[The role of transcription factors in the response of mouse lymphocytes to low-level electromagnetic and laser radiations]

The effects of low-intensity laser radiation (LILR, 632.8 nm, 0.2 mW/cm2) and low-intensity electromagnetic waves (LIEW, 8.15 - 18 GHz, 1 MW/cm2) on the production of transcription factors in lymphocytes from NMRI male mice were examined. The total level of NF-KB and its phosphorylated metabolite Phospho-NF-kappaB, as well as the regulatory protein IkappaB-alpha were determined in spleen lymphocytes subjected to laser or microwave radiations. The proteins were determined by immunoblotting. Laser light induced a lowering in the level of NF-kappaB and IkappaB-alpha. By contrast, irradiation with electromagnetic waves resulted in a significant increase in the amount of NF-kappaB and IkappaB-alpha. The phosphorylated form of NF-kappaB did not noticeably change under either of the two kinds of radiation. The results showed that electromagnetic waves activate the production of both NF-kappaB and the regulatory protein IkappaB-alpha and these data confirm the stress character of the response of spleen lymphocytes to low-level microwaves of the centimeter range.

[Effect of weak and ultraweak static magnetic fields on the intensity of fission of the planarian Dugesia tigrina]

It has been shown that, in the range of 03000 nT, a biological system differently responds to the treatment with a weak static magnetic field. Thus, at a practically complete compensation of the field (induction 5 nT), the intensity of fission of planarian does not differ from control values. As the field intensity is successively increased to 300 nT, a marked and statistically significant stimulating effect is observed (SC 1.51.8), which disappears in the intensity range of 400 and 600 nT. At intensities from 800 to 1500 nT, the stimulating effect manifests itself again. Further increase of field intensity to 3000 nT leads to the disappearance of the effect.

[Effects of centimeter waves on the immune system of mice in endotoxic shock]

The effects of centimeter waves (8.15-18 GHz, 1 microW/cm2, 1 h daily for 10 days; MW) on the production of the tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-lalpha, interleukin-1beta, interleukin-2, and the expression of interleukin-6, interleukin-10, interferon-gamma, nitric oxide and HSP27, HSP72 and HSP90alpha in mice irradiated before or after LPS injection were studied. An acute endotoxic model was produced by a single LPS injection. The effects of microwaves on nitric oxide, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interferon-gamma were dependent on the functional status of exposed animals. Thus, an exposure of healthy mice to microwaves for 10 days was followed by a decrease in nitric oxide and interferon-gamma production, and an increase in the production of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6. On the contrary, an exposure to MW before intoxication resulted in an increase in the synthesis of nitric oxide and interferon-gamma as well as a decrease in the concentration of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 in blood of mice in endotoxic shock. When microwave exposure was used after LPS injection, it did not provide any protective effect, and preliminary irradiation enhanced the resistance of the organism to endotoxic shock.

[Study of the quaternary structure of rat 1-Cys peroxiredoxin]

Peroxiredoxins (Prx) are a family of antioxidant proteins with peroxidase activity. The ability of 1-Cys Prx to self-associate was studied with the use of native PAGE and Western blotting. Two protein bands corresponding to monomeric and dimeric forms were detected in the preparation of the recombinant 1-Cys Prx subjected to native PAGE, with dimers being more abundant. The third band corresponding to the oligomeric form was detected after incubation of the recombinant 1-Cys Prx with DTT, although monomers and dimers were also observed. These results indicate that monomeric, dimeric, and oligomeric states of the protein are likely to be interchangeable. Native PAGE in combination with Western blot analysis revealed that self-association of 1-Cys Prx also occurred at physiologically relevant concentrations in vivo. The native 1-Cys Prx existed in the monomeric and dimeric forms in rat olfactory epithelium, with monomers being more common. The structural sensitivity of the recombinant 1-Cys Prx to imidazole was shown.

The novel approach to the protein design: active truncated forms of human 1-CYS peroxiredoxin

The object of the present study is the verification of a new approach to the design of the active truncated forms of enzymes. The method is based on a new way of investigating the protein sequences--the ANalysis of Informational Structure (ANIS). The analysis of informational structure allows to determine the hierarchically organized structures (IDIC-trees) formed by the sites with the Increased Degree of Informational Coordination between residues. The proposed approach involves the consequent removal of the fragments corresponding to the individual IDIC-trees from the wild-type enzyme sequences. The described procedure was applied to the design of the active truncated form of human 1-CYS peroxiredoxin (PrxVI). Two variants of the PrxVI truncated sequences were proposed according to ANIS method. These truncated forms of the enzyme were expressed in E. coli and purified. The respective antioxidant activities were measured. It was shown that one of the truncated recombinant proteins retains more than 90% of the wild-type PrxVI enzymatic activity. According to the results of our study we can assume that ANIS method can be an effective tool for the design of the active truncated forms of the enzymes or the chimeric proteins which combine the enzymatic activities of their wild-type prototypes.

[Effect of weak magnetic fields on fluorescence of water and water-salt solutions. Partial characterization of fluorescing fractions]

It has been shown that exposure to weak combined permanent (42 mT) and low-frequency (3-60 Hz) alternating (0.001-0.06 mT) magnetic fields changes the intensity of fluorescence of water and water-salt solutions. The gel filtration of solutions of inorganic salts treated with magnetic fields gives rise to intensively fluorescing fractions. Control solutions not exposed to electromagnetic waves do not exhibit these effects. The results obtained suggest that treatment with weak electromagnetic fields induces structural changes of water solutions, and the manifestations of these changes depend on the conditions of chromatography and chemical composition of solutions under study.

[Effect of weak and superweak combined permanent and low-frequency alternating magnetic fields and low-intensity millimeter waves on regeneration of planaria Dugesia tigrina]

It has been shown that exposure to weak combined collinear magnetic fields (permanent component 42 mT; amplitude of alternating component 40 nT, frequency 3.7 Hz) or millimeter waves with a frequency of 36 GHz and power density of 100 mT/cm2 substantially stimulates the growth of the regeneration blastema in the tail fragment of planaria when the exposure to fields precedes the cutting of the planaria body. This effect is more clearly pronounced during the treatment of planaria with magnetic field. If the treatment with weak physical factors is carried out after the cutting of planaria, the effect of the field is two times less pronounced (exposure to magnetic waves) or is not evident at all (exposure to electromagnetic radiation).

[Protective effect of low-power laser radiation in acute toxic stress]

The effect of preliminary short-term irradiation with He-Ne laser light (632.8 nm, 0.2 mW/cm2) of the thymus zone projection of male NMRI mice subjected to acute toxic stress on the responses of immune cells was studied. Stress was modeled by lipopolysaccharide injection, 250 mg/100 g of body weight, which induced a significant increase in the production of several macrophage cytokines, IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-alpha. A single irradiation with laser light did not provoke considerable variations in NO production in cells but induced an enhancement in the production of heat shock proteins Hsp25, Hsp70, and Hsp90. Nevertheless, when irradiation with red laser light was applied prior to toxic stress, considerable normalization of production of nearly all cytokines studied and nitric oxide was observed. Moreover, the normalization of production of heat shock proteins has been shown in these conditions. Thus, preliminary exposure of a small area of animal skin surface provoked a significant lowering in the toxic effect of lipopolysaccharide.

[Stimulating effect of recombinant cytokine LIF on the mouse blastocysts during implantation]

We studied the effect of recombinant cytokine LIF (Leukemia inhibitory factor) on the isolated mouse embryos at the stages of middle and late blastocyst. We showed that this agent is necessary at the formation stage of normal trophoblast after the leaving of blastocysts from z. pellucida in vitro. This cytokine (10 ng/ml) results in the intensification of adhesion and proliferative activity of trophoblast cells. It is important for intercellular interactions with endometrium and for invasion of embryos into the uterus. The recombinant LIF has not remarkable influence upon cells of intracellular mass.

[Biophysical aspects of reconstruction of a single cell by the methods of cell engineering]

The problems of a low efficiency of mammalian cloning are discussed with emphasis on the necessity of the expertise of each step of single cell reconstruction, beginning with microsurgical manipulations. The fact of cell content leakage when the cell is held during microsurgery or microinjections with the help of the conventional method using negative pressure in the holding micropipette was demonstrated in experiments on murine embryos. It was shown that the rate of cell content efflux depends on the value of negative pressure generated in the holding micropipette, and is directly proportional to the dimensions of its orifice and the duration of micromanipulations. An alternative method of cell fixation using the capillary forces of the holding micropipette was proposed. The method optimizes the process of cell fixation, reducing the holding effort by two orders of magnitude. As a result, 92% of embryos remain viable after fixation of embryo, as compared with 39% in the conventional technique. In order to diminish the cell damage produced by the tip of a microinstrument, a new technique of fabricating micropipettes was proposed. The improved method of filling the micropipette with viscous liquids, including DNA, which is described in details in the paper, enabled constant (non-stop) microinjection of more than 1000 cells by hand, without any special automatic device.

[Effect of low-intensity laser radiation (632.8 nm) on immune cells isolated from mice]

The effect of in vitro exposure to low-power laser light with a power density of 0.2 mW/cm2 and a wavelength of 632.8 nm induced by helium-neon laser on the functional activity of macrophages and splenic lymphocytes was studied. If the exposure period did not exceed 60 sec, the stimulation in interleukin-2 (IL-2) and nitric oxide (NO) production, as well as an increase in the activity of natural killer cells were observed. The increase of irradiation dose by prolongation of the exposure duration up to 180 s induced a significant decrease in NO production and natural killer cell activity, but IL-2 production was not different from the control level. A remarkable decrease in interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production was observed following laser light exposure of cells for 60 or 180 s, whereas under lower doses (exposure for 5 or 30 sec) IFN-gamma production increased. Irradiation of isolated macrophages induced a significant stimulation of cellular tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF- alpha) production at all dboes used, and, what is more important, an enhancement in both TNF-a phaand interleukin-6 (IL-6) production was revealed as early as after a 5-s exposure. In this case, more prolonged exposure periods, 60 and 180 s, either did not induce changes in IL-6 production (in macrophages) or decreased IL-6 production (in lymphocytes). Thus, upon in vitro exposure of cells to extremely low-power laser light, a basic tendency was observed: short-term irradiation predominantly induced stimulation in secretory activity of cells, whereas prolongation of exposure mainly induced immunosuppression. The only exception to the rule was a change in interleukin-3 (IL-3) production, which decreased after short-time exposure, but, on the opposite, increased when the cells were exposed for 180 s. In addition, a high sensitivity to extremely low-power laser light was supported by expression of the inducible heat shock protein, Hsp70, the effect being observed at all doses used, including the exposure for 5 s. At the same time, expression of another heat shock protein, Hsp90, was somewhat reduced after irradiation of cells with laser light.

Production of heat shock proteins, cytokines, and nitric oxide in toxic stress

Expression of heat shock proteins Hsp27, Hsp90, and Hsp70 and production of tumor necrosis factors (TNF-alpha, TNF-beta), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-2, -3, -6, and nitric oxide (NO) were studied under conditions of acute and chronic intoxication of animals with lipopolysaccharides. Injection of endotoxin increased expression of heat shock proteins Hsp70 and Hsp90-alpha in mouse cells. Acute toxic stress also provoked a sharp increase in the production of TNF-alpha, TNF-beta, and NO in mouse cells. The production of other cytokines (interleukins and IFN-gamma) was changed insignificantly. In the model of chronic toxic stress, changes in the production of Hsp70, Hsp90, TNF, and NO were followed during 11 days after the beginning of the toxin injections. The expression of Hsp70 and Hsp90 in acute stress was significantly higher than at the final stage of the chronic exposure. The changes in the TNF and NO productions, on one hand, and the production of heat shock proteins, on the other hand, were synchronous. The findings indicate that repeated injections of increasing endotoxin doses result in a decreased ability of the body cells to respond to stress by overproduction of heat shock proteins, TNF, and NO.

[Differentiation of embryonic stem cells into cardiomyocytes with the help of cytokine LIF (leukemia inhibitory factor)]

An experimental model of differentiated mouse embryonic stem cells with retractive activity similar to that of cardiomyocytes without preliminary formation of embryoid bodies was obtained. The basic factor that induced in vitro embryonic cell differentiation into cardial type is the recombinant cytokine LIF under prolonged cultivation. The positive reaction of the cells with retractive activity to isoproterenol indicates the presence of the beta-adrenergic receptor activity characteristic only for terminal differentiated mammalian cardiomyocytes.

Effects of low-power laser radiation on mice immunity

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Because of large interest in biological effects of laser radiation used in laser therapy, the effect of extremely low-level red laser light intensity on the immune cell activity has been studied in the animal model with well-characterized macrophage and T cell populations as responder cells producing cytokines, protective proteins, active oxygen, and nitric compounds. To study of the possible side effects of laser immunotherapy we monitored the productions of cytokines, nitric oxide (NO), and heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) in mice subjected to a periodic laser exposure for 1 month.

METHODS

Helium-neon laser radiation with the power of 0.2 mW/cm2 and wavelength of 632.8 nm was applied on two different mouse skin surfaces, i.e. a thymus projection area or a hind limb. Healthy NMRI male mice were irradiated repeatedly with laser light for 1 min with 48-h intervals for 30 days. The animals were divided into three groups of 25 mice. The first and the second groups were exposed to laser light, on the thymus and hind limb area, respectively. The third, sham-irradiated group served as a control. Early and prolonged effects of laser radiation on the levels of NO (by Griess assay), Hsp70 (by Western blot assay), tumor necrosis factors (TNF-alpha and TNF-beta) (by cytotoxic assay using L929 cells as targets), and interleukin-2 (IL-2) (by ELISA assay) were determined.

RESULTS

The dynamics of immune responses to low-power laser light intensity was shown to be dependent on two factors, i.e. the cumulative dose and the localization of the irradiated surface. Besides, various populations of cells demonstrated different sensitivity to laser radiation, with T cells being more responsive among examined populations of the cells. Low intensity laser light induced an immune cell activity when the exposure duration did not exceed 10 days, while a more prolonged period of treatment generated more severe changes in the immune system, up to immunosuppression. The treatment of the thymus zone resulted in more pronounced changes in the cytokine production as well as in NO and Hsp70 synthesis.

CONCLUSION

Low-power laser irradiation showed more effective immunomodulatory effects when applied on the thymus projection area. The rise in IL-2 and Hsp70 production related to a short-term effect of laser application may be reversed after repeating laser treatment. We suggest that for the support of immune system stability, the prolonged laser therapy should be accompanied by supplementary methods.

[Effects of exposure of different skin areas to low-power laser light]

The effect of helium-neon laser light of extremely low power of 0.2 mW/cm2 and wavelength 632.8 nm on the immune status of mice bearing solid tumors was studied. The evaluation of the status of tumor-bearing animals was provided by taking into account the number of immune cells, cytokine concentration (tumor necrosis factor, interleukin 2, production of nitric oxide, expression of heat shock proteins (Hsp70 and Hsp90), and activity of natural killers. The model of a solid tumor was formed by subcutaneous injection of Ehrlich carcinoma cells, and average life span of tumor-bearing mice achieved about 55 days. Different areas of the skin of tumor-bearing mice were subjected either to a single (1 min, dose 0.012 J/cm3) or repeated exposure to laser light (1 min, 48-h intervals, 30 days). Two different areas were irradiated: the thymus projection area or a hind limb with solid tumors. The results showed that chronic exposure of tumor-bearing mice in the thymus projection area, and especially, hind limb, reduced the resistance, which manifested itself in the acceleration of tumor growth and a tendency of mouse life span to decrease. On the contrary, a single exposure stimulated the antitumor immunity for several days after the exposure. The results show the expediency of further investigation of the immunomodulative effects of low-power laser light and the necessity of monitoring the immune system during laser therapy.

[Increased survival of preimplantation mouse embryos in medium with recombinant cytokine LIF]

We studied the effects of cytokine LIF on in vitro development of 2-cell mouse embryos to the late blastocyst stage. LIF at 10 ng/ml enhanced the blastocyst formation and hatching from zona pellucida. When blastocysts were cultivated in a medium with LIF for a longer time, the trophoblast adhesive properties and proliferative activity were enhanced. In the presence of this cytokine, the trophoblast cells were attached to the substrate surface and fulfill the function of a sublayer for growth of the inner cell mass colonies with a high activity of endogenous alkaline phosphatase. Expression of LIF was detected in the oviduct and uterus epithelial tissues from day 1 until day 4 of pregnancy, thus suggesting its involvement in early development. According to the data of cultivation, cytokine LIF enhanced the adhesive properties and functional activity of the trophoblast cells, which is essential for implantation of blastocysts in the uterus.

Three-dimensional reconstruction of synapses and dendritic spines in the rat and ground squirrel hippocampus: new structural-functional paradigms for synaptic function

Published data are reviewed along with our own data on synaptic plasticity and rearrangements of synaptic organelles in the central nervous system. Contemporary laser scanning and confocal microscopy techniques are discussed, along with the use of serial ultrathin sections for in vivo and in vitro studies of dendritic spines, including those addressing relationships between morphological changes and the efficiency of synaptic transmission, especially in conditions of the long-term potentiation model. Different categories of dendritic spines and postsynaptic densities are analyzed, as are the roles of filopodia in originating spines. The role of serial ultrathin sections for unbiased quantitative stereological analysis and three-dimensional reconstruction is assessed. The authors' data on the formation of more than two synapses on single mushroom spines on neurons in hippocampal field CA1 are discussed. Analysis of these data provides evidence for new paradigms in both the organization and functioning of synapses.

[The activity of natural killer cells in healthy and tumor-bearing mice after treatment with low-intensity laser light]

The effect of low-intensity laser light on the activity of natural killer cells from healthy and tumor-bearing mice was studied. Skin in the zone of the thymus or hind limb was illuminated, the remaining body surface being screened. The illumination was carried out for 30 days, with the duration of a single exposure being 1 min and intervals between the exposures being 48 h. The effect of laser light depended on the location of the illuminated area. It was shown that the exposure of the thymus of healthy animals for 20 and 30 days leads to a significant decrease in the activity of natural killer cells. On the contrary, the illumination of the limb for 10 or 20 days increased the activity of natural killer cells; but when hind limbs were treated for 30 days, the activity of natural killer cells decreased. Whereas tumor growth increased the natural killer cell activity, the illumination of tumor-bearing mice lowered the adaptive antitumoral resistance by decreasing the activity of natural killer cells.

["Chain" karyotypic evolution of embryonic stem cell line R1 in vitro]

Cytogenetic anomaly frequencies were analysed in three sublines of ES R1 line in its five clonal sublines, obtained from two cell colonies after transformation of ES R1 cells by plasmid with gene lif. Cell transformation did not increase cytogenic anomalies, however, the initial sublines of ES R1 line, as well as its transformed clonal descendants bore a redundant quantity of the chromosome 8 material within the structure of various Robertsonian translocations even in cells with diploid chromosome quantity (2n = 40). In the initial sublines ES R1 and its clonal descendants a common Rb (8; 15) was revealed. It was supposed that selection for the increase in ES cell sensitivity to cytokines (in particular, LIF) under cultural conditions was accompanied by an increase in chromosomal copies, carrying genes of mapk andjak/stat, through which downstream effectors of cytokine signals for preservation of cell pluripotention and propagation are realized. Genes of chromatid separation and chromosome segregation control (for example, separase gene Esp1 in chromosome 15) may be passively involved in this process, thus promoting acceleration of karyotype evolution in ES cells.

[A comparison of the effects of millimeter and centimeter waves on tumor necrosis factor production in mouse cells]

The effects of millimeter (40 GHz) and centimeter (8.15-18.00 GHz) low-intensity waves on the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNE) in macrophages and lymphocytes from exposed mice as well as in exposed isolated cells were compared. It was found that the dynamics of TNF secretory activity of cells varies depending on the frequency and duration of exposure. The application of millimeter waves induced a nonmonotonous course of the dose-effect curve for TNF changes in macrophages and splenocytes. Alternately, a stimulation and a decrease in TNF production were observed following the application of millimeter waves. On the contrary, centimeter waves provoked an activation in cytokine production. It is proposed that, in contrast to millimeter waves, the single application of centimeter waves to animals (within 2 to 96 h) or isolated cells (within 0.5 to 2.5 h) induced a much more substantial stimulation of immunity.

[Three-dimensional reconstruction of synapse and dendritic spines in the hippocampus of rats and ground squirrels: new paradigms of the structure and function of a synapse]

The article reviews the literature data and results obtained by the authors concerning synaptic plasticity and remodeling of synaptic organelles in the central nervous system. Modern techniques of laser scanning confocal microscopy and serial thin sectioning for in vivo and in vitro studies of dendritic spines including a correlation between morphological changes and synaptic transmission efficiency are discussed, particularly, in relation to long-term potentiation. Organization of different types of dendritic spines and involvement of filopodia in spine genesis are examined. Significance of serial ultrathin sections for unbiased quantitative stereological analysis and three-dimensional reconstructions is discussed. The contact of one dendritic spine with two presynaptic boutons (multiple synapses) on both CA1 mushroom dendritic spines is discussed. The analyzed findings suggest new ideas for organization and functioning of synapses.