Age-Related Features of the Response of Cancer Stem Cells and T Cells in Experimental Lung Cancer

The responses of tumor stem cells and various populations of CD4 and CD8 T cells of young and aged C57BL/6 mice were studied in a lung cancer model. Using Lewis lung carcinoma cell line, an orthotopic model of lung cancer was modeled. Cancer stem cells, circulating tumor cells, and various populations of CD4 and CD8 T cells in the blood and lung tissue were studied by cytometry. We revealed age-related differences in the content of various populations of CD4 and CD8 T cells in the blood and lungs of intact young and aged mice. Age-related features of the reaction of various populations of cancer stem cells and CD4 and CD8 T cells in the blood and lungs of animals in the Lewis lung carcinoma were shown.

Age-Related Features of the Early Period of Liver Regeneration after Partial Hepatectomy in Rats

Regenerative processes in the liver were studied in 3-month-old (young) and 9-month-old (aged) male Wistar rats on day 1 after 30 and 70% hepatectomy. Regardless of the resected liver volume, shifts in the biochemical parameters of the serum in aged rats were more pronounced than in young animals. After 30% hepatectomy, no age differences in the rate of hepatic regeneration were found, while after 70% liver resection this parameter was higher in young rats. Hepatectomy in young rats led to recruitment of MSC, hepatocyte precursors, endothelial and epithelial progenitor cells into the liver parenchyma and increased fluidity of the plasma and mitochondrial membranes of hepatocytes. In aged rats, the recruitment of MSC, hepatocyte precursors, and endothelial progenitor cells into the injured liver was impaired and the rigidity of the mitochondrial membranes of hepatocytes increased.

Regenerative Potential of Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor Immobilized by Using Electron-Beam Synthesis Nanotechnology in an Experimental Model of Ovarian Reserve Depletion

The pharmacological activity of granulocyte CSF (G-CSF) immobilized using electron-beam synthesis nanotechnology (imG-CSF) was evaluated in an experimental model of ovarian reserve depletion. The effectiveness of the drug was compared with that of its unmodified form. Depletion of the ovarian follicular pool in female Sprague-Dawley rats was caused by a single intravenous injection of the antitumor drug etoposide in the maximum tolerated dose. The effectiveness of the studied drugs was assessed by serum concentration of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) measured by ELISA and by the number of primordial, two-layer, multilayer, and atretic follicles counted on serial sections of the ovaries (5-μm thick; through the entire organ) stained with hematoxylin and eosin. It was found that imG-CSF prevents depletion of the ovarian reserve in the model used, which was confirmed by high AMH concentration and higher numbers of primordial, two- and multilayer follicles in comparison with the corresponding parameters in the control (etoposide), and by a decrease in the severity of atretic processes. Unmodified form of the drug demonstrated lower efficiency.

The Role of Cancer and Somatic Stem Cells in the Anti-Inflammatory and Antitumor Effects of Aconitum baicalense Extract on Experimental Breast Cancer

We studied the effects of the extract of the terrestrial part of Aconitum baicalense in BALB/c female mice at the early stages after the injection of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU). The extract reduced inflammatory activity and tumor growth in the mammary gland. The antitumor and anti-inflammatory effects of the extract are based on the inhibition of cancer stem cells, hematopoietic stem cells, and hematopoietic progenitor cells that promote inflammation. The extract of A. baicalense disrupted the recruitment of epithelial progenitor cells and angiogenesis precursors to the mammary gland preventing neovascularization and transformation of epithelial cells into tumor cells.

Xenon-Induced Effects in Relieving Experimental Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

The effects of inhalations of an oxygen-xenon (70%/30%) mixture were studied in two models of acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by intratracheal administration of 0.5 mg/kg LPS or 0.04 ml acidin-pepsin (pH 1.2). Inhalation of the oxygen-xenon mixture inhibited the development and reduced the intensity of the inflammatory process in the lung tissue, which was assessed by the dynamics of lung weight and body weight of animals: the therapeutic exposure decreased both parameters. It was found that the thrombogenic stimulus, pathognomonic for the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome, decreased under the effect of oxygen-xenon inhalations, while the level of natural anticoagulant antithrombin III increased.

Early Diagnostic Markers and Therapeutic Targets for Experimental Breast Cancer

Various stem cells were studied in female BALB/c mice at the early terms after administration of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea to search early diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets. At these terms, damage to the epithelium and endothelium, inflammation, and fibrosis were observed in the mammary gland, but the tumor was not detected. Cancer stem cells, hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), hematopoietic progenitor cells, angiogenic precursors, and epithelial progenitor cells were found in the blood and mammary gland. Cancer stem cells (CD44⁺CD24^-) are proposed as the early diagnostic marker of breast cancer, and short-living HSC, hematopoietic progenitor cells, and angiogenic precursors (CD45-CD117⁺FLK-1⁺) as predictors of the formation of tumor microenvironment.

Age-Related Features of the Viscosity of Plasma and Mitochondrial Membranes of Hepatocytes in Liver Cirrhosis

The viscosity of plasma and mitochondrial membranes of hepatocytes was studied in young (3-month-old) and old (9-month-old) male Wistar rats. It was shown that viscosity of hepatocyte plasma and mitochondrial membranes in young rats under optimal vital functions in the area of protein-lipid membrane contacts was significantly lower than in old rats. No age-related differences in the viscosity of lipid-lipid membrane contacts and in the polarity of protein-lipid contacts and lipid layers were found. Liver cirrhosis induced by carbon tetrachloride and ethanol administration was associated with increased fluidity of the plasma and mitochondrial membranes of hepatocytes in rats of both age groups. The decrease in membrane viscosity in young rats occurred due to a decrease of the viscosity in the area of protein-lipid and lipid-lipid contacts, while in old rats in the area of protein-lipid contacts. Carbon tetrachloride and ethanol did not affect the polarity of lipid contacts and lipid layers.

Genetic Factors as the Basis of Sex Differences in Damage to Lung Endothelium and Regulation of Angiogenesis Cells in Modeling Pulmonary Emphysema in C57BL/6 Mice with Dyslipidemia and Hyperglycemia

We studied the formation of injuries in lung endothelium and the response of angiogenesis cells during modeling of pulmonary emphysema in male and female C57BL/6 mice with metabolic disorders. Hemodynamic disturbances and reduction in the area of the microvasculature caused by combined pathology in male mice were more pronounced than in females. Mobilization and migration of angiogenic precursors were impaired in both male and female mice. In males, activity of recruiting endothelial progenitor cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, luminal cells of nascent vessels and pericytes into the lungs was additionally reduced. In females, accumulation of endothelial progenitor cells (CD45^-CD31⁺CD34⁺), vascular smooth muscle cells, and pericytes in the lungs was observed, which indicated activation of endothelial regeneration. Sex differences in the reaction of the lung endothelium and angiogenesis cells can be explained by genetic factors of lipid and glucose metabolism.

Blockade of Dopamine D2 Receptors as a Novel Approach to Stimulation of Notch1+ Endothelial Progenitor Cells and Angiogenesis in C57BL/6 Mice with Pulmonary Emphysema Induced by Proteases and Deficiency of α1-Antitrypsin

We studied the effects of spiperone, a selective blocker of dopamine D2 receptors, on the model of pulmonary emphysema provoked by administration of elastase and D-galactosamine hydrochloride to female C57BL/6 mice and characterized by activation of proteases in the lungs and systemic deficiency of its inhibitor α1-antitrypsin. In this model, spiperone prevented the development of inflammatory reaction and reduced the area of emphysematous expanded alveolar tissue. The expression of angiogenic marker CD31 in the lungs increased under these conditions. Regeneration of the damaged microvascular bed under the action of spiperone resulted from recruiting of Notch1⁺ endothelial progenitor cells (CD45^-CD31⁺CD34⁺) into the lungs and blockade of the inhibitory effect of dopamine on phosphorylation of VEGF-2 receptors in endothelial cells of different maturity. In addition, spiperone produced a protective effect on hepatocytes and restored the production and secretion of α1-antitrypsin by these cells.