Mesenchymal stem cells lose the senescent phenotype under 3D cultivation.

BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture is widely used in various fields of cell biology. In comparison to conventional two-dimensional (2D) cell culture, 3D cell culture facilitates a more accurate replication of the in vivo microenvironment, which is essential for obtaining more relevant results. The application of 3D cell culture techniques in regenerative medicine, particularly in mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based research, has been extensively studied. Many of these studies focus on the enhanced paracrine activity of MSCs cultured in 3D environments. However, few focus on the cellular processes that occur during 3D cultivation. METHODS: In this work, we studied the changes occurring within 3D-cultured MSCs (3D-MSCs). Specifically, we examined the expression of numerous senescent-associated markers, the actin cytoskeleton structure, the architecture of the Golgi apparatus and the localization of mTOR, one of the main positive regulators of replicative senescence. In addition, we assessed whether the selective elimination of senescent cells occurs upon 3D culturing by using cell sorting based on autofluorescence. RESULTS: Our findings indicate that 3D-MSCs were able to lose replicative senescence markers under 3D cell culture conditions. We observed changes in actin cytoskeleton structure, Golgi apparatus architecture and revealed that 3D cultivation leads to the nuclear localization of mTOR, resulting in a decrease in its active cytoplasmic form. Additionally, our findings provide evidence that 3D cell culture promotes the phenotypic reversion of senescent cell phenotype rather than their removal from the bulk population. CONCLUSION: These novel insights into the biology of 3D-MSCs can be applied to research in regenerative medicine to overcome replicative senescence and MSC heterogeneity as they often pose significant concerns regarding safety and effectiveness for therapeutic purposes.

[Resection of a giant sacral schwannoma: case report and literature review]. / Udalenie gigantskoi nevrinomy v oblasti kresttsa: sluchai iz praktiki i obzor literatury.

Neurogenic sacral tumors are extremely rare. In most reported cases, this pathology was associated with neurofibromatosis. Sacral tumors manifest themselves at the stage when the neoplasm volume becomes giant, but these manifestations usually go unnoticed for the patient. Surgical approach to the sacral region is extremely challenging; intimate proximity of tumor capsule to vital organs, vessels, and nerves makes radical surgical treatment of these neoplasms rather difficult. A case report of radical resection of a schwannoma that was destroying the sacrum and continued to grow after radiotherapy is presented in this article.

[Complications of surgical treatment of sacral tumors]. / Oslozhneniia khirurgicheskogo lecheniia opukholei kresttsovoi lokalizatsii.

Sacral tumors are a group of neoplasms heterogeneous in the histological type, malignancy, and growth pattern, but with common localization. Surgical treatment of these tumors is associated with the risk of major and minor complications, both during and after surgery. Usually, any surgery aimed at removing tumors in the sacrum or sacral region is associated with the need for reconstruction of bones and/or soft tissues to provide conditions for normal wound healing and the possibility of activating the patient. AIM: The study aim was to analyze complications associated with surgery for sacral tumors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study is based on the experience of surgical treatment of 57 patients with the diagnosis of sacral tumor. The patients underwent 60 surgical interventions related to treatment of the underlying pathology and complications of surgical treatment. Major and minor complications developed in 37 (68%) operated patients. A total of 47 different complications were recorded. In 6 patients, complications in the early postoperative period required additional surgery. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment of sacral tumors is associated with a high risk of complications. Despite the potential risk of major complications, sacrectomy for primary, or potentially aggressive, or malignant neurogenic tumors of the sacrum is necessary to improve local control and survival of patients.

[Management of neurogenic tumors of the sacrum and sacral area]. / Taktika lecheniia neirogennykh opukholei kresttsa i kresttsovoi oblasti.

Tumors of the sacrum rarely occur in routine practice. Due to the absence of pathognomonic symptoms, the diagnosis often becomes apparent at a late disease stage. In this case, the treatment approach depends on the degree of tumor malignancy, growth pattern and location, and relationship between the tumor and the nervous structures, major vessels, and pelvic bones. OBJECTIVE: Analysis of the overall and relapse-free survival of patients with neurogenic tumors of the sacrum. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, we analyzed the treatment outcomes in 27 patients with neurogenic sacral tumors who underwent surgery at the Burdenko Neurosurgical Institute. RESULTS: The median survival time of patients with neurogenic tumors was 72 months; the shortest survival time was observed in a group of neurogenic sarcomas, with the mean survival time being 30 months. Malignant tumors of the peripheral nerves recurred in 100% of cases. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment of neurogenic tumors of the sacrum reduces pain, but does not lead to regression of the neurological symptoms caused by compression of the sacral plexus roots. Patients with malignant tumors of the sacrum should undergo partial or complete sacrectomy. In this case, the choice of treatment strategy should be based on assessment of the functional status, tumor histology, and somatic features of the patient.

[Results of surgical treatment for lumbar spine segmental instability]. / Rezul'taty khirurgicheskogo lecheniia nestabil'nosti pozvonochno-dvigatel'nogo segmenta poiasnichnogo otdela pozvonochnika.

AIM: To perform a comparative analysis of outcomes in patients with lumbar spine segmental instability who underwent surgical treatment using transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and direct lateral interbody fusion (DLIF) techniques. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The multicenter study involved 209 patients who underwent surgery for lumbar spine segmental instability. Long-term outcomes (up to 2 years) were studied in 134 patients: patients of the first group (98 patients) underwent traditional transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and transpedicular stabilization of vertebral segments; patients of the second group (36 patients) underwent direct lateral interbody fusion (DLIF) in combination with transpedicular stabilization of the lumbar vertebral segments. We used standard checkpoints for monitoring the patients' condition: before surgery, at discharge, at 3, 6 and, 9 months, and at 1 and 2 years after surgery. To follow-up the patients, we used the Visual Analogue Scale, Oswestry Disability Index, and Goal Attainment Scaling. RESULTS: A comparative analysis of the two interbody fusion techniques was enabled by the developed Vertebrologic Registry profile (http://spineregistry.ru/Register_treatment.php) that was designed for entering data of Russian and foreign experts to analyze clinical characteristics, evaluate outcomes, and follow-up patients with degenerative lumbosacral spine diseases. In both groups of patients, a significant decrease in the pain intensity in the lumbar spine and lower extremities (VAS) occurred in the immediate postoperative period, which persisted in the long-term period. There were no differences in the disability level (Oswestry index) in both groups of patients (p<0.05). An analysis of treatment goal attainments one year after surgery revealed the best result in patients of the second group who underwent DLIF. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Indirect decompression using direct lateral interbody fusion (DLIF) minimizes the risks of intraoperative injury to the dura mater and neural structures. Kawabata class I outcomes (good) were achieved in 89% of patients who underwent direct lateral spinal fusion (DLIF) and in 81% of patients who underwent transforaminal interbody stabilization in combination with transpedicular fixation.

[Postoperative applications of the fast track technology in patients with herniated intervertebral discs of the lumbosacral spine]. / Primenenie tekhnologii bystrogo vosstanovleniya posle khirurgicheskikh vmeshatel'stv u patsientov s gryzhami mezhpozvonkovykh diskov poyasnichno-kresttsovogo otdela pozvonochnika.

TOPICALITY: The fast track technology means a complex of targeted measures involving rational preoperative preparation, minimally invasive surgery, regional anesthesia and short-acting anesthetics, and early postoperative rehabilitation. Elucidating the possibility of applying the fast track technology in neurosurgery, in particular in spinal surgery, is extremely topical. This is associated with the epidemiological data and the fact that minimally invasive techniques used in neurosurgery are highly expensive. AIM: The study objective was implementation of the fast track technology and subsequent analysis of its use after surgery in patients with herniated intervertebral discs of the lumbosacral spine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The fast track technology following spinal surgery was implemented at the Clinical Hospital of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation and the Neurosurgical Department of the Clinical Hospital № 1 of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation using an algorithm of technology application. The study included 48 patients who underwent surgical treatment for herniated intervertebral discs of the lumbosacral spine between January and July 2015. RESULTS: An analysis of pain severity using the Visual Analog Scale demonstrated a slight decrease (10%) in a group of patients who were subjected to the fast track technology, at discharge and at 1 month after surgery; there was no difference in longer follow-up. An analysis of the functional status using the Oswestry index and Roland-Morris scale demonstrated that patients of the study group had faster and more efficient recovery and an improvement of the functional activity by 20% (p<0.05) compared to those in the control group. An analysis of patient-reported assessment of treatment quality revealed that indicators, such as awareness and pain control, in the study group were highest and amounted to 95% and higher. An analysis of the hospital stay duration showed a decrease in the number of bed-days in an integrated group by 39%, which saved 34 bed-days. CONCLUSION: The fast track technology reduces the degree of surgical aggression, increases surgery safety, and decreases the number of intraoperative complications and hospital stay duration.

[PREDICTING, POSSIBLE WAYS TO REDUCE AND CORRECTION OF MASSIVE INTRAOPERATIVE BLOOD LOSS IN SPINAL TUMOR SURGERY].

The paper discusses the problem ofpredicting, prevention and therapy of massive intraoperative blood loss in patients with metastasis in spine and spinal cord. We analyze 60 surgical cases in last 14 years in our clinic. Amount of blood loss was more that 80% of total blood volume in each case (from 2.5 to 17 liters). Preoperative selective angiography data on intensity of tumor blood supply were essential for blood loss prediction. Simultaneous embolization oftumor during angiography dramatically reduced intraoperative blood loss. Combination of blood saving techniques (preoperative autodonation, acute normovolemic hemodilution and intraoperative cell salvage) led to effective compensation of blood volume deficit and minimizing of allogenic blood transfusion. Plasma-derived and recombinant factors were effective in management of hemostatic disorders associated with massive blood loss.

[ULTRASTRUCTURAL CHANGES OF THE STEM CELLS IN THE CYCLE MONOLAYER--SPHERES--MONOLAYER].

Sphere formation can be used to prepare stem cells (SCs) prior to transplantation. Here SCs isolated from human subepicardial adipose tissue were analyzed at different stages of the monolayer-spheres-monolayer cycle by transmission electron microscopy. The results obtained with both adherent-induced and hanging-drop induced spheres were similar. At first 2-3 passages (stage 1), isolated SCs displayed embryonal cell-like ultrastructure. With increasing passage times (stage 2), SCs became bigger and more electron-dark with a multilobed nucleus, well-developed rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), prominent Golgi apparatus and numerous vacuoles. After 2 h from the initiation of the formation of spheres (stage 3), SCs gathered into clusters and formed desmosome-like intercellular contacts. Their nucleus possessed a large loose fibrillo-granular nucleoli, the cytoplasm was densely packed with disintegrated cisternae of RER, Golgi apparatus was not detected. After 24 h from the initiation of spheres (stage 4), SCs in well-formed spheres exhibited large dense nucleoli and poorly developed Golgi apparatus and RER. One day after sphere dissociating (stage 5), SCs were embryonal cell-like and morphologically similar to the cells of the first stage except for the presence of a large nucleolus and numerous Golgi complexes. After 48 h from sphere dissociating (stage 6), SCs became electron-dark and resembled the SCs of the second stage by the presence of irregularly shaped nuclei and the cetoplasm filled with RER. We interpreted the results as senescence of the SCs with the number of passages after isolation from tissue and a day after dissociation of the spheres and as rejuvenation of the SCs just after sphere dissociation. Further research is needed to reveal the genetic, biochemical and physiological parameters of the SCs on established morphologically distinct stages in order to provide higher-quality cellular material for disease cell therapy.

[The use of intraoperative neuroimaging tools and a navigation system in surgical treatment of primary and metastatic tumors of the spine].

INTRODUCTION: Surgical treatment of spinal tumors is associated with a high risk of intraoperative complications, including injury to the spinal cord, its roots, and large vessels both during tumor resection and at the stabilization stage during implantation of pedicular or corporal screws. The use of intraoperative neuroimaging tools and a navigation system in surgical treatment of oncological diseases of the spine enables identifying the location and extension of a tumor lesion directly in the operating room, which provides control of the resection area and the possibility of the spine stabilization under disturbed anatomy conditions when bone density is altered by the osteolytic process or systemic changes. Also, the risk of injury to the major blood vessels is reduced. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Surgical treatment of 156 patients with primary and metastatic tumors of the spine was performed at the Burdenko Neurosurgical Institute in the period from 2002 to December 2014. Twelve patients underwent diagnostic intervention (transcutaneous biopsy), and 35 patients underwent surgery using intraoperative CT and a navigation systems. The indication for biopsy using both CT and the navigation system was the presence of a spinal tumor not verified by a pathomorphological examination. An O-arm intraoperative computed tomography scanner and a Medtronic's StealthStation S7 Navigation System were used in all cases. CONCLUSION: The use of both CT and the navigation system provides high quality treatment and significantly reduces radiation exposure to the medical personnel and patient. The possibility of intraoperative identification of the location and extension of a tumor in bone tissue facilitates adequate tumor resection within the intact surgical margin, with the surrounding vessels and neurological structures being under real-time control.

[Spinal stroke in a pregnant female with an endodermal cyst of the cervical spinal cord (a case report and literature review)]. / Ostroe narushenie spinal'nogo krovoobrashcheniya u beremennoi s endodermal'noi kistoi sheinogo otdela spinnogo mozga (sluchai iz praktiki i obzor literatury).

AIM: The study purpose was to present a clinical case of spinal stroke in a pregnant female, which was caused by an endodermal cyst of the cervical spinal cord, and to analyze treatment tactics. RESULTS: A 20 week pregnant female presented with acute transverse spinal cord injury at the of C3-C5 spinal segment level. CT revealed an extramedullary space-occupying lesion in the ventrolateral position, with compression of the spinal cord at this level. The patient in the state of progressive deterioration with respiratory failure was transferred to the Neurosurgical Institute on the 5th day after disease onset. The patient underwent surgery on the 7th day after disease onset. Doctors of various specialties participated in preparation for surgery. During surgery, total resection of the space-occupying lesion and spinal cord decompression were performed. An obstetrician-gynecologist conducted intraoperative fetal monitoring by ultrasound. The histological diagnosis was an endodermal cyst. There was no improvement of neurological symptoms in the early postoperative period. After stabilization of the condition, the patient was discharged for follow-up care at the place of residence. According to the follow-up report, the patient underwent the cesarean section because of exacerbation of lung infection and a significant delay in the fetal development. After a few days, the patient died due to multiple organ failure. The child was alive, in serious condition, under mechanical ventilation. CONCLUSION: In the case of spinal stroke, the decision on treatment tactics should be made no later than 12 hours after its onset; otherwise, the outcome is usually unfavorable, and a neurological deficit is irreversible. The decision about continuing pregnancy should be made individually in each case, and an approach to the choice of appropriate treatment tactics should be multi-disciplinary.

[Extradural spinal cord hemangioblastoma (a case report and literature review)]. / Ekstradural'naya gemangioblastoma spinnogo mozga (sluchai iz praktiki i obzor literatury).

Hemangioblastoma is a rare CNS vascular tumor that develops sporadically and can also be associated with von Hippel-Lindau disease. Hemangioblastomas account for 2-6% of all spinal cord tumors and are ranked third in the structure of intramedullary space-occupying lesions of the spinal cord. For the first time in our practice, we observed a dumbbell paravertebral hemangioblastoma. The international literature reports only 3 cases of the tumor with this growth type.

[Modern treatments for degenerative disc diseases of the lumbosacral spine. A literature review]. / Sovremennye metody lecheniia degenerativnykh zabolevanii mezhpozvonkovogo diska. Obzor literatury.

Many researchers consider degenerative diseases of the spine as a pandemic of the XXIst century. Herniated intervertebral discs of the lumbosacral spine occur in 61% of patients with degenerative spine diseases. Of these, 15% of patients have herniated discs at the LII-LIII level, 10% of patients at the LIII-LIV level, and 40% of patients at the LIV-LV and LV-SI levels. A high cost of conservative treatment of degenerative spine disease symptoms and its low efficacy in reducing the intensity and duration of pain necessitate the development of new methods of surgical treatment. In this paper, we analyze the literature data on minimally invasive spine surgery and demonstrate the main advantages of percutaneous endoscopic surgical techniques.

[Vertebrology 2.0: an automatic virtual consultation system].

UNLABELLED: The use of computer information and Internet technologies to solve clinical problems becomes trivial but is still a topical and promising direction closely related to the «Healthcare 2.0¼ concept. The methodology for developing virtual patient consultation systems is associated with the capabilities to process obtained data and optimize the choice of optimal tactics for further treatment, taking opportunities of the Internet. The study objective was to develop an automatic virtual consultation system for patients with spine and spinal cord diseases on the basis of the online vertebrologi.ru portal. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 33 signs with different answer variants were selected for advising. On the basis of these signs, an expert advised more than 170 patients. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: On the basis of consultation analysis, a set of rules was developed to automatically generate a consultation text, depending on selected sign values. Currently, the automatic virtual consultation system, which was developed jointly by the Institute for Systems Analysis, Burdenko Neurosurgical Institute, and Volynskaya Clinical Hospital №1, operates online on the vertebrologi.ru portal as one of its modules.

[Comprehensive assessment of the outcomes of surgical treatment of patients with metastatic spinal cord injuries].

INTRODUCTION: Every year the number of cancer patients increases due to increased life expectancy. According to various sources, metastases in the spine are found during autopsy in 30-90% of patients with a history of cancer. So far, there have been no full-scale studies of the quality of life of patients with various metastatic tumors of the spine who underwent surgical treatment in Russian literature. The main objective of this study was to demonstrate the need for implementing the comprehensive treatment of patients with metastases in the spine and target setting as the main tool to identify the factors that adversely affect the patients' quality of life. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The quality of life of 56 patients aged 16 to 81 years was assessed, including 26 males and 30 females. Twenty-six patients underwent surgical treatment between 2002 and 2009, and thirty patients underwent surgical treatment between 2009 and 2014. Kidney cancer was a primary disease in 30.3% of patients, multiple myeloma was a primary disease in 23.1% of cases, and the primary source of a tumor was not identified in cancer screening in 10.5% of cases. There were also isolated cases of melanoma, thymoma, metastases of tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, uterus, ovary, lung, prostate, pancreas, and the thyroid gland, which on the average amounted to 3.5% (1.8 to 7.14%). The quality of life of patients was studied using the EORTC QLQ C30 scale. The patients were surveyed prior to the surgery and then 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgical treatment during 1 year or until death. Preoperative and postoperative contrast-enhanced SCT and MRI examinations were used to control the extent of decompression of neural structures. RESULTS: On the basis of these findings, the authors identified the main factors affecting the quality of life of patients and formulated a range of treatment goals for patients with metastases in the spine. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment has a positive effect on the quality of life of patients with metastases in the spine. However, it is not a key factor in the context of survival rate of these patients. Therefore, a decision on the possibility and necessity of surgical treatment should be taken in cooperation with the patient and oncologists of different specialties.

[Comparative characteristics of the stem cells isolated from subcutaneous and subepicardial adipose tissue].

BACKGROUND: Stem cells (SCs) considerably vary in morphological, immunophenotypic, proliferative, and differentiation characteristics depending on their tissue source. The comparative analysis of their biological properties is essential for the optimal choice of SCs for regenerative therapies. METHODS: Using immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry, histochemistry and real-time RT-PCR, we have investigated SCs obtained from human subepicardial (SEC-AT) and subcutaneous (SC-AT) adipose tissue and cultured under similar culture conditions without any differentiation-promoting factors. RESULTS: The cultures were similar in the high proportion of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive cells. In both cultures, immunophenotyping has revealed high expression of mesenchymal stem cell surface markers CD29, CD44, CD73, and CD105, low expression of CD31, CD34 and CD45, and wide variability in CD117, CD146 and CD309 expression. The only distinction in CD marker profile was significantly lower expression of CD90 in SCs from SEC-AT. Histochemical analysis has shown the lack of Oil Red O-positive cells in both cultures and about ten-fold higher number of alkaline phosphatase-positive cells among SCs from SC-AT. In the both cultures, immunocytochemistry has detected similar low expression of slow myosin heavy chain marker MAB1628 and smooth muscle actin marker α-hSMA. Gap junctional protein Connexin-43 expression was markedly higher in SCs from SC-AT, and epithelial cell marker Cytokeratin-19 expression was detected only in these cells. By RT-PCR, GATA4 mRNA was found to be highly expressed only in SCs from SEC-AT. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that SC-AT, as compared with SEC-AT, is richer in epithelial cell and osteogenic progenitors. In turn, SEC-AT possesses cardiomyogenic SCs, and can be considered as an alternative to SC-AT as a source of SCs for cell cardiotherapy.

[Influence of unilayered and multilayered liposomes containing fatty-acid complex Bien upon phagocyte activity in rat alveolar macrophages].

The phagocyte activity of rat alveolar macrophages and their primary culture under the interaction with liposomes containing unsaturated fatty acid complex Bien has been studied in vitro. Quantitative dependence of the phagocyte number and phagocyte factor on the liposomal Bien concentration were estimated. Comparative analysis of the effects of multilayered and unilayered liposomes with Bien upon cell suspension has been carried out.

[Experience of using an intraoperative cone beam computed tomography scanner and the modern navigation system in surgical treatment of spine and spinal cord disorders].

UNLABELLED: Spine disorders are a highly relevant problem in neurosurgical pathology. The development of diagnostic imaging methods makes it possible to perform intraoperative computed tomography. A special intraoperative cone beam computed tomography scanner "O-arm" has been designed; it combines a function of a C-arm machine and computer tomography scanner. The O-arm system can be used along with navigation system and robotic assistance device. Availability of these devices in an operating room allowed us to study the effectiveness and features of intraoperative CT imaging. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the intraoperative use a cone beam computed tomography scanner "O-arm" and the navigation system in surgical treatment of spine disorders. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In August-November 2013, 43 patients with degenerative spine disorders, spine and spinal canal tumors underwent surgeries at the N.N. Burdenko Neurosurgical Institute using an intraoperative computed tomography scanner "O-arm" and the navigation system. RESULTS: It is reasonable to use intraoperative CT "O-arm" device with the navigation system when surgical treatment is performed under complex anatomical conditions (a thin root of the vertebral arch, scoliotic or post-traumatic spinal deformity) and the surgery zone cannot be visualized using 2D imaging methods. Intraoperative CT control and navigation system can be employed by neurosurgeons in clinics where the standard stabilizing surgeries and percutaneous methods either are employed rarely or have just started to be used. CONCLUSIONS: The use of an intraoperative CT device "O-arm" with the modern navigation system for surgical treatment of spine and spinal cord disorders allows one to perform surgical interventions under complex anatomical conditions, reduces the absorbed radiation dose, and is safe for patients.

[Intradural extramedullary myxoma at the L1 level].

Myxoma of the peripheral nerve sheath is a rare benign tumor with predominant localization in the upper extremities, head, neck, and chest. In this study, we reported a clinical case of a patient with intradural myxoma at the L1 level. Much attention was given to histological characterization of the tumor and differential diagnosis of histological types of benign extramedullary tumors. A conclusion was drawn that patients with myxoma need further thorough examination as there is a risk of generalization of tumor process.

[The presence and localization of heat shock protein 70 in rat mast cells].

Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) is considered not only as a cytosolic stress protein, but also as an extracellular molecule with immunomodulatory and signaling functions that play a role in adaptation to stress on cellular and systemic levels. The active involvement of mast cells in adaptation to stress may be associated with the presence of Hsp70 in secretory granules. Using immunoelectron microscopy, we showed that Hsp70 localized in secretory granules of rat pericardial and peritoneal mast cells. Localization of Hsp70 in rat perinoneal mast cells isolated by centrifugation on Percoll was confirmed by immunoblotting. The proposed involvement of mast cells in production of extracellular Hsp70 and possible functions of Hsp70 inside the mast cells granules are discussed.

Phagocytic activity of alveolar macrophages in the presence of liposomal "biene".

Phagocytic activity of alveolar macrophages isolated from rat bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was studied during their reaction with multilamellar liposomes containing biene (a complex of unsaturated fatty acids). Liposomes with incorporated biene significantly stimulated phagocytic activity of freshly isolated macrophages and primary culture of these cells (judging from the increase in phagocytic index and phagocytic number). A quantitative relationship between the phagocytic number and phagocytic index, on the one hand, and the concentration of liposomal biene, on the other, was detected. The effects of liposomes containing incorporated biene, liposomes of similar composition without biene, and pure biene substance on cell suspension were compared.