Impaired Heat Shock Protein Expression in Activated T Cells in B-Cell Lymphoma

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are molecular chaperones that act in a variety of cellular processes, ensuring protein homeostasis and integrity. HSPs play critical roles in the modulation of various immune cells. However, the role of HSPs in T cell activation is largely unknown. We show that HSPs are upregulated following CD3/CD28 stimulation, suggesting that HSP expression might be regulated via TCR. We found that B-cell lymphoma (BCL) patients have dysregulated expression of intracellular and extracellular HSPs, immune checkpoints PD-1, CTLA-4, and STAT3 in CD3/CD28-activated T cells. Consistent with previous findings, we show that HSP90 inhibition downregulated CD4 and CD8 surface markers in healthy controls and BCL patients. HSP90 inhibition alone or in combination with PD-1 or CTLA-4 inhibitors differentially affected CD4+ and CD8+ T cell degranulation responses when stimulated with allogeneic DCs or CD3/CD28 in BCL patients. Additionally, we showed that HSP90 inhibition does not significantly affect intracellular PD-1 and CTLA-4 expression in CD3/CD28-activated T cells. These findings may provide the basis for the discovery of novel immunological targets for the treatment of cancer patients and improve our understanding of HSP functions in immune cells.

Aberrant HSP90 Expression in Lymphocytes and HSP90 Response to Anti-PD-1 Therapy in Lymphoma Patients

HSP90 family of molecular chaperones has been shown to be implicated in various stages of tumor growth and development. Recent studies have highlighted the role of extracellular HSP90 in tumor immunology, however, the role that HSP90 plays in the regulation of immune responses and the impact of cancer immunotherapy, including immune checkpoint blockade, on HSP90 is still unclear. Here we assessed the surface and intracellular expression of constitutive cytosolic HSP90β isoform, mitochondrial HSP90 homolog TRAP1 and co-chaperone STIP1/HOP in T, NK, B and NKT cells derived from peripheral blood and bone marrow samples of patients with Hodgkin and B-cell Non-Hodgkin lymphomas. HSP90β and STIP1 were overexpressed in B lymphocytes, while TRAP1 expression was decreased in T, B, NK and NKT cells of lymphoma patients. HSP90 overexpression in B cells was not associated with malignant B cell clones, since no clonotypic B cells were detected by immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene rearrangements. PD-1 blockade was found to differently affect the intracellular and surface HSP90 in T, B, NK and NKT cells in patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma. Modulating HSP90 was found to affect the NK cell degranulation response and IFNγ production in lymphoma patients. These findings provide the rationale to further explore HSP90 homologs for improving patient response to cancer immunotherapy.

Heat Shock Proteins in Urine as Cancer Biomarkers

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are a large family of molecular chaperones, which have shown to be implicated in various hallmarks of cancer such as resistance to apoptosis, invasion, angiogenesis, induction of immune tolerance, and metastasis. Several studies reported aberrant expression of HSPs in liquid biopsies of cancer patients and this has opened new perspectives on the use of HSPs as biomarkers of cancer. However, no specific diagnostic, predictive, or prognostic HSP chaperone-based urine biomarker has been yet discovered. On the other hand, divergent expression of HSPs has also been observed in other pathologies, including neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases, suggesting that new approaches should be employed for the discovery of cancer-specific HSP biomarkers. In this study, we propose a new strategy in identifying cancer-specific HSP-based biomarkers, where HSP networks in urine can be used to predict cancer. By analyzing HSPs present in urine, we could predict cancer with approximately 90% precision by machine learning approach. We aim to show that coupling the machine learning approach and the understanding of how HSPs operate, including their functional cycles, collaboration with and within networks, is effective in defining patients with cancer, which may provide the basis for future discoveries of novel HSP-based biomarkers of cancer.

Two types of humoral response in acute myocardial infraction

Background

Atherothrombosis and myocardial infarction are accompanied by the development of an inflammatory reaction. The severity of the immune reaction and its role in the acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remain contradictory to date.

Purpose

The objective of this study was to analyze 39 cytokines and chemokines in the serum of patients hospitalized with AMI compared to the healthy volunteers.

Methods

All patients included in the study were COVID-19 negative. Patients' blood was collected within 1–2 days after hospitalization in the cardiology department. Cytokine and chemokine detection in the serum of patients (n=20) and donors (n=20) was performed using a 39-plex set of cytometric beads.

Results

Among all factors analyzed TGFa, IL-17A, IL-1b, 3, 5, 9 were not detected both in patient and donor sera. Three groups of factors were identified in the normal serum: housekeeping chemokines and vascular factors (F1) ranged from 1000 to 22000 pg/mL (Fig. a); sentinel innate immunity factors F2 (Fig. b), 30–200 pg/mL; and acute phase factors F3 (Fig. c, d), 0–30 pg/mL, detected only in 0–30% of donors but in all AMI patients. Severe imbalance was found in AMI sera at all three levels including chemokine, growth factors, and cytokines. Among AMI patients 65% (Gr1) demonstrated 2–4 times increased level (Fig. a, grey brackets) while 35% (Gr2) had a decreased level of F1 factors in a comparison with donor sera. There was not significant difference between clinical features of the patients in Gr1 and Gr2. GRO, PDGF-AA, and sCD40L levels decreased 35, 15, and 10 times accordingly. Gr1 and Gr2 also differed in F2 and some F3 concentrations: Gr1 had 3–5 times increased level of multiple factors (Fig, b), among them – IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 were increased 5, 6, and 14 times. At the same time Gr2 had a normal level of these factors (Fig, b, blue brackets). Finally, multiple cytokines and growth factors F3 were significantly increased in both AMI groups (Fig, b, d, red brackets). Of note, IL-12, IFN-g, IL-15, GM-CSF, FLT-3T were increased 8, 6, 5, 5, 5 times accordingly in pooled Gr1+Gr2. There were no correlations found between cytokine profiles in Gr1 and Gr2 and their clinical parameters.

Conclusions

Two types of humoral response in AMI patients were identified which differed in the levels of GRO, PDGF-AA, and sCD40L. IL-6 as well as TNF-a can not serve as master cytokines because their levels were increased only in Gr1 patients. These data show that Th1 cytokine increase is specific for AMI. Further studies are needed to identify groups of patients who may be exposed to new therapeutic targets.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

PSIX-12 “Lamarin Saldonum” for the raising of milk production of cows

The aim of the research was to establish the effectiveness of the use of the feed additive “Lamarin Saldonum.” The feed additive contains Japanese kelp, milk thistle, to increase the milk productivity during the milking period. The studies were conducted on 40 cows of the black-and-white Holstein breed at the age of 2–4 lactation and the amount of milk for the last lactation not less than 7,500 kg. The cows were divided into 4 groups (GE1, GE2, GE3, GC) of 10 heads in each. Cows GE1, GE2, GE3 received 30 days before calving daily feed additive in doses of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 g/kg, respectively, for 60 days. In the GC animals didn’t receive the feed additive (control group). Control milking was performed every 10 days. Using of feed additive in the ration increased milk productivity. In the 1st month of lactation, the average daily amount of milk in GC was 24.00±0.93 kg, which is 7.4%, 19.6% (P < 0.01), 7.4% less than in GE1, GE2 and GE3, respectively. In the 2nd month, the highest average daily amount of milk in GE2 and GE3, which is 13.4% (P < 0.01) and 4.6% more than the GC, respectively. In the 3rd month, the average daily amount of milk in GE1, GE2, and GE3 was 30.22±2.44 kg, 39.57±2.68 kg, 35.11±2.59 kg, respectively, which is 6.8%, 39.9% (P < 0.01), 24.1% more than in GC. The mass fraction of fat in milk in animals GE1, GE2, GE3 was 0.2–0.92%(P < 0.01) higher than in GC. In the second month of lactation, the mass fraction of protein in GE2 was higher by 0.24% (P < 0.01), in GE3–by 0.14 (P < 0.05) relative to GC. At the 3rd month of lactation, the protein content in milk was 0.29% higher in GE2 (P < 0.001) and GE3-by 0.21% (P < 0.001) than in GC.

PSX-B-28 Reproductive function of sows with the using of feed additive “Verva”

The aim of the study was to study the effect of the feed additive “Verva” on the reproductive ability of sows and the recovery of their sexual cyclicity. Fir triterpenic acids are the main active ingredient of the feed additive. The study was conducted on 80 sows of the large white breed. Experimental and control groups were formed: GE (n=50), GC (n=30). GE sows from the 80th day of pregnancy for 30 days were additionally given “Verva” at a dose of 3 g per head per day. GC sows weren’t given the “Verva”. Hunting was detected within seven days after weaning the piglets. Artificial insemination was performed twice and the effectiveness was determined on day 28 by ultrasound. The number, weight of newborn piglets in GE and GC don’t differ significantly. By weaning, 10.94±0.17 heads were obtained from one sow in GE, which is 9.1% (p < 0.01) more than in GC. By weaning, the weight of the nest (total weight of piglets) in GC was 66.72=2.13 kg, which is 7.3% (p < 0.05) less than in GE. The “Verva” has a positive effect on the activation of sexual cyclicity: in GE, 95.3% of animals came to the hunt, and in GC-by 4.4% less. On the 4th day after weaning the piglets, 34.1% of the animals came to the hunt in GE, 40% in GC, on the 5th day–46.3% in GE and 50% in GC. On the 6th, 7th days in GE, 17.1% and 2.1% of sows came to the hunt, and in GC, 10.0% and 0.0%, respectively. The efficiency of artificial insemination in GE was 95.4%, which is 13.5% higher than in GC. The “Verva” has a positive effect on the milk production of sows, preserves their progeny, sexual cyclicity after weaning piglets, increases the duration of economic use of animals.

Bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract in patients with acute coronary pathology receiving dual antiplatelet therapy

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None. Main funding source(s): own funds

Routine administration of dual antiplatelet therapy reduces the incidence of thrombotic complications and deaths in patients with acute coronary syndrome. However, the widespread use of antithrombotic therapy in these patients is associated with a significant risk of bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract. Their frequency in patients with AMI according to various data ranges from 1.1% to 2.3%.

Purpose of the study. To determine the risk factors for upper gastrointestinal bleeding and its outcome in patients with acute coronary pathology receiving dual antiplatelet therapy.

Methods. Analyzed 2632 patients with acute myocardial infarction and 2114 patients with unstable angina who were admitted for a 10-year period (2011-2020) and underwent emergency coronary angiography. The average age of patients is 57 ± 9 years, women – 1649 (35%), men – 3097 (65%).

All patients received dual antiplatelet therapy (acetylsalicylic acid and P2Y12 inhibitor). Studies of the state of the gastric mucosa and duodenum were carried out by endoscopic method, which revealed 31 cases of bleeding. Various baseline characteristics and risk factors for upper gastrointestinal bleeding were evaluated.

Results. The source of bleeding was: gastric ulcer - 8 cases (26%), duodenal ulcer - 6 (20%), simultaneously 2 or more ulcers - 4 (14%), multiple acute erosions - 8 (26%), single acute erosions of the antral part of the stomach - 2 (7%), Mallory-Weiss syndrome - 2 (7%) and bleeding from varicose veins of the esophagus - 1 (3%). Clinically, patients noted pronounced weakness, dizziness, coffee ground vomitus was observed in 8 (26%) patients, melena in 14 (45 %) patients. Bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract was detected in 20 patients with AMI (1% of all AMI) and is characterized by a high frequency of deaths (9; 45%). Fatal cases are mainly associated with the appearance of several ulcers of different localization (multiple acute erosions of the stomach and duodenum). In patients with unstable angina, the frequency of bleeding from the upper GIT is about 0.5%, while the duration of hospitalization is extended by an average of 8 days.

Predictors of bleeding from the GIT in patients with acute coronary pathology include

the presence of peptic ulcer disease in the anamnesis, elderly (senile) age, previous long-term use of antiplatelet agents (anticoagulants).

Conclusion

Bleedings from the upper GIT are a serious clinical problem in patients with acute coronary pathology. They are characterized by a long stay in the hospital and a high mortality rate.

Heat Shock Proteins in Lymphoma Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy harnessing the host immune system for tumor destruction revolutionized oncology research and advanced treatment strategies for lymphoma patients. Lymphoma is a heterogeneous group of cancer, where the central roles in pathogenesis play immune evasion and dysregulation of multiple signaling pathways. Immunotherapy-based approaches such as engineered T cells (CAR T), immune checkpoint modulators and NK cell-based therapies are now in the frontline of lymphoma research. Even though emerging immunotherapies showed promising results in treating lymphoma patients, low efficacy and on-target/off-tumor toxicity are of a major concern. To address that issue it is suggested to look into the emerging role of heat shock proteins. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) showed to be highly expressed in lymphoma cells. HSPs are known for their abilities to modulate immune responses and inhibit apoptosis, which made their successful entry into cancer clinical trials. Here, we explore the role of HSPs in Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and their involvement in CAR T therapy, checkpoint blockade and NK cell- based therapies. Understanding the role of HSPs in lymphoma pathogenesis and the ways how HSPs may enhance anti-tumor responses, may help in the development of more effective, specific and safe immunotherapy.

The Role of Heat Shock Protein 70 kDa in Asthma

Asthma is a complex chronic disorder of the airways, affecting immune and structural cells and inducing both protein and tissue remodeling. Heat shock proteins 70 kDa (HSP70s) are highly conserved members of the stress-induced family, possessing precisely described chaperone activity. There is growing evidence of a tight relationship between inflammatory diseases of different origins and the elevation of local HSP70 expression and secretion. Although extracellular HSP70 does not serve as a common marker of asthma, elevated HSP70 levels have been detected in the peripheral blood serum and sputum of patients with asthma, as well as in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of mice with induced allergic airway inflammation. Possessing diverse immunomodulating properties, extracellular HSP70 can manifest different activities in airway inflammatory processes and asthma, acting either as a pro-inflammatory trigger, or an anti-inflammatory agent. This review will discuss the effects and possible mechanisms concerning HSP70 implication in airway inflammation regulation in asthma. We examine ATPase and chaperone activities of HSP70 as potential modulators of immune responses in asthma. Given the crucial role of a chronic inflammatory response in asthma, understanding the effects of HSP70 on immune and structural cells may reveal new perspectives for the therapeutic control of inflammation.

PSVII-18 Role of azoximer bromid in functional system «mother-fetus» in cows

The aim was to study efficiency of Azoxivet (azoximer bromid) for prevention of cows’ postnatal diseases and indirect influence on calves’ growth. Groups of pregnant Holstein cows (> 6000 kg per lactation) were formed (G1,G2,G3). Cows of G1 (n = 20) received Azoxivet intramuscularly once at 7 days prior to expected date of calving at a dose 24 mg. G2 (n = 20) - 24 mg at 14 and 7 days prior to expected date of calving. G3 (n = 20) was control. Single application of Azoxivet at 7 days prior to calving doesn’t lead to lowering trouble of postnatal endometritis: this disease was registered at 60% cows of G1 and 65% cows of G3. In G2, endometritis was recorded only at 40% of animals. The density of the colostrum in of G1 and G2 was varied: 1060.0±3.1-1063.0±2.9 kg/m3, which exceeded the indicator of the G3 by 13–16 kg/m3 (P < 0.05). There was increased amount of whey proteins in colostrum obtained from cows of G1 and G2: the differences were 6.4% and 19.2% (P < 0.05). In the G3 it was 220.5 ± 12.6 g/l. The amount of total immunoglobulins in the colostrum in G1 was 159.7 ± 9.6 g/l, in G2 - 180.6 ± 4.0 g/l, that was higher than in the G 3 by 35.0% (P < 0.05). The incidence of calves received from cows of G1 and G2 was lower than 15%, than G3, and the safety to the 2-month age was 90–95% against 85% in G3. The average alive mass of 1 calf in G3 was 77.5±1.6 kg that was lower than in G1 by 5.7% (P < 0.05), in G2 – by 9.6% (P < 0.01). The mediated immune-correction with Azoxivet through the system of fetus-mother allows to reduce incidence, to increase viability of calves in the first 2 months of life.

PSVII-34 Reproductive qualities of sows using exogenous progesteron

The aim of this study was to research the endocrine status and reproductive quality of sows using a prolonged drug containing 15% progesterone. Endocrine status in sows was examined at 9, 11, 16 and 21 days after insemination. The level of progesterone was determined by enzyme immunoassay. The sows of the experimental group (G1, n = 20) were injected in a dose of 2.0 ml on the 10th day after insemination, the sows of the control group (CG, n = 20) were control. It was found that the level of progesterone in the blood of G1 slightly increases from 9 to 11 days after insemination. In the G1, the steroid concentration increased from 2.28 ± 0.23 to 2.35 ± 0.15 nmmol / L, and in the GC from 2.35 ± 0.07 to 2.58 ± 0.10 nmmol / L. On the 16th day after insemination in G1, the progesterone level was accompanied by a sharp rise of 2.7 times (P < 0.001) - to 6.44 ± 0.58 nmmol / L, the level of the hormone in the GC did not change. The high level of progesterone in this critical period favorably affects the implantation of the embryos and causes a further normal course of pregnancy. On the 21st day after insemination, the progesterone concentration in both groups decreased. However, the level of this steroid hormone in the group when using this hormonal agent remained 1.95 times higher (P < 0.05) than in the control. Also, in G1 there is an increase in multiple pregnancy by 11.55%, the number of live newborn piglets by 23.36%, a decrease in the number of stillborn piglets by 2.14 times (P < 0.05) and mummified fetuses by 11.11%, compared with similar indicators of the control group.

Dimorphism of HLA-E and its Disease Association

HLA-E is a nonclassical member of the major histocompatibility complex class I gene locus. HLA-E protein shares a high level of homology with MHC Ia classical proteins: it has similar tertiary structure, associates with β2-microglobulin, and is able to present peptides to cytotoxic lymphocytes. The main function of HLA-E under normal conditions is to present peptides derived from the leader sequences of classical HLA class I proteins, thus serving for monitoring of expression of these molecules performed by cytotoxic lymphocytes. However, opposite to multiallelic classical MHC I genes, HLA-E in fact has only two alleles—HLA-E*01:01 and HLA-E*01:03—which differ by one nonsynonymous amino acid substitution at position 107, resulting in an arginine in HLA-E*01:01 (HLA-E^R) and glycine in HLA-E*01:03 (HLA-E^G). In contrast to HLA-E^R,HLA-E^G has higher affinity to peptide, higher surface expression, and higher thermal stability of the corresponding protein, and it is more ancient than HLA-E^R, though both alleles are presented in human populations in nearly equal frequencies. In the current review, we aimed to uncover the reason of the expansion of the younger allele, HLA-E^R, by analysis of associations of both HLA-E alleles with a number of diseases, including viral and bacterial infections, cancer, and autoimmune disorders.

Cryptic B-cell epitope identification through informational analysis of protein sequenses

A comparison of the location of B-cell epitopes and information structure (IS) of protein sequences was attempted. Analysis of 62 known B-cell epitopes located in five different proteins showed that they concentrated in IS sites with increased degree of information coordination. Based on the analysis of IS six peptides from two proteins were selected and produced in a recombinant form as yeast virus-like particles (VLPs). Immunization of mice with recombinant VLP-peptides has induced the production of IgG capable of recognizing full-length antigens. This result suggests that the analysis of IS of proteins can be useful in the selection of peptides possessing cryptic B-cell epitope activity.

Clustered carbohydrates as a target for natural killer cells: a model system

Membrane-associated oligosaccharides are known to take part in interactions between natural killer (NK) cells and their targets and modulate NK cell activity. A model system was therefore developed using synthetic glycoconjugates as tools to modify the carbohydrate pattern on NK target cell surfaces. NK cells were then assessed for function in response to synthetic glycoconjugates, using both cytolysis-associated caspase 6 activation measured by flow cytometry and IFN-gamma production. Lipophilic neoglycoconjugates were synthesized to provide their easy incorporation into the target cell membranes and to make carbohydrate residues available for cell-cell interactions. While incorporation was successful based on fluorescence monitoring, glycoconjugate incorporation did not evoke artifactual changes in surface antigen expression, and had no negative effect on cell viability. Glycoconjugates contained Le(x), sulfated Le(x), and Le(y) sharing the common structure motif trisaccharide Le(x) were revealed to enhance cytotoxicity mediated specifically by CD16 +CD56+NK cells. The glycoconjugate effects were dependent on saccharide presentation in a polymeric form. Only polymeric, or clustered, but not monomeric glycoconjugates resulted in alteration of cytotoxicity in our system, suggesting that appropriate presentation is critical for carbohydrate recognition and subsequent biological effects.