-4 in the experimental ones. The total number of aerobic and optionally anaerobic microorganisms was significantly lower as well. A greater variety of microorganisms in the gauze-covered wounds, as well as an their increased number were accompanied by enhancement of the wound odor from "noticeable" to "strong". There was an appearance of a "barely noticeable" odor in only one animal from the experimental group. CONCLUSION: The study has demonstrated the ability of DFCS to control substantially the bacterial microflora as well as malodor of MWFs in vivo. The results obtained can contribute to solving the problem of improving the quality of palliative care for patients with malignant and other chronic wounds.

Influence of Secretome of Different Functional Phenotypes of Macrophages on Proliferation, Differentiation, and Collagen-Producing Activity of Dermal Fibroblasts In Vitro.

We studied the effect of conditioned media of GM-CSF-differentiated human macrophages polarized in M1(LPS), M2a(IL-4), M2c(dexamethasone), and M2(low serum) phenotypes on proliferation, differentiation, and collagen-producing activity of dermal fibroblasts. It was found that M1(LPS) and M2a(IL-4) were characterized by moderate influence on functional activity of fibroblasts. At the same time, soluble factors of M2c(dexamethasone) significantly enhanced the proliferative response of fibroblasts, but not their differentiation and type I collagen production. On the contrary, M2(low serum) generated under conditions of growth factors deficiency had a pronounced stimulating effect on the differentiation of fibroblasts and production of type I collagen by these cells, but moderately stimulated the fibroblast proliferation. Thus, the secretory activity of various functional phenotypes of macrophages is an important mechanism of fibrogenesis regulation.

Effect of M2 Macrophage-Derived Soluble Factors on Proliferation and Apoptosis of SH-SY5Y Cells.

Macrophages play the key role in the regulation of neuroregeneration. For evaluation of the neuroregenerative potential of M2 macrophages, we studied the effect of macrophages polarized with IL-4 (M2a (IL-4)) and by efferocytosis under conditions of serum deprivation (LS, Low Serum; M2(LS)) on proliferative activity and apoptosis of SH-SY5Y cells under conditions of deficiency of growth/serum factors. Conditioned media of both M2(LS) and M2a(IL-4) stimulated proliferation of SH-SY5Y cells. Moreover, soluble factors of M2(LS) and M2a(IL-4) reduced the degree of early apoptosis of SH-SY5Y cells and the protective effect of M2(LS) was observed at earlier terms of culturing. Our findings suggest that M2 macrophages have high neuroregenerative potential that is mediated through soluble factors and manifests itself both in stimulation of proliferation and inhibition of apoptosis of SH-SY5Y cells.

Efferocytosis Modulates Arginase-1 and Tyrosine Kinase Mer Expression in GM-CSF-Differentiated Human Macrophages.

We studied the expression of arginase-1 (Arg1) and tyrosine kinase Mer (MerTK) in GMCSF-differentiated human macrophage populations М0, М1(IFNγ), М2а(IL-4), and М2(low serum) generated under conditions of growth/serum factor deficiency. The maximum relative content of Arg1+ and MerTK+ cells was found in М2 macrophage populations: М2а(IL-4) and М2(low serum). As the uptake of apoptotic cells is the key mechanism of M2 polarization during M2(low serum) generation, we performed a special series of experiments and showed that incubation with allogeneic apoptotic neutrophils significantly increased the percentages of CD206+ macrophages co-expressing Arg1 and MerTK.

Comparative study of biochemical and morphological parameters in rats with Walker 256 and Walker 256/DOX carcinosarcoma.

AIM: To evaluate the changes of some biochemical blood plasma parameters and morphological structure of the internal organs of rats with transplanted doxorubicin (DOX)-sensitive (Walker 256) and doxorubicin-resistant (Walker 256/DOX) strains of Walker 256 carcinosarcoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was performed on female Wistar rats with transplanted Walker 256 or Walker 256/DOX and intact animals (control). On the 9th day after transplantation of tumor cells, a comparative analysis of some blood plasma biochemical parameters and morphological examination of the liver, kidneys, myocardium and spleen of rats was carried out. RESULTS: Walker 256 growth, in comparison with Walker 256/DOX, is accompanied by more pronounced systemic effect on tumor-bearing rats. Uric acid concentration in the blood plasma of Walker 256 bearing rats was significantly (by 15.5%) higher than in Walker 256/DOX bearing rats. Aspartate aminotransferase activity in the Walker 256 group was significantly (by 107.2%) higher than in Walker 256/DOX group, but alanine aminotransferase activity was 58.5% lower. 56.7% decrease of alkaline phosphatase in rats with Walker 256, and 21% increase of this index in rats with Walker 256/DOX were observed. The growth of Walker 256 carcinosarcoma led to greater structural damage of the liver, kidneys and spleen in experimental animals compared with Walker 256/DOX strain. CONCLUSION: Tumor growth in rats with Walker 256/DOX leads to less pronounced changes in the biochemical parameters of rat blood plasma and morphological structure of internal organs compared with wild-type carcinosarcoma.

Effect of Apoptotic Neutrophils on the Production of Erythropoietin, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 in Cultures of Human Macrophages.

We studied the effect of apoptotic neutrophils on the production of erythropoietin, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 by GM-CSF-induced human macrophages. GM-CSF-induced macrophages spontaneously produce erythropoietin and secrete MMP-9 and TIMP-1. Polarization of these macrophages towards the M2-like phenotype after exposure to apoptotic neutrophils considerably increased the production of erythropoietin; the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio tended to increase under these conditions due to a decrease in TIMP-1.

Adsorptive therapy as a modificator for tumor-host interaction.

The potential of one of the adsorption methods, enterosorption (ES), using the new generation of carbon adsorbents to correct the negative manifestations of tumor-host interaction in the framework of paraneoplastic syndrome (PNS) as well as systemic toxicity of chemo- and radiation therapy, is discussed. The ES influence on the development of PNS was demonstrated in C57/BL6 mice with transplanted Lewis lung carcinoma. Two-week administration of carbon enterosorbents resulted in a significant suppression of metastasis and correction of tumor-related anemia, activation of granulocytic line in the bone marrow with nearly 3-fold enhancement of its mitotic activity. ES exerted a positive influence on the structural-morphologic indexes and regenerative potential of kidneys and liver, mitigated manifestations of oxidative stress, decreased the level of endogenous intoxication, increased resistance of erythrocyte membranes and decreased ligand loading of blood plasma transport proteins. The effect of ES on anticancer activity and toxic reactions of cisplatin (CP) was evaluated in Guerin carcinoma-bearing rats. ES reduced significantly creatinine and other kidney biochemical indexes elevated in the blood plasma of rats after CP treatment. ES attenuated dystrophic changes in the histological structure of internal organs (kidney, liver, spleen), caused by tumor growth and significantly aggravated under the influence of CP. Such changes were specially traced in the kidneys and well reflect the nephroprotective potential of ES. In rats irradiated with X-ray in sublethal dose, highly activated granulated carbonic enterosorbents facilitated the restoration of white blood cells and lymphocyte count. The results obtained confirm the insights of academician R.E. Kavetsky predicting the future of adsorptive detoxification with activated carbons in the treatment of cancer patients.

Allostimulatory activity as a criterion of the functional phenotype of human macrophages.

The functional phenotype of macrophages (Mφ) is determined by both differentiation factors and polarization stimuli. In mouse Mφ could be easily divided into the distinct Mφ subtypes. However, the identification of human M1 and M2 cells is much more difficult due to the lack of M1- or M2-specific markers. We assumed that the Mφ capacity to induce T cell proliferation in mixed leukocyte culture, or allostimulatory activity, may be a marker of Mφ functional phenotype. We compared the allostimulatory activity of Mφ differentiated with GM-CSF or M-CSF and polarized into M1, M2a, M2c subtypes using appropriate stimuli. GM-CSF-differentiated M1 Mφ showed pronounced allostimulatory activity whereas the polarization into M2a and M2c of GM-CSF-differentiated Mφ was associated with decreased allostimulatory activity. M-CSF-differentiated M1 Mφ demonstrated the moderate increasing of allostimulatory activity but its level has never reached that of GM-CSF-activated M1. The level of allostimulatory activity of M2a and M2c M-CSF-induced Mφ was comparable to that of GM-CSF-induced M2a and M2c Mφ. Thus, low allostimulatory activity is a common property of human M2a and M2c macrophages regardless of the differentiating factor and a polarizing stimulus and can be used to distinguish between M1 and M2 phenotypes.

Highly activated carbon enterosorbent mediates the suppression of paraneoplastic syndrome associated with Lewis lung carcinoma in mice.

AIM: To investigate the effect of enterosorption on the development of paraneoplastic syndrome in mice with Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was performed on male С57/ВL6 mice with transplanted LLC. As an enterosorbent, highly activated powder fraction of HSGD was administered per os daily at a dose of 0.625 g/kg for two weeks starting from the 7th day after tumor cell transplantation. Analysis of hemo- and myelograms, morphological alterations in vital organs, the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase, biochemical analysis of blood and quantitative analysis of hydroperoxides, malonic dialdehyde, аdvanced oxidation protein products was carried out by standard methods after completing the course of enterosorption. Ligand loading of blood plasma proteins was estimated by the method of differential scanning microcalorimetry. RESULTS: Administration of enterosorbent resulted in inhibition of LLC growth and in nearly 2-fold decrease of lung metastases number (p < 0.05). Activation of granulocytic line in the bone marrow with nearly 3-fold enhancement of mitotic activity took place after enterosorbent administration. Red cell lineage indices and bone marrow cellularity remained unaltered. After enterosorption session, the studied biochemical indices of peripheral blood evidenced on decreasing the endogenous intoxication and oxidative stress levels, improving the functional state of kidneys, increasing the resistance of erythrocyte membranes and lowering the ligand loading of blood plasma transport proteins. Morphological structure of kidneys and liver confirmed significant positive effect of enterosorption. The data of morphologic examination of gastric fundus, small intestine, and large bowel slides after 2-week administration of enterosorbent showed its high safety and proper evacuation from intestine. CONCLUSION: The two-week long enterosorption session in mice with LLC caused the suppression of tumor growth and metastasis, normalization of bone marrow hemopoiesis. Enterosorption exerted a positive influence on the structural-morphologic indexes and regenerative potential of kidneys and liver, mitigated manifestations of oxidative stress, decreased the level of endogenous intoxication, promoted deliganding of albumin molecule and deloading of erythrocyte membranes.

Establishment of transgenic lettuce plants producing potentially anti-hypertensive shRNA sequencing data.

Development of RNAi-based therapeutics is a fast growing field of pharmaceutical industry. Using plants for production of pharmaceutically valuable siRNAs may have significant advantages of cost-effectiveness, scalability and low risk of contamination with human pathogens. If edible plant species are genetically engineered to synthesize siRNAs, the costly stage of target product purification may be omitted. We describe the establishment of transgenic lettuce plants producing shRNA targeting delta isoform of protein kinase C (PKC-delta), an effective target for RNAi-based treatment of arterial hypertension. Transgenic lettuce plants were obtained by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation with genetic constructs harboring antiPKC and scrambled (control) shRNA genes. The presence of transgenes was proved by PCR analysis, and the accumulation of antiPKC shRNA was estimated using RT-qPCR technique. Six transgenic lettuce lines showed varying levels of antiPKC shRNA expression with the highest value reaching 14 ± 9 % of highly abundant endogenous lettuce micro RNA (miR156a), or 12.7 fmol/g dry weight. Plants carrying either antiPKC or scrambled shRNA genes flowered normally, but did not produce seeds. The described transgenic lettuce plants accumulating antiPKC siRNA are the subject for animal testing and can be considered as a raw material for the development of novel antihypertensive drugs.

Effects of Anti-CD206 Antibodies on Macrophage Functions in Male CBF1 Mice with Lipidemia.

The effects of anti-CD208 antibodies (mannose receptor) on functional characteristics of peritoneal macrophages were studied in intact mice and mice with lipidemia induced by poloxamer-407. Lipidemia was associated with suppression of phagocytosis and increase in spontaneous proliferative potential and NO production by macrophages. Anti-CD206 antibodies suppressed NO production by macrophages in mice with lipidemia.

Binding Potency of Heparin Immobilized on Activated Charcoal for DNA Antibodies.

In vitro experiments showed that heparin adsorbed on activated charcoal can bind antibodies raised against native and single-stranded DNA in a diluted sera pool with a high level of these DNA. Thus, heparin used as anticoagulant during hemosorption procedure can demonstrate supplementary therapeutic activity resulting from its interaction with various agents involved in acute and chronic inflammatory reactions such as DNA- and RNA-binding substances, proinflammatory cytokines, complement components, growth factors, etc. Research and development of heparin-containing carbonic adsorbents for the therapy of numerous inflammatory and autoimmune diseases seems to be a promising avenue in hematology.

The Phenotypic and Functional Features of Human M2 Macrophages Generated Under Low Serum Conditions.

The phenotypic and functional features of human M2 macrophages, in particular, their immunosuppressive activity, can considerably vary depending on M2 polarizing stimulus. This study was aimed at the investigation of cytokine production and pro-apoptogenic/inhibitory molecule expression in macrophages generated with GM-CSF using either standard conditions (M1) or deficiency of serum/growth factors (M2-LS cells). In contrast to M1, M2-LS cells were characterized by an enhanced content of CD206(+), B7-H1(+), FasL(+) and TRAIL(+) cells along with a decreased production of IFN-γ, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13, TNF-α, IL-17 and MCP-1. In addition, M2-LS exhibited a lower T cell stimulatory activity in MLC that was associated with the higher numbers of apoptotic and the lower numbers of proliferating T cells. B7-H1 plays a key role in M2-LS-mediated cytotoxic effects as the neutralization of B7-H1 reduces the apoptosis-inducing activity of M2-LS, while the blocking of CD206 and TRAIL reduces the cytostatic activity of M2 macrophages.

Cyp11A1 canola plants under short time heat stress conditions.

In order to investigate the high temperature tolerance of spring canola plants (Brassica napus L.) constitutively expressing cyp11A1 gene which encodes bovine cytochrome P450(scc) the growth features were analyzed under short time heat stress (42 degrees C) in growth chamber. Earlier it was documented that results of the heat tolerance test positively correlated with improvement of high temperature resistance in field trial. Higher relative water content (by 13%) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, lower electrolyte leakage (up 1.4-fold) and smaller increase in chlorophyll a and carotenoid contents in cyp11A1 canola leaves in comparison with wild-type plants under stress allowed to conclude cyp11A1 plants are more tolerant to high temperature than the control ones. We suppose that SOD activity increase which revealed in our transgenic canola in normal condition plays the defining role in the biochemical alterations in plant metabolism for the thermotolerance improvement. SOD activity increment could be caused by heterologous cytochrome P450(scc) activity which resulted in the superoxide radical formation. Cyp11A1 canola plants might be resistant to the other stress conditions of different origin.

Superoxide dismutase activity in transgenic canola.

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was investigated in leaves of transgenic canola plants which expressed heterologous genes of different origin, namely 1) herbicide resistance genes (bar and simultaneously bar and epsps); 2) DesC desaturase gene (desC) of cyanobacterium Synechococcus vulcanus; 3) human interferon alpha2b gene (huLFN-alpha2b); 4) esxA::fbpB(deltaTMD) fused gene, encoding ESAT-6 and Ag85b Mycobacterium tuberculosis proteins, inducing immune response against tuberculosis; 5) cyp11A1 gene of cytochrome P450(scc) from bovine adrenal cortex mitochondria. Introduction of herbicide resistance genes as well as desaturase gene of cyanobacterium and mycobacterium's genes did not change leaf SOD activity. At the same time it was shown that cyp11A1 and huIFN-alpha2b canola have increased leaf SOD activity up 58 and 33%, respectively, compared with control ones in non-stress conditions. It may be a prerequisite for improved resistance of these plants to the stressors of different origin.

Lox-dependent gene expression in transgenic plants obtained via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation.

Lox sites of the Cre/lox recombination system from bacteriophage P1 were analyzed for their ability to affect on transgene expression when inserted upstream from a gene coding sequence adjacent to the right border (RB) of T-DNA. Wild and mutated types of lox sites were tested for their effect upon bar gene expression in plants obtained via Agrobacterium-mediated and biolistic transformation methods. Lox-mediated expression of bar gene, recognized by resistance of transgenic plants to PPT, occurred only in plants obtained via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. RT-PCR analysis confirms that PPT-resistant phenotype of transgenic plants obtained via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation was caused by activation of bar gene. The plasmid with promoterless gus gene together with the lox site adjacent to the RB was constructed and transferred to Nicotiana tabacum as well. Transgenic plants exhibited GUS activity and expression of gus gene was detected in plant leaves. Expression of bar gene from the vectors containing lox site near RB allowed recovery of numerous PPT-resistant transformants of such important crops as Beta vulgaris, Brassica napus, Lactuca sativa and Solanum tuberosum. Our results demonstrate that the lox site sequence adjacent to the RB can be used to control bar gene expression in transgenic plants.

Enterosorption as a method to decrease the systemic toxicity of cisplatin.

UNLABELLED: A perspective adsorptive method to minimize systemic toxic effects of chemotherapy is enterosorption (ES). However, the capabilities of this method are far from being completely studied. The question remains opened - should ES be initiated in the first hours on completing cytostatic infusion without the risk of their anticancer activity to be decreased. AIM: to analyze ES influence on anticancer activity and toxic reactions of cisplatin (CP) upon the use of carbon enterosorbent in 1 h after intravenous administration of cytostatic. METHODS: CP at the dose of 1 mg/kg body weigh (BW) was administered to Guerin carcinoma-bearing rats each second day for two weeks. Enterosorbents on the basis of highly activated carbon fibers were administered by per os daily 1 h after CP injection. 3 days after the last CP administration the rats were weighted and blood under ether narcosis has been taken for biochemical examination. Tumors and innate organs were isolated, weighted, and fixed in 4% buffered formalin for morphologic examination. RESULTS: In rats administered with CP at the background of ES, BW loss was in 1.6 times lower than in animals after CP session. Relative kidney weight in CP-treated rats was 33.9% higher than in normal ones (p ≤ 0.05). No significant differences were detected between relative kidney weights in the CP + ES-treated and intact animals. Introduction of ES allowed prevent an 30% increase of creatinin content observed in blood plasma after CP treatment (р ≤ 0.05). Urea content was 1.7 times lower in blood plasma of CP + ES-treated rats than after CP treatment. CP caused significant toxic injuries in kidneys, liver, and spleen tissues. Morphologic structure of organs in rats treated with CP at the background of ES was affected at much lower degree. In tumors, large areas of newly formed connective tissue and blood vessels have been fixed after the CP+ES action instead of large necrotic area observed after CP treatment. ES caused insignificant suppression of Guerin carcinoma growth and had additional impact to inhibitory action of CP. CONCLUSION: Active carbon enterosorbents which are administrated just 1 h after CP administration possesses detoxicating potential sufficient for significant elimination of toxic effect of the cytostatic at the background of complete preservation of its antitumor activity.

Multiplex pcr assay for detection of human interferon alpha2b gene in transgenic plants.

During the last decade interferons are regarded as potent candidates for generation of plant-based edible vaccines because of broad spectrum of antiviral activities and adjuvant properties. Establishment and certification of numerous interferon producing plant systems requests development of fast and efficient multiplex PCR protocol for the transgene detection in GM plants. Here we represent a protocol for simultaneous amplification in one assay of fragments of hIFN alpha 2b gene and two control genes, namely virD1 of Agrobacterium tumefaciens and conservative region of plant actin gene.

Theoretical ground for adsorptive therapy of anthracyclines cardiotoxicity.

Anthracyclines play an important role in treatment of variety types of cancer due to their high effectiveness and broad spectrum of activity. However, a major limitation of their use is the dose-limiting cardiotoxicity. The inability to predict and prevent anthracycline cardiotoxicity is in part due to the fact that the molecular and cellular mechanisms remain controversial and incompletely understood. This review focuses on the biochemical basis of the anthracyclines toxic cardiac effects and pharmacological measures to their treatment and preventing. We describe the theoretical substantiation of the enterosorption abilities for diminishing of cardiac damage.

Creation of transgenic Brassica napus L. plants expressing human alpha 2b interferon gene.

Spring rapeseed transgenic lines expressing human interferon alpha 2b were created by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of aseptic plant leaf explants. The maximum antiviral activity of the leaf extracts reached 4500 IU/g fresh weight. It was determined that the antioxidant activity and the activity of an enzyme of plant antioxidant system--superoxide dismutase (SOD)--in the leaf tissues of transgenic plants increased compared to controls. There were no correlations between the interferon and antioxidant activities, as well as between SOD and interferon activities. Using the obtained transgenic rapeseed plants with high interferon and antioxidant activities as a feed additive for animals might have preventive effect on their body, increasing resistance to infections of various origins.