Endothelial Progenitor Cells and Notch-1 Signaling as Markers of Alveolar Endothelium Regeneration in Pulmonary Emphysema.

We studied the effects of elastase, cigarette smoke extract, D-galactosamine hydrochloride, and tyrosine kinase inhibitor SU5416 on endothelial progenitor cells and angiogenesis precursors, as well as on Notch-1 expression by immature endothelial cells. Simultaneously with pulmonary emphysema, different damaging factors with diverse mechanisms of action caused pathological changes in the microvascular network of the lungs and destroyed the alveolar endothelium in female C57Bl/6 mice. D-galactosamine hydrochloride disturbed mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells expressing VEGFR (CD45-CD309+) and angiogenesis progenitors (CD45-CD309+CD117+) and their migration into emphysema expanded lungs. Elastase inhibited VEGFR-expressing endothelial progenitor cells, while cigarette smoke extract inhibited cells with CD45-CD31+CD34+ phenotype. In pulmonary emphysema provoked by elastase or D-galactosamine hydrochloride, angiogenesis was provided by endothelial cells with CD45-CD31+CD34+ phenotype, whereas in emphysema modeled with SU5416 or cigarette smoke extract, it was provided by the endothelial VEGFR-expressing cells and mature CD31+ endothelial cells, respectively. Replenishment of immature endothelial cells damaged by elastase and SU5416 involved Notch-1+ angiogenesis precursors and Notch-1+ endothelial progenitor cells with VEGFR.

Regenerative Potential of Spermatogonial Stem Cells, Endothelial Progenitor Cells, and Epithelial Progenitor Cells of C57Bl/6 Male Mice with Metabolic Disorders.

The properties of spermatogonial stem cells, endothelial progenitor cells, and the epithelial progenitors of C57Bl/6 mice under conditions of metabolic disorders were studied using the model of busulfan-induced suppression of spermatogenesis and in vitro culture technique. Spermatogonial stem cells CD117-CD90+ and epithelial progenitors CD45-CD31-Sca-1+CD49f+ derived from the testes of mice with metabolic disturbances demonstrated 17- and 28-fold increase in the respective cell mass and generated cell colonies in vitro. In contrast, spermatogonial stem cells with immune phenotype CD51-CD24+CD52+ had reduced selfrenewal capacity. Spermatogonial stem cells CD117-CD90+ and CD117+CD90+ as well as endothelial progenitors CD45-CD31+ derived from the testes of donor mice with metabolic disorders demonstrated high transplantation capacity in C57Bl/6 mouse testes damaged by cytostatic busulfan.

Regenerative Potential of Stem and Progenitor Cells from Ischemic Testes of C57Bl/6 Mice in Culture and in the Model of Spermatogenesis Suppression Caused by Busulfan.

The regenerative potential of stem and progenitor cells from ischemic testes of C57Bl/6 mice was studied in vitro (cell culture) and in vivo (mouse model of busulfan-induced suppression of spermatogenesis). Spermatogonial stem cells with phenotypes CD117-CD90+ and CD51-CD24+CD52+ from ischemic testes demonstrated 33-fold and 7-fold increments of cell mass and generated colonies in vitro. Epithelial (CD45-CD31-Sca-1+CD49f+) and endothelial (CD45-CD31+) precursors exhibited lower self-renewal capacity. On day 30 after injection of stem and progenitor cells from ischemic testes to the rete testis zone of the testes of busulfantreated animals, an increase in the count of CD117-CD90+ spermatogonial stem cells, total count, and mobile sperm count in the testes of recipient mice was observed. In addition, we observed an increase in Sca-1+ cell count, recovery of the spermatogenic epithelium in the seminiferous tubules, and appearance of immature Leydig cells in "busulfan" testes; the level of tissue testosterone and fertility index also increased.

[The characteristics of microbiota of periodontal recesses in smoking patients with chronic generalized periodontitis].

The clinical examination of 36 tobacco smokers with chronic generalized periodontitis of light, average and severe degree was carried out. The examination established poor hygienic condition of oral cavity, less expressed inflammatory reaction of tissues of periodont and predominance of occurrences of destruction of alveolar portion of bone as compared with the group of 59 non-smoking patients with chronic generalized periodontitis of light, average and severe degree. The study demonstrated higher rate of detection of T. forsythia in smokers as compared with non-smoking patients at all stages of of development of chronic generalized periodontitis. Under light stage of chronic generalized periodontitis increasing of rate of detection of T. forsythia more than twice was registered. P.gigngivalis and P.intermedia were detected in smoking patients with light stage of chronic generalized periodontitis either in the same values or more rarely as compared with non-smokers. In the group of smokers with average stage of chronic generalized periodontitis increasing of rate of occurrence of association of T. forsythia-P. gigngivalis-P. intermedia occurred more than five times in comparison with non-smokers. The obtained results indicate on relationship between alterations of microbiota and aggressive development of chronic generalized periodontitis in smoking patients and on development in periodontal recesses of smokers of favorable conditions for growth of T. forsythia. The presence of T. forsythia is a significant factor of development of destructive processes in tissues of periodont.

Response of Stem and Progenitor Cells to Testicular Ischemia.

Stem and progenitor cells were studied on mouse model of testicular ischemia. Testicular ischemia led to a decrease in free testosterone concentration. Hemodynamic changes, interstitial edema, and destruction of spermatogenic epithelium, Leydig, and Sertoli cells were observed in the testicular tissue. Accumulation of degenerative germ cells was accompanied by reduction in the count of spermatogonial stem cells with immunophenotype CD117(-)CD29(+)CD90(+) and CD117(+)CD29(+)CD90(+). Simultaneously with pathomorphological changes in the testes and suppression of spermatogenesis, ischemia reduced the count of hematopoietic progenitor cells, hematopoietic stem cells with immunophenotype Lin(-)CD117(+)Sca-1(+)c-kit(+)CD34(+) and Lin(-)CD117(+)Sca-1(+)c-kit(+)CD34(-), and multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (CD45(-)CD31(-) CD90(+)CD106(+)) in the testicular tissue. The population of CD45(-)CD31(+)-endothelial cells in ischemic testicular tissue increased.

Response of Inflammatory Mediators, Extracellular Matrix Proteins and Stem and Progenitor Cells to Emphysema.

Inflammation, extracellular matrix proteins (hydroxyproline, connective tissue growth factor, collagen, and fibronectin), stem and progenitor cells (multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells, Clara cells, angiogenesis, precursors, endothelial and epithelial cells) were studied in female C57Bl/6 mice with experimental elastase-induced emphysema. Diffuse emphysema reduced the number of endothelial (CD45(-)CD31(+)CD34(+)) and epithelial (CD45(-)CD117(+)CD49f(+)) cells, induced microcirculation disturbances, and decreased the area occupied by the connective tissue. Emphysematous changes in the lungs were accompanied by infiltration of the alveolar septa with macrophages and lymphocytes, increase in the serum and lung concentrations of transforming growth factor-ß, IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13, and lung concentration of IL-17. In the lungs, inflammation was associated with marked increase in the number of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells CD90(+)CD73(+)CD106(+)CD44(+)) and Clara cells (CD45(-)CD34(-)CD31(-)Sca1(+)) and overexpression of extracellular matrix proteins (hydroxyproline, connective tissue growth factor, collagen, fibronectin) and Clara cells protein. On the other hand, elastase reduced the number of angiogenic precursor cells (CD45(-)CD117(+)Flk1(+)).

Studying the General Toxicity and Cumulative Properties of a Radiopharmaceutical Nanocolloid, (99m)Tc-Al2O3.

We studied toxicity of a new Russian radiopharmaceutical Nanocolloid, (99m)Tc-Al2O3. Tests for acute toxicity showed that this agent belongs to a class of moderate-toxicity substances and does not have cumulative properties. The evaluation of subchronic toxicity after subcutaneous injection of this product to rats (0.04, 0.2, and 0.4 ml/kg) and rabbits (0.02 and 0.2 ml/kg) for 7 days did not reveal changes in the general state, temperature, body weight, indices of the peripheral blood and bone marrow, functions of the heart, liver, kidneys, and nervous system, and morphological characteristics of the internal organs in animals. The drug does not produce a local irritant effect.

Plant Polysaccharides Attenuate Fluorouracil Toxicity for the Small Intestinal Epithelium.

Polysaccharides from Tussilago farfara L., Acorus calamus L., and Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench attenuated the toxic effect of fl uorouracil on the small intestinal epithelium of mice with Lewis lung carcinoma. Addition of polysaccharides to chemotherapy protocols stimulated reparative regeneration processes in the small intestine damaged by the cytostatic treatment. No stimulating effects of the polysaccharides on tumor growth and metastasizing were revealed.

Role of Hematopoietic Stem Cells in Inflammation of the Pancreas during Diabetes Mellitus.

The model of streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus in C57Bl/6 mice was employed to study the role of precursors of insulin-producing ß-cells, hematopoietic stem cells, and progenitor hematopoietic cells in inflammation. In addition to provoking hyperglycemia, streptozotocin elevated serum levels of IL-1ß and hyaluronic acid, induced edema in the pancreatic insular tissue and its infiltration by inflammatory cells (neutrophils, lymphocytes, and macrophages) and fibroblasts. Inflammation in pancreatic islets was accompanied by necrotic processes and decreasing counts of multipotent progenitor ß-cells (CD45(-), TER119(-), c-kit-1(-), and Flk-1(-)), oligopotent progenitor ß-cells (CD45(-), TER119(-), CD133(+), and CD49f(low)), and insulinproducing ß-cells (Pdx1(+)). Pancreatic infl ammation was preceded by elevation of the number of short-term hematopoietic stem cells (Lin-Sca-1(+)c-kit(+)CD34(+)) relative to long-term cells (Lin(-)Sca-1(+)c-kit(+)CD34(-)) in the bone marrow as well as recruitment of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells into circulation. Transplantation of bone marrow hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells from diabetic C57Bl/6 donor mice to recipient CBA mice with 5-fluorouracilinduced leukopenia accelerated regeneration of granulocytopoiesis in recipient mice.

Comparative evaluation of the efficiency of prostatotropic agents of natural origin in experimental benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Comparative evaluation of the efficiency of prostatotropic agents was carried out in rat experiments. Serenoa repens plant preparation and polypeptides isolated from the cattle prostate were used for the treatment of benign hyperplasia. Drugs in parallel with sulpiride similarly led to shrinkage of the acinar epithelial area and to emergence of a trend to an increase of the stromal/epithelial proportion, more so after Serenoa repens treatment.

Differentiation of mesenchymal multipotent stromal cells of the lungs in pneumofibrosis.

We studied differentiation of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MMSC) of the lungs of C57Bl/6 mice with bleomycin-induced pneumofibrosis. Adherent mononuclear cells found in mouse lungs demonstrated mesenchymal phenotype and expressed CD44, CD73, CD90, and CD106, but not CD31, CD34, and CD45. The cells with MMSC characteristics differentiate in vitro into various cells of stromal lines (chondrocytes, osteogenic cells, adipocytes, and fibroblasts). Bleomycin increased the growth rate of MMSC and selectively promoted their differentiation towards fibroblast cells.

Antifibrotic activity of hyaluronidase immobilized on polyethylenoxide under conditions of bleomycin-induced pneumofibrosis.

Hyaluronidase immobilized on polyethylenoxide obtained by electron bean synthesis was administered intranasally and intravenously to C57Bl/6 mice after intratracheal bleomycin and the enzyme effects on the development of pneumofibrosis in animals were studied. Intranasal immobilized hyaluronidase prevented connective tissue growth in the lungs exposed to bleomycin and virtually did not modulate the infiltration of the alveolar and alveolar duct interstitium by inflammatory cells (lymphocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, plasma cells). The antifibrotic effect developed sooner after intranasal inoculation of immobilized hyaluronidase and was more pronounced than after intranasal native hyaluronidase. Intravenous injection of immobilized hyaluronidase did not modify the inflammatory process and deposition of collagen fibrils in the lung parenchyma in pneumofibrosis.

Effect of antiserotonin drug on the development of lung fibrosis and blood system reactions after intratracheal administration of bleomycin.

The effects of antiserotonin preparation on the development of the connective tissue in the lungs, reaction of the blood system, and the content of hemopoietic stem cells, committed hemopoietic and stromal precursors in BM, spleen, and peripheral blood were studied on C57Bl/6 mice with experimental toxic lung fibrosis caused by intratracheal administration of bleomycin. It was demonstrated that the antiserotonin drug inhibits the growth of the connective tissue in the lungs and attenuates the course inflammatory process primarily due to inhibition of the granulocytic lineage, which was related to suppression of hemopoietic stem cells. Reduced content of the stromal precursor cells in BM and spleen was noted.

Antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory activity of a neuroleptic drug on the model of pulmonary fibrosis.

The effect of course treatment with neuroleptic haloperidol on the inflammatory response and state of the connective tissue in the lungs of C57Bl/6 mice was studied on the model of toxic pulmonary fibrosis induced by intratracheal administration of bleomycin. This neuroleptic decreased the inflammatory response and reduced the growth of the connective tissue in the lungs. The anti-inflammatory effect of haloperidol is related to a decrease in activity of bone marrow hemopoietic stem cells and committed hemopoietic precursors. The antifibrotic effect of this drug is associated with inhibition of mesenchymal precursor cells.

[Effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on experimental bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis].

The influence of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) has been studied on a model of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. It is established that G-CSF significantly increases infiltration of alveolar and alveolar duct interstitium by inflammation cells (lymphocytes, neutrophils, plasmocytes) and increases collagen deposition in lung under conditions of bleomycin introduction. Simultaneously with profibrotic and anti-inflammation effects, G-CSF increased the content of granulocyte cells in the bone marrow and peripheral blood, which was related to the stimulation of committed granulocyte precursors in the bone marrow.

Reactions of the blood system and stem cells in bleomycin-induced model of lung fibrosis.

On the model of toxic diffuse pulmonary fibrosis induced by intratracheal administration of bleomycin, we studied reactions of the blood system, content of stem cells, committed hemopoietic and stromal progenitor cells in the bone marrow, spleen and peripheral blood of C57Bl/6 mice. It was shown that the development of diffuse pulmonary fibrosis was accompanied by hyperplasia of bone marrow hemopoiesis and leukocytosis in the peripheral blood. Activation of the erythroid and granulocytic hemopoietic stems was related to stimulation of hemopoietic stem cells (polypotent cells, granulocyte/erythroid/macrophage/megakaryocyte precursor cells) and committed erythroid and myeloid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. At the same time, the number of stromal precursors increased. Bleomycin increased the count of hemopoietic stem cells the peripheral blood and spleen and reduced the content of mesenchymal stem cells in the spleen and bone marrow.

Mechanisms of hepatoprotective effect of immobilized granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.

The effect of immobilized granulocyte CSF on morphological characteristics and functional state of the liver was studied during chronic toxic hepatitis. The mechanisms of the therapeutic action of this agent were evaluated. The product had a strong hepatoprotective effect and exhibited the antiinflammatory and antisclerotic properties. The mechanism of activation of reserve systems for cell renewal (involved in restoration of the liver tissue) is probably related to an increase in proliferative activity of early precursor cells in the bone marrow, mobilization of these cells into the peripheral circulation, and directed homing into the liver tissue where they activate local regenerative mechanisms and prevent hepatocyte destruction. It should be emphasized that the concentration of SDF-1 increases in the liver tissue, but decreases in the bone marrow. These changes create the concentration gradient, which determines the migration of undifferentiated precursor cells to the liver.

[Hepatotoxicity of antineoplastic agents].

The influence of various antineoplastic preparations (farmorubicin, paclitaxel, etoposide, platidiam) on morphological and functional status of the liver in experimental animals was studied. It is shown, that all these antineoplastic drugs possess strong hepatotoxic activity and thereby cause toxic hepatitis and increase activity of hepatic enzymes. Biochemical parameters were normalized within 30 days after treatment whereas morphological changes persisted somewhat longer.

Toxic effect of an antitumor drug paclitaxel on morphofunctional characteristics of the liver in rats.

Single intravenous injection of paclitaxel to rats in a maximum tolerated dose of 4.6 mg/kg was accompanied by permanent structural and functional changes in the liver. The observed changes were typical of nonspecific reactive hepatitis: infiltration with lymphocytes and macrophages, pyknosis, and focal fatty degeneration of hepatocytes. Liver enzyme activity increased in blood plasma.

Mechanisms of therapeutic effects of granulocytic colony-stimulating factor in experimental diabetes mellitus.

We studied the mechanisms of therapeutic effects of granulocytic colony-stimulating factor in experimental diabetes mellitus. It was found that this preparation increased the number of mesenchymal precursor cells in the bone marrow and peripheral blood with subsequent increase in the content of progenitor cells in the pancreas. These results attest to mobilization of mesenchymal progenitor cells and their migration into the damaged tissue accompanied by morphofunctional recovery of the insulin-producing apparatus.