Two Phylogenetic Cohorts of the Nucleocapsid Protein NP and Their Correlation with the Host Range of Influenza A Viruses.

Influenza A virus has a wide natural areal among birds, mammals, and humans. One of the main regulatory adaptors of the virus host range is the major NP protein of the viral nucleocapsid. Phylogenetic analysis of the NP protein of different viruses has revealed the existence of two phylogenetic cohorts in human influenza virus population. Cohort I includes classical human viruses that caused epidemics in 1957, 1968, 1977. Cohort II includes the H1N1/2009pdm virus, which had a mixed avian-swine origin but caused global human pandemic. Also, the highly virulent H5N1 avian influenza virus emerged in 2021 and caused outbreaks of lethal infections in mammals including humans, appeared to have the NP gene of the second phylogenetic cohort and, therefore, by the type of adaptation to human is similar to the H1N1/2009pdm virus and seems to possess a high epidemic potential for humans. The data obtained shed light on pathways and dynamics of adaptation of avian influenza viruses to humans and propose phylogenetic algorithm for systemic monitoring of dangerous virus strains to predict epidemic harbingers and take immediate preventive measures.

New germline mutations in BRCA1, ATM, MUTYH, and RAD51D genes in Tuvans early-onset breast cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: In Russia, more than 50,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer (BC) every year. Russia is a multinational country - about 200 ethnic groups live on its territory. Khakass, Buryats, Tuvans and other ethnic groups show higher rate of increase in BC incidence and a younger age of first diagnosed BC compared to Caucasian ethnicities. We focused on Tuvan ethnic group to find specific genetic aberrations associated with BC. There are no BC prevention models as well as standards for the treatment of inherited BC in Tuvans. In this context, the search for genetic markers of early cancer detection and the development of criteria for therapy response are relevant. AIM: To identify hereditary mutations in BC-associated genes in Tuvan women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 24 patients with early-onset BC (range, 25 to 46 years) were enrolled in the study. Genomic DNA isolated from blood samples was used to prepare libraries using a capture-based target enrichment kit covering 27 genes (ATM, APC, BARD1, BRCA1, BRCA2, BRIP1, CDH1, CHEK2, EPCAM, FAM175A, MLH1, MRE11A, MSH2, MSH6, MUTYH, NBN, PALB2, PIK3CA, PMS2, PMS2CL, PTEN, RAD50, RAD51C, RAD51D, STK11, TP53 and XRCC2). Next-generation sequencing was performed using the Illumina NextSeq500 System. RESULTS: In our study, one pathogenic mutation was detected in BRCA1 (rs80357868) gene (prevalence of 4%, 1/24). We identified the truncating 3875_3878delGTCT mutation of BRCA1 gene in Tuvans BC patient aged 34 years. We also detected three mutations that were probably damaging by PolyPhen2 and/or deleterious by SIFT in ATM (rs781023264), MUTYH (rs199840380) and RAD51D (rs145309168) genes. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that describes the highly pathogenic variant in the BRCA1 gene (rs80357868) and possibly damaging (PolyPhen2) germline variants in the ATM (rs781023264), MUTYH (rs199840380) and RAD51D (rs145309168) genes in young Tuvans BC patient.

[Optimization of the extent of surgery in organ- preserving treatment for invasive cervical cancer (the role of sentinel lymph nodes study)].

The study included 44 patients with Stage Ia1 - lb1 cervi- cal cancer who underwent organ-preserving surgery (transab- dominal trachelectomy). To visualize sentinel lymph nodes - lymphoscintigraphy with injection of radioactive lymphotropic isotope - (99m)Tc-labelled nanocolloid was injected a day before surgery. Intraoperative identification of sentinel lymph nodes using gamma probe was carried out to assess, which lymph nodes had taken up the radionuclide. Detection of sentinel lymph nodes in cervical cancer patients could accurately predict the pelvic lymph node status, assess the stage of the dis- ease, individualize the extent of surgery and determine indica- tions for organ-preserving surgery.

[Serum adipokines and their receptors in endometrial and colon cancer patients: relationship with tumor invasion and metastasis].

The aim of the study was to investigate the serum adipokine levels and expression of adipokine receptors (AdipoR1, AdipoR2) in patients with endometrial and colon cancer in relation with the main clinical morphological parameters (tumor invasion, lymph node involvement). The study included 60 endometrial cancer patients with I-II Stage and 31 patients with colon cancer (T2-4N0-2M0). Serum adipokine levels, the level of soluble form of the leptin receptor (sOb-R) and AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 expression were evaluated with ELISA. In endometrial cancer serum leptin and adiponectin levels were associated not only with metabolic disorders but also with cervical invasion. In colon cancer serum leptin level was associated with lymph node involvement. The data obtained showed the potential implication of serum adipokines into tumor invasion and metastasis. In both sites intratumoral levels of AdipoR1 H AdipoR2 were not associated with the presence of metabolic syndrome. The AdipoR1 level was related with myometrial invasion. In colon cancer patients, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 expressions were associated with lymph node involvement, and AdipoR1 expression was correlated with tumor size. The obtained results demonstrated involvement of adipose tissue hormones (leptin and adiponectin) and adiponectin receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) in tumor growth, invasion and lymphogenic metastasis.

[Chymotripsin-like activity and subunit composition of proteasomes in human cancers].

Activity of the proteasome, polyfunctional enzymatic complex, is known to undergo changes during cancer development. This phenomenon is, probably, caused by the changes in subunit composition of proteasomes. In present work, we studied chymotrypsin-like activity of proteasomes, subunit composition and their association in breast cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, endometrial cancer, renal cancer, bladder cancer, stomach cancer and colorectal cancer. The increase of proteasome activity was revealed in most cancer tissues compared with adjacent tissues except for the renal cell carcinoma. Changes in proteasome activity in cancer tissues compared with correspondent normal tissues were accompanied by modification of its subunit composition. High proteasome activity was observed in combination with an increased expression of immune subunits and/or proteasome activator PA28, associated with activity of 20S proteasome. In breast cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, bladder cancer, stomach cancer and colorectal cancer we additionally found higher expression of Rpt6 subunit of 26S proteasome. Correlations between chymotrypsin like proteasome activity and subunit expressions were found in human cancer tissues. In summary, we suggest that proteasome ac- tivation and changes in its subunit composition plays an important role in cancer pathogenesis.

[Relationship between the expression levels of PAPP-A metalloproteinase and growth and transcriptional factors in endometrial cancer].

We have examined for the first time the relationship between the expression of PAPP-A metalloproteinase and insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I, IGF-II, VEGF) and transcription factors (NF-kappaB, HIF-1) playing an important role in pathogenesis of cancer. We also demonstrated a positive association between the level of PAPP-A metalloproteinase and the level of growth (VEGF and IGF-I) and transcription factors (NF-kappaB p50, NF-kappaB p65, HIF-1alpha). The current findings suggest an important role of PAPP-A in regulation of bioavailability of IGF-I, VEGF, activated forms of NF-kappaB, and alpha-subunits of HIF-1 in endometrial tumors.

[Specifics of hormonal and energy balance in patients with hyperplasia and endometrial neoplasia with metabolic syndrome in the background].

We conducted a comparative investigation of the hormonal status (LH, FSH, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, prolactin, SHBG), energy status (leptin, ghrelin, insulin), and carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in patients with endometrial hyperplasia and neoplasia (168 patients) with or without metabolic syndrome in the background. Patients with metabolic syndrome had a high frequency of elevated estrogen (72%), testosterone (65%), insulin (81%), leptin (68%). There was a marked increase in the basal level of luteinizing hormone, prolactin, index, LH/FSH, but decrease in FSH and progesterone. There were significant changes in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. The possible mechanisms for the contribution of the investigated factors to the development of the pathological processes in the endometrium are presented.

Proteasome activity and their subunit composition in endometrial cancer tissue: correlations with clinical morphological parameters.

The development of endometrial cancer is related to the status of the intracellular proteasome system. Total proteasome activity and pools 26S and 20S activities are higher in tumor tissue than in intact endometrium, and their composition is different. The expression of α1α2α3α5α6α7 is lower in endometrial cancer tissue in comparison with intact endometrium and the content of immune subunits LMP7, LMP2, and PA28ß is increased. Total proteasome activity depends on the disease stage.

[Evaluation of risk of progression of endometrial hyperplasia in patients with metabolic syndrome].

A mathematical model based on principles of multifactor analysis was developed to predict clinical outcome of endometrial hyperplasia (EH) in patients with metabolic syndrome (80). Seventy-seven factors--anthropometric, clinical, anamnestic, hormono-metabolic, immunohistochemical, etc.--were included. Evaluation of the most informative indices integrated with the discriminative model showed that anthropometric (waist and hip circumference, sagittal diameter, etc.) and clinico-anamnestic (age, age of secondary sexual characters appearance, body weight at birth, suckling pattern, etc.) ones are of similar significance. A profile of hormono-metabolic parameters (cholesterol-low density lipoprotein, leptin, testosterone, progesterone and fasting glucose levels) helped identify a wide range of EH-related disorders in patients with metabolic syndrome. Consistently with the literature data, level of PTEN expression pointed to the presence of this tumor's suppressor in most EH cases which was matched by absence of its expression in endometrial carcinoma. Our model provided high sensitivity (89%) and specificity (82%) in predicting risk of progression in patients with endometrial hyperplasia and metabolic syndrome.

[Characterization of Vibrio cholerae eltor in the city of Kazan in 2001]. / Kharakteristika kholernykh vibrionov él'tor, vydelennykh v g. Kazan' v 2001 g.

Information on V. cholerae eltor isolated in the focus of cholera in Kazan in 2001 at different periods of the outbreak is presented. The identity of strains isolated from patients, vibriocarriers and environmental objects, including their antibioticograms (sensitivity to cyprofloxacin and resistance to trimethoprim--sulfamethoxazole, streptomycin, furazolidone and nalidixic acid, which may be regarded as markers), is shown. Variable tandem repetitions in the DNA of 30 isolates strains of different origin have been determined. The results of this determination make it possible to classify all these strains as one genotype, which confirms the suggestion on the circulation of one subclone of the infective agent of cholera in the focus. As revealed in this investigation, the isolated strains are labile with respect to diagnostic phage eltor, while ctx+ strains are resistant to phage eltor ctx+.

Peptides of a major histocompatibility complex class I (Kb) molecule cause prolongation of skin graft survival and induce specific down-regulatory T cells demonstrable in the mixed lymphocyte reaction.

Six individual peptides of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule H-2Kb were synthesized. Intravenous injection of peptide 6 into mice prolonged the survival of Kb (BL/6 or B10.MBR) skin grafts on allogeneic R101 and B10.AKM mice, respectively. This was specific, as control skin grafts from Kk (B10.BR) or Kd (DBA/2) donors, respectively, were rejected at the same time in both control and peptide-treated mice. The optimal doses for peptide 6, which is from the alpha 2 domain, were defined. The test system was the inhibition of proliferation in vitro of naive lymph node cells by syngeneic mitomycin c-treated spleen cells from R101 mice preimmunized with irradiated stimulator splenocytes of Kb (BL/6) origin. Down-regulation was specific, as proliferation in response to third-party allogeneic stimulator Kk (B10.BR) splenocytes was not inhibited. Of the six peptides of H-2Kb tested, potent down-regulatory cells were induced by peptides 2 (alpha 1 domain) and 5 and 6 (alpha 2 domain). The greatest down-regulatory activity was obtained by giving peptide 2 to mice that had already been immunized against H-2Kb by injecting EL4 cells. Under the same conditions, injecting peptide 2 did not induce any cytotoxic T cells. In contrast, specific cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTL) were induced when cells from primed mice were incubated for 4 days with heated stimulator cells from BL/6 mice. The data suggest that peptides from MHC class I molecules activate precursors of down-regulatory T cells, but not of CTL, and this may explain their ability to prolong skin allograft survival.

Immunosuppressive factor from liver induces apoptosis in thymoma EL-4 cells but not normal MHC class II-specific T lymphocytes.

An endogenously produced immunosuppressive factor (ISFnp, immunosuppressive factor-neutral protein), inducing a decrease in viability of thymoma EL-4 cells in vitro, was isolated from murine liver using ion exchange, gel filtration and hydrogen-bonding chromatography. Polyclonal rabbit antibodies against this factor were developed and attached to periodate-activated Sepharose CL-6B. The immunoaffine sorbent obtained significantly depleted the biological activity of ISFnp from tested fractions. The factor shows liver-specific location, an M(r) of about 70-80 kDa and consists of 2 subunits (40 and 42 kDa) as determined by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. ISFnp induced DNA degradation in EL-4 cells similar to the cleavage of DNA onto olygonucleosomal fragments in dexamethasone-treated thymocytes. This DNA degradation preceded lysis of thymoma cells, suggesting an induction of apoptosis in ISFnp-treated EL-4 cells. Addition of the factor into primary mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) strongly inhibited proliferative response but failed to induce any decrease in the ability of normal MHC class II-specific alloreactive cells to respond in the secondary MLC. Moreover, addition of ISFnp into primary MLC on the peak of proliferative response resulted in augmentation of secondary responses of primed cells as compared with the same quantities of primed cells from untreated cultures. These results suggest a possible role of liver both in deletion of transformed clones of T lymphocytes and formation of allospecific memory T cells.