OBTAINING OF THE TRANSGENIC HELIANTHUS TUBEROSUS L. PLANTS, CALLUS AND "HAIRY" ROOT CULTURES ABLE TO EXPRESS THE RECOMBINANT HUMAN INTERFERON ALPHA-2b GENE.

This work is the first to our knowledge to describe the successful attempt of Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated transformation of topinambour in order to obtain the transgenic H. tuberosus plants, callus and "hairy" root cultures. The plasmid vectors contained the sequence of interferon gene fused with Nicotiana plumbagenifolia L. calreticulin apoplast targeting signal driven by 35S CaMV promoter or root-specific Mll promoter. Nearly 75% isolated Ri-root lines and callus cultures were proved (by PCR analysis) to contain HuINFa-2b transgene. We also managed to obtain H. tuberosus transgenic plants through somatic embryogenesis on the transgenic "hairy" root culture. The obtained transgenic H. tuberosus cultures exhibited high-level antiviral activity that ranged from 2000 to 54500 IU/g FW that makes this crop considered a promising source of recombinant interferon alpha 2b protein.

[Production of purified human recombinant alpha2b-interferon].

Technology for producing biologically active recombinant alpha2b-interferon is based on creating a bacterial producer strain containing the cDNA of human interferon alpha. The authors have obtained two producers of recombinant alpha2b-interferon, the synthesis of the target protein in them occurs in the inclusion bodies. The schemes of isolation and purification of biologically active recombinant alpha2b-interferon have been developed. The drug purity was approximately 97-98%. Biological activity in the culture of sensory cells in the cytopathic test was 4.2*10(8)ME/mg.

Dose-dependent IFN-stimulating and immunomodulating properties of 6H-indolo[2,3-B] quinoxaline derivatives.

Two 6H-indoloquinoxaline derivatives were studied in different doses and schemes of application for their INFgamma-inducing potential and ability to effect functional activity of phagocytic cells. Tested compounds were shown to possess comparable or higher activity than reference drug Amixin in analogous doses. One indoloquinoxaline significantly elevated metabolic activity of macrophages and increased their potential for phagocytosis. Application of multiple treatments and higher doses allowed us to reveal differences between studied derivatives that were not obvious in previous in vivo experiment. Capacity of 6H-indoloquinoxalines to induce vast IFN amounts on in vivo level was demonstrated for the first time.

Antibacterial activity of cerium colloids against opportunistic microorganisms in vitro.

The CeO2 sol with the size of nanoparticles 2-4 nm has been synthesized. It has been determined that the synthesized nanocrystalline cerium has antibacterial activity in vitro against different groups of opportunistic microorganisms: clinical strains of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. The rate of viability depression of test-cultures depends on the concentration of cerium dioxide nanoparticles and time of incubation. It is shown that the sol interacts with the bacterial cell surface. It is suggested that the observed differences of antibacterial action of nanocrystalline cerium dioxide can be related to the structural characteristics of the cell surface.

[Nanocrystaline ceria based materials--perspectives for biomedical application].

Nanocrystalline ceria possesses a unique complex of physical and chemical properties making it highly bioactive material. In this review, modern data on the action of nanocrystalline ceria on cells, micro- and macroorganisms are analyzed. Special attention is paid to the analysis of the factors affecting protective properties of CeO2 with respect to the living systems.

[Effect of amyxine, loramyxine and their composites with yeast RNA on spontaneous and induced mutagenesis in Salmonella typhymurium].

It was found out that amyxine, loramyxine and their composites with yeast DNA do not increase reliably the frequency of spontaneous mutations in test-strain S. typhymurium TA 98. The studied substances do not possess the antimutagen activity in respect of mutations, induced by potassium bichromate in S. typhymurium TA 98 and do not increase their quantity.

[Antiviral effect of cerium dioxide nanoparticles stabilized by low-molecular polyacrylic acid].

Antiviral activity of nanosize cerium dioxide sols (CeO2) in animal cell culture has been studied. The inhibiting effect of the mentioned sols upon reproduction of vesicular stomatitis test-virus was demonstrated for the first time in case of preliminary 24-hour contact with cells lines L929 and EPT. The effectiveness of protective action depends on initial precursor and the way of obtained water nanosize nanosols.

Nanoceria-curcumin conjugate: Synthesis and selective cytotoxicity against cancer cells under oxidative stress conditions.

A water- and alcohol-soluble cerium oxide-curcumin conjugate was obtained by co-evaporation with poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP). A nanocomposite consisting of hybrid organic-inorganic particles was stable in a wide range of pH values. Its properties were evaluated using nine cell lines: normal (MDBK, ST, Vero) and malignant (L929, T98G, HEp-2, A549, RIN-m5F, Hep G2). PVP-stabilised nanoceria was shown to inhibit autoxidation of curcumin, to enhance curcumin photostability, to promote bioaccumulation and to affect curcumin cytotoxicity and photocytotoxicity, depending on cell type, being more toxic to cancer cells in a selective manner. Under the conditions of UVA/UVC or H2O2-induced oxidative stress, the nanoceria-PVP-curcumin (NPC) conjugate was found to possess a selective cytotoxicity: it caused drastic inhibition of metabolic activity or a decrease in the total number of tumour cells, while in non-transformed cultures under the same conditions, the nanoceria-PVP-curcumin conjugate protected cells from these damaging factors. The NPC-conjugate, unlike curcumin itself, demonstrated a photosensitising effect in tumour cell cultures, while protecting non-transformed cultures from the damaging effects of UV radiation or oxidative stress. Based on the results obtained, we strongly believe that this novel hybrid material has enhanced characteristics compared to other curcumin formulations, and can be considered as a potent drug for biomedical applications, including cancer therapy.

[Fundamentals of interferon system function in pathology and molecular biological peculiarities of interferon production].

Molecular biological peculiarities of interferon system function in PV-infected persons have been found. It is evident that the interferon production, anti-inflammatory cytokines and their receptors and also defensines play an important role in the mechanism of virus interaction with sensitive cells of macroorganism with development of pathological process. The new conception of expediency for the use of interferons and their inducers as the polyfunctional regulators with a broad spectrum of activity for the treatment of PV-infected patients was suggested. Patents for the method of treatment of PV-infected patients were obtained. New inducers of interferon as well as recombinant IFN-alpha-2b was developed. Our results were introduced in the medical practice.

Photo-induced toxicity of tungsten oxide photochromic nanoparticles.

We synthesised a new type of photochromic tungsten oxide nanoparticles, analysed their photocatalytic activity and carried out a thorough analysis of their effect on prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Ultrasmall hydrated tungsten oxide nanoparticles were prepared by means of hydrothermal treatment of tungstic acid in the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone as a template, stabiliser and growth regulator. Tungstic acid was synthesised through an ion-exchange method using sodium tungstate solution and a strongly acidic cation exchange resin. Upon illumination, photochromic nanoparticles of WO3 were shown to increase greatly their toxicity against both bacterial (both gram-positive and gram-negative - P. aeruginosa, E. coli and S. aureus) and mammalian cells (primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts); under the same conditions, fungi (C. albicans) were less sensitive to the action of tungsten oxide nanoparticles. UV irradiation of primary mouse fibroblasts in the presence of WO3 nanoparticles demonstrated a time- and dose-dependent toxic effect, the latter leading to a significant decrease in dehydrogenase activity and an increase in the number of dead cells. WO3 nanoparticles were photocatalytically active under both UV light and even diffused daylight filtered through a window glass, leading to indigo carmine organic dye discolouration. The obtained experimental data not only show good prospects for biomedical applications of tungsten trioxide, but also demonstrate the need for clear control of biosafety when it is used in various household materials and appliances.

[Antiherpetic effect of RNA-tilorone molecular complex in cell culture].

The authors studied the antiviral effect of an interferonogenic yeast RNA-tilorone molecular complex (MC) compared to the Virolex, videly used antiherpetic drug, and standard interferon (IFN) alpha/beta inducer poly(I)poly(C) in Vero cells culture infected with herpes simplex type I virus (HSV-1). The tilorone contained by MC has been shown to be twice less toxic and twice more active against HSV than its free molecules. The value of chemotherapeutic index (CI) of Virolex in experiments with Vero cells reaches 2500, CI poly(I)poly(C) and MC being 324; the last value meets the requirements for promising drugs.

[Interferonogenic activity of amixin analogs and diphenyl derivatives].

Properties of interferon productivity of several inducers of interferon, analogs of amixin, have been studied in vivo. It has been shown, that under the influence of injected agents the content of endogenic interferon in the blood serum of laboratory animals increased and their non-fractionated cells of the peripheral blood (splenocites and macrophages) synthesized alpha- and gamma-interferon.

[Interferon-stimulating activity of muramoyl dipeptide glycosides].

The uninvestigated interferon (IFN)-inducing capacity of glycoside derivatives of N-acetylmuramoyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine (MDP) has been studied. Most MDP glycosides tested in vitro were more active than the reference preparation MDP. Under the in vivo conditions three studied preparations: MDP, a-heptyl-MDP and beta-(2-methyl-3-phenylchromonyl-7)-MDP stimulated production of considerable amount of circulating IFN that evidences for the promising character of their further investigation as preparations immunostimulators.

[THE INFLUENCE OF NANODISPERSE CERIUM DIOXIDE ON ONTOGENETIC CHANGES OF ANTIOXIDANT SYSTEM IN THE MUCOSA OF THE STOMACH AND COLON IN RATS].

It was established that with age the content of lipid peroxidation products increased in the mucosa of the stomach: Diene conjugates by 30%, products which react to thiobarbituric acid by 285% and Schif bases by 181%. Nanodisperse cerium dioxide (NCD) reduced the content of lipid peroxidation in the gastric mucosa in old rats: Diene conjugates by 43 %, products which react to thiobarbituric acid by 51% and Schif bases by 44% relative to the control group of rats given age. Similarly, it was established that the content of Diene conjugates increased by 40%, products which react to thiobarbituric acid by 114% and Schif bases by 132% in the mucosa of the colon of old rats. NDC significant reduced the content of products which react to thiobarbituric acid by 69% and Schyf basics by 132%. In the stomach superoxide dismutase (by 43%) and catalase activity (by 24%) decreases with age, while in the colon superoxide dismutase activity increases (by 43%). In the colon NCD significant decreased superoxide dismutase (by 34%) and catalase activity (by 21%) relative to controls. Thus, the NDC restores lipid peroxidation in the gastric mucosa and colon, in which develops oxidative stress with age.

Virus-inhibitory effect of a yeast RNA-tilorone molecular complex in cell cultures.

The virus-inhibitory activity of a molecular complex (MC) of tilorone and yeast RNA was studied in vitro on three virus-cell systems: vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) - murine fibroblast L929 cells, Venezuelan equine encephalittis virus (VEEV) - swine embryo kidney (SEK) cells and encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) - established piglet testicular (EPT) cells. In all these systems the MC exerted an antiviral effect similar to that of polynucleotide interferon (IFN) inducers such as poly(I)-poly(C), larifan and ridostin. The antiviral effect of the MC was similar when the compound was applied before or after virus adsorption to cells. The MC may be regarded as a perspective antiviral agent of common use.

[Production of type I interferons in the body exposed to yeast RNA-tiloron molecular complexes]. / Produktsiia interferonov I tipa v organizme pod deistviem molekuliarnykh kompleksov drozhzhevaia RNK-tiloron.

Molecular complexes forming as a result of interaction between yeast RNA preparations with 2,7-bis[-(diethylaminoethoxy)-fluorene]-9-on dihydrochloride (tilorone) administered parenterally to mice cause the appearance of interferon in high titers compatible to those induced by standard inductors of polyribonucleotide origin, poly(I)-poly(C) and larifan. Some physiologic conditions of interferonogenesis have been studied. The above molecular complexes in the dose range used experimentally were completely nontoxic. Hence, these complexes are promising agents for interferon induction.

[The interferonogenic properties of yeast RNA-tilorone complexes in a cell culture]. / Izuchenie interferonogennykh svoistv kompleksov drozhzhevaia DNK--tiloron v kul'ture kletok.

The use of molecular complexes of yeast RNA with thyloron as inductors of type I interferons (alpha/beta-interferons) in the culture of cells L929 is described. It was shown that the complexes induced the interferon synthesis in the cells at the level comparable to that of the standard inductors of the polyribonucleotide nature i.e. larifan and poly(I)-poly(C). In the experimental doses the complexes proved to be nontoxic. It was concluded that the use of the yeast RNA and thyloron complexes as inductors in large-scale production of type I interferons was promising.

[Comparative cytotoxic characteristics of the interferon-inducing yeast RNA-tilorone complex]. / Sravnitel'naia kharakteristika tsitotoksichnosti interferon-indutsiruiushchego kompleksa drozhzhevaia RNK-tiloron.

Cytotoxicity of the yeast RNA-tilorona molecular complex (MC) with interferonogenic properties and its influence on the DNA replicative synthesis were studied in experiments with human lymphocytes and 3 cell lines. It was shown that the MC doses of 25, 100 and 250 micrograms/ml were absolutely nontoxic for all the cell lines. The main parameters of the MC toxicity based on the cell viability were calculated. The parameters were found to correlate in the order of their magnitude with those relating to interferonogens of the polynucleotide nature. Within the dose ranges of 10 to 100 micrograms/ml the MC had a stimulating effect on replicative processes in the cells. It was concluded that the use of the MC as an inductor in large-scale manufacture of human and animal interferons of type 1 was promising.

[The microbial cenosis of the tonsils in healthy children and in those frequently ill]. / Izuchenie mikrobnogo tsenoza mindalin u zdorovykh i chasto boleiushchikh detei.

The microbial cenosis of tonsils has been studied in healthy and ailing children. It has been found out that Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis, beta-hemolytic streptococcus, rarely gram-negative flora and candidae were most often isolated in the ailing children. Normal microflora of healthy children mainly included lactic acid bacteria whose level considerably decreased in ailing children that is most distinctly expressed in children with decompensated tonsillitis. To correct the disturbances in microbial cenosis during complex therapy we used lactobacteria to treat the nasopharynx with the suspension of these bacteria. Positive clinical effect with following positive results of bacteriological investigation has been obtained in all patients.

[Interferon inducers--from theory to practice]. / Induktory interferonu--vid teoriï do praktyky.

The authors present up-to-date information concerning different inducers of different interferon types in vivo and in vitro. Interactions between the structure and interferon-inducing activity of high and low molecular weight inducers are in the focus of this paper. There are also a lot of data, concerning different biological properties of interferon-inducing compounds. Different aspects of inducers use as antiviral and immunomodulating drugs are also discussed.