COVID-19 and Cancer Diseases-The Potential of Coriolus versicolor Mushroom to Combat Global Health Challenges

Coriolus versicolor (CV) is a common species from the Polyporaceae family that has been used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine for over 2000 years. Among well-described and most active compounds identified in CV are polysaccharopeptides, such as polysaccharide peptide (PSP) and Polysaccharide-K (PSK, krestin), which, in some countries, are already used as an adjuvant agent in cancer therapy. In this paper, research advances in the field of anti-cancer and anti-viral action of CV are analyzed. The results of data obtained in in vitro and in vivo studies using animal models as well as in clinical research trials have been discussed. The present update provides a brief overview regarding the immunomodulatory effects of CV. A particular focus has been given to the mechanisms of direct effects of CV on cancer cells and angiogenesis. A potential use of CV compounds in anti-viral treatment, including therapy against COVID-19 disease, has also been analyzed based on the most recent literature. Additionally, the significance of fever in viral infection and cancer has been debated, providing evidence that CV affects this phenomenon.

Dual Effect of the Extract from the Fungus Coriolus versicolor on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Cytokine Production in RAW 264.7 Macrophages Depending on the Lipopolysaccharide Concentration

Purpose

Extract from the fungus Coriolus versicolor (CV) is classified as an immunological response modifier. Previously, we have shown that this extract induces interleukin 6 (IL-6)-related extension of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced fever. This study investigated the effect of CV extract on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the expression of components of signal transduction pathways leading to the secretion of cytokines from RAW 264.7 macrophages stimulated with different doses of LPS.

Methods

RAW 264.7 cells were stimulated with CV extract alone or co-treated with CV extract and LPS. The level of IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in the culture media was measured using ELISA. Protein expression of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4, phosphorylated IκB (p-IκB), CD14 glycoprotein and phospho-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (p-PI3K) was evaluated using Western blot. The effects of TLR4, nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and p-PI3K on cytokine secretion were estimated using inhibitors: TAK-242, JSH-23 and LY294002.

Results

CV extract itself stimulates the secretion of IL-6 and TNF-α and increases the expression of TLR4, p-IκB and p-PI3K. The presence of CV extract during the treatment of cells with lower concentrations of LPS (10 and 100 ng/mL) increases the cytokine production. Co-stimulation of cells with CV extract and LPS at a higher dose (500 ng/mL) decreases the secretion of cytokines. This effect is related to the changes in the expression of TLR4, CD14 glycoprotein, p-IκB and p-PI3K.

Conclusion

This is the first report showing that the CV extract-induced production of cytokines is mediated by the PI3K signalling pathway. This extract acts antagonistically or additively with LPS on the production of IL-6 and TNF-α, depending on the LPS concentration. Our results are helpful for illustrating the mechanisms for the immunostimulatory effect of CV extract in inflammatory processes.

Pigmentation Levels Affect Melanoma Responses to Coriolus versicolor Extract and Play a Crucial Role in Melanoma-Mononuclear Cell Crosstalk

Melanoma, the malignancy originating from pigment-producing melanocytes, is the most aggressive form of skin cancer and has a poor prognosis once the disease starts to metastasize. The process of melanin synthesis generates an immunosuppressive and mutagenic environment, and can increase melanoma cell resistance to different treatment modalities, including chemo-, radio- or photodynamic therapy. Recently, we have shown that the presence of melanin pigment inhibits the melanoma cell response to bioactive components of Coriolus versicolor (CV) Chinese fungus. Herein, using the same human melanoma cell line in which the level of pigmentation can be controlled by the L-tyrosine concentration in culture medium, we tested the effect of suppression of melanogenesis on the melanoma cell response to CV extract and investigated the cell death pathway induced by fungus extract in sensitized melanoma cells. Our data showed that susceptibility to CV-induced melanoma cell death is significantly increased after cell depigmentation. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to demonstrate that CV extract can induce RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL-mediated necroptosis in depigmented melanoma cells. Moreover, using the co-culture system, we showed that inhibition of the tyrosinase activity in melanoma cells modulates cytokine expression in co-cultured mononuclear cells, indicating that depigmentation of melanoma cells may activate immune cells and thereby influence a host anticancer response.

Protein-Bound Polysaccharides from Coriolus Versicolor Induce RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL-Mediated Necroptosis in ER-Positive Breast Cancer and Amelanotic Melanoma Cells

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The induction of necroptosis, a form of caspase-independent cell death, represents one of the most promising anticancer therapeutic modalities, as necroptosis serves as an alternative way to eliminate apoptosis-resistant tumor cells. Here, we investigated whether protein-bound polysaccharides (PBPs) derived from the fungus Coriolus versicolor (CV) induce the necroptotic death pathway in breast cancer and melanoma cells.

METHODS

MCF-7 and SKMel-188 cells were exposed to PBPs either alone or in combination with necrostatin-1 (Nec-1), GSK'872 or necrosulfonamide (NSA), pharmacological inhibitors of the kinases receptor-interacting protein 1 kinase (RIPK1), receptor interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) and mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL), respectively, which are involved in necroptotic processes. The effects of cellular treatment with these inhibitors were quantified by measuring cell viability and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation via 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) assays, respectively. The morphological changes induced in these cells were detected using holotomographic (HT) microscopy. Activation of the TNF-α/TNFR1 pathway in the PBP-stimulated cells was evaluated using TNF-α-neutralizing antibody, qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence-based assays.

RESULTS

PBPs showed effective antitumor activity against MCF-7 and SKMel-188 cells. Cotreatment of the cells with Nec-1, GSK'872 or NSA abrogated PBP-induced cell death, and the cells were protected against membrane rupture. Moreover, breast cancer cell death caused by PBPs was mediated by induced activation of the TNF-α/TNFR1 pathway. Interestingly, the melanoma cells did not express TNF-α or TNFR1 after PBP stimulation; instead, PBPs triggered intracellular ROS generation, which was partially diminished by the inhibitors Nec-1, GSK'872 and NSA.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that PBPs from the fungus CV induce RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL-mediated necroptosis in breast cancer and melanoma cells, providing novel insights into the molecular effects of PBPs on cancer cells.

Protein-Bound Polysaccharides from Coriolus Versicolor Fungus Disrupt the Crosstalk Between Breast Cancer Cells and Macrophages through Inhibition of Angiogenic Cytokines Production and Shifting Tumour-Associated Macrophages from the M2 to M1 Subtype

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The tumour microenvironment is rich in multiple cells that influence cancer development. Among them, macrophages are the most abundant immune cells, which secrete factors involved in carcinogenesis. Since protein-bound polysaccharides (PBP) from the Coriolus versicolor fungus are believed to inhibit the growth of cancers, in the present study, we investigated whether these PBP influence crosstalk between triple-negative 4T1 breast cancer cells and RAW 264.7 macrophages.

METHODS

4T1 cells were cultured in conditioned media (CM) collected after: stimulation of the macrophages with PBP (CM-PBP) or incubation of non-treated macrophages (CM-NT). A co-cultured model of both cell lines was also employed to investigate the crosstalk between the cells. Cell viability was measured using the MTT assay. The levels of cytokines and chemokines were determined by ELISA methods. Commercial assay kits were used to assess the activity of both arginase 1 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and the level of cell migration.

RESULTS

The results revealed that CM-NT promotes proliferation and migration of 4T1 cells, and increases the secretion of pro-angiogenic factors (VEGF, MCP-1) by cancer cells. In contrast, CM-PBP inhibits 4T1 cell growth and migration, decreases the secretion of pro-angiogenic factors (VEGF, MCP-1) and upregulates the production of pro-inflammatory mediators (IL-6, TNF-α) with certain anti-tumoral properties Moreover, PBP-treated CM significantly decreases the level of M2 macrophage markers (arginase 1 activity, IL-10 and TGF-β concentrations), but upregulates iNOS activity and IL-6 and TNF-α production, which are M1 cell markers.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that PBP suppress the favourable tumour microenvironment by inhibiting the crosstalk between 4T1 cells and macrophages through the regulation of production of angiogenic and inflammatory mediators, and modulating the M1/M2 macrophage subtype.

New Insights into the Role of Glutathione in the Mechanism of Fever

Glutathione is one of the most important and potent antioxidants. The development of pharmacological compounds that can either increase or decrease glutathione concentrations has allowed investigation into the role of glutathione in various biological processes, including immune responses. Recent findings have shown that glutathione not only affects certain factors involved in immunological processes but also modifies complex immune reactions such as fever. Until recently, it was not known why some patients do not develop fever during infection. Data suggest that fever induction is associated with oxidative stress; therefore, antioxidants such as glutathione can reduce pyrexia. Surprisingly, new studies have shown that low glutathione levels can also inhibit fever. In this review, we focus on recent advances in this area, with an emphasis on the role of glutathione in immune responses accompanied by fever. We describe evidence showing that disturbed glutathione homeostasis may be responsible for the lack of fever during infections. We also discuss the biological significance of the antipyretic effects produced by pharmacological glutathione modulators.

Coriolus versicolor-derived protein-bound polysaccharides trigger the caspase-independent cell death pathway in amelanotic but not melanotic melanoma cells

We have investigated the potential cell death mechanism promoted by Coriolus versicolor fungus-derived protein-bound polysaccharides (PBPs) in melanoma cells. Knowing that melanogenesis has the potential to affect the tumor behavior and melanoma therapy outcome, the cytotoxic effects of PBPs were evaluated in human SKMel-188 melanoma cell line, whose phenotype, amelanotic versus pigmented, depends on the concentration of melanin precursors in the culture medium. Our results showed that inhibitory effect of PBPs (100 and 200 μg/ml) towards melanoma cells is inversely associated with the pigmentation level. This cytotoxicity induced in nonpigmented melanoma cells by PBPs was caspase-independent; however, it was accompanied by an increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. The ROS production was controlled by c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) because SP600125, a JNK inhibitor, significantly reduced ROS generation and protected cells against PBPs-induced death. We also found that PBPs-induced lactate dehydrogenase release in amelanotic melanoma cells was abolished by co-treatment with receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 inhibitor, implying engagement of this kinase in PBPs-induced death pathway. The results suggest that PBPs induce an alternative programmed cell death, regulated by receptor-interacting protein-1 and ROS and that this process is modified by melanin content in melanoma cells. These findings are remarkable when considering the use of commercially available Coriolus versicolor by patients who suffer from melanoma cancer.

High mobility group box 1 protein released in the course of aseptic necrosis of tissues sensitizes rats to pyrogenic effects of lipopolysaccharide

It is still an open question as to whether or not aseptic injuries affect the generation of fever due to exogenous pyrogens including bacterial products. Therefore, in the present paper we have investigated the course of endotoxin fever in rats induced with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; given intraperitoneally in a dose of 50 μg/kg) 48 h after subcutaneous administration of turpentine oil (TRP; 0.1 mL per rat) that causes aseptic necrosis of tissues. We found that febrile response was significantly augmented in the animals pre-treated with turpentine compared to control rats (pre-treated with saline), and that observed excessive elevation of body temperature (Tb) was accompanied by enhanced release of fever mediators: interleukin-6 (IL-6) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) into plasma. Moreover, we found that sensitization to pyrogenic effects of lipopolysaccharide was associated with the increase in plasma level of high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1), one of the best-known damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMP), which was recently discovered as inflammatory mediator. Since the injection of anti-HMGB1 antibodies weakened observed hyperpyrexia in the animals pre-treated with turpentine, we conclude that HMGB1 is a plasma-derived factor released in the course of aseptic injury that enhances pyrogenic effects of LPS.

Extract from Coriolus versicolor fungus partially prevents endotoxin tolerance development by maintaining febrile response and increasing IL-6 generation

Endotoxin tolerance is defined as a reduced endotoxin-induced fever following repeated injections of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Clinical examples of endotoxin tolerance include sepsis or cystic fibrosis. This state is characterized by inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines production and decrease in nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation. Extract from Coriolus versicolor (CV) fungus is classified as a biological response modifier, which exhibits various biological activities, including immunopotentiating properties. The aim of study was to examine the effect of CV extract injection on body core temperature of Wistar rats during LPS-induced endotoxin tolerance. Body temperature was measured using biotelemetry. CV extract was injected intraperitoneally (100 mg kg^-1) 2 h prior to the first LPS peritoneal administration (50 μg/kg). Endotoxin tolerance was induced by three consecutive daily injections of LPS at the same dose. We also investigated the influence of CV extract pre-injection on the properties of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from LPS-treated rats in response to LPS stimulation ex vivo. PBMCs were isolated 2 h after the first LPS injection. After 24 h pre-incubation, the cells were stimulated with LPS (1 μg ml^-1) for 4 h. Our results revealed that CV extract partially prevents endotoxin tolerance through maintaining febrile response in rats following consecutive exposure to LPS. This state was accompanied by the ability of PBMCs isolated from rats injected with CV extract and LPS to release larger amounts of interleukin 6 and greater NF-κB activation in response to LPS stimulation ex vivo compared with the cells derived from rats injected only with LPS. Data also showed that CV extract augmented mitogenic effect of LPS on PBMCs and caused increase in reactive oxygen species generation. We concluded that CV extract, by a modifying effect on body temperature during endotoxin tolerance, can be consider as the immunostimulating agent, which prevents the non-specific refractoriness described in patients with sepsis or ischemia.

Dietary chicory root and chicory inulin trigger changes in energetic metabolism, stress prevention and cytoskeletal proteins in the liver of growing pigs - a proteomic study

Currently, a wide array of plant preparations exerting health-promoting properties are commonly used as feed additives. Among them, Cichorium intybus L. have gained considerable attention as a source of compounds showing prebiotic character. Large body of evidence suggests that products of prebiotic fermentation (short-chain fatty acids) may influence the expression of genes encoding liver enzymes involved in the regulation of energetic metabolism. Given the above, the present study was aimed at estimating the influence of a diet supplemented with chicory root or water extract of chicory inulin on liver proteome in growing pigs. The study was performed on 24 castrated male piglets (PIC × Penarlan P76). Animals were assigned to three equal groups (n = 8) and fed cereal-based isoenergetic diets: control and supplemented with 2% of inulin extract from chicory root or 4% of dried chicory root. Liver proteins were separated using two-dimensional electrophoresis, followed by the identification of statistically valid protein spots with the aid of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Both experimental factors significantly modulated the expression of liver proteins associated with energetic metabolism, particularly those involved in cholesterol and triglyceride metabolism. Additionally, both dietary additives induced increased expression of proteins involved in hepatocyte protection against oxidative stress. In the present study, we have shown for the first time that diet supplementation with dried chicory root or inulin caused significant changes in the expression of liver cytoskeletal proteins. Close attention should be paid to the downregulation of cytokeratin 18, hepatic acute phase protein that can enhance the anti-inflammatory properties of inulin-type fructans.

Fever-range hyperthermia inhibits cells immune response to protein-bound polysaccharides derived from Coriolus versicolor extract

The aim of the study was to explore whether fever-range hyperthermia (FRH) might enhance the anticancer and immunoregulatory activities of protein-bound polysaccharides (PBP), a class of fungus derived immunomodifiers used in the cancer adjuvant therapy. Blood lymphocytes and breast cancer cells (MCF-7) were cultured at 39.5°C in humidified atmosphere containing 5% CO₂ for 2h. After rested at 37°C for 6h, the cells were treated with PBP extract at 100- and 300μg/ml concentration. After indicated time, the proliferative response was analyzed and cytokine mRNA expression assessment was performed by qRT-PCR. In animal model, the FRH was induced by placing rats in the Homeothermic Controller with heating blanket. Animals were heated until Tb reached 39.5°C (±0.2°C) and were maintained at this temperature for 30min. The protein-bound polysaccharides solution was injected i.p. at a dose of 100 mg/kg 6h post FRH. Twenty four hours after treatment, the blood was collected and cytokines expression analysis were performed. The results have shown that fever-range hyperthermia has an inhibitory effect on PBP extract-induced proliferative response of blood lymphocytes, as well as IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA expression. Moreover, the temperature of 39.5°C blocks PBP-induced cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cells, which correlates with significant reduction in TNF-α level. Combined treatment of rats (FRH+PBP) results in decrease of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells compared to cells derived from rats treated with protein-bound polysaccharides extract alone. This study demonstrates that fever-range temperature inhibits immunostimulatory as well as anticancer effects mediated by protein-bound polysaccharides.

Protein-bound polysaccharides from Coriolus versicolor attenuate LPS-induced synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines and stimulate PBMCs proliferation

Protein-bound polysaccharides (PBP) isolated from Coriolus versicolor (CV) are classified as biological response modifiers capable of exhibiting various biological activities, such as anti-tumour and immunopotentiating activity. Since we have found in vivo studies that the tested PBP induced prolongation of endotoxin fever in rats, the aim of the present study was to investigate the in vitro effect of the PBP on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by the lipolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated rat peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The results showed that the PBP affect the immunomodulating properties of the LPS-treated PBMCs by the enhancement of mitogenic activity and attenuation of the LPS-induced production of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6. Moreover, the tested polysaccharides peptides themselves also exhibit immunomodulatory properties manifested in the increased cell proliferation and pro-inflammatory cytokine release from PBMCs. The effect of PBP on the both phenomena was time-dependent and occurred in the U-shaped dose response manner. These findings are significant when considering the use of commercially available PBP from CV extract by cancer patients suffering from immunodeficiency, who may experience microbial infections during therapy.

Platelet adhesion to multimerin 1 in vitro: influences of platelet membrane receptors, von Willebrand factor and shear

BACKGROUND

Multimerin 1 (MMRN1) is a large, homopolymeric adhesive protein, stored in platelets and endothelium, that when released, binds to activated platelets, endothelial cells and the extracellular matrix.

OBJECTIVES

The goals of our study were to determine if (i) MMRN1 supports adhesion of resting and/or activated platelets under conditions of blood flow, and (ii) if MMRN1 enhances platelet adhesion to types I and III collagen.

PATIENTS/METHODS

Platelet adhesion was evaluated using protein-coated microcapillaries, with or without added adhesive proteins and receptor antibodies. Platelets from healthy controls, Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) and severe von Willebrand factor (VWF)-deficient donors were tested.

RESULTS

MMRN1 supported the adhesion of activated, but not resting, washed platelets over a wide range of shear rates. At low shear (150 s(-1)), this adhesion was supported by integrins alphavbeta3 and glycoprotein (GP) Ibalpha but it did not require integrins alphaIIbbeta3 or VWF. At high shear (1500 s(-1)), adhesion to MMRN1 was supported by beta3 integrin-independent mechanisms, involving GPIbalpha and VWF, that did not require platelet activation when VWF was perfused over MMRN1 prior to platelets. MMRN1 bound to types I and III collagen, independent of VWF, however, its enhancing effects on platelet adhesion to collagen at high shear were VWF dependent.

CONCLUSIONS

MMRN1 supports platelet adhesion by VWF-dependent and -independent mechanisms that vary by flow rate. Additionally, MMRN1 binds to, and enhances, platelet adhesion to collagen. These findings suggest that MMRN1 could function as an adhesive ligand that promotes platelet adhesion at sites of vascular injury.

Genetic variability of Czech and German RHD virus strains

RHD (rabbit haemorrhagic disease) virus (RHDV) is the aetiological factor of the haemorrhagic disease of rabbits and is currently present on all continents. RHDV is a small, envelope-free virus containing genetic material in the form of a 7437-nucleotide long RNA strand. Studies indicate that genetic variability of RDHV strains originating from various parts of the world is approximately 14%, regardless the time and place of isolation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic variability of 6 RHD virus strains from the Czech Republic (CAMPV-561, CAMPV-562, CAMPV-558) and Germany (Frankfurt, Wika, Rossi) based on analysis of fragment of a gene coding a nonstructural p30 protein. The largest variability of nucleotide sequences within the studied fragment was found for the Rossi strain and CAMPV-562 (13.5%) and CAMPV-558 (13.5%), Wika and Frankfurt (12.1%), and CAMPV-561 and Wika (11.2%). Among the Czech strains the largest genetic distance was noted for strains CAMPV-558 and Iowa (0.130/0.140), and in the case of the German strains, for Frankfurt and Iowa (0.123/0.132). A homology tree constructed based on a fragment of a p30 protein-coding gene divided the 14 analysed strains into IV groups of 88% homology. Phylogenetic relationships also divided the tested strains into 4 genetic groups (G1-G4). The larger genetic distance exists between the Czech and German strains and the American ones, and the smallest between them and the European strains.

[Human diseases caused by chlamydia and chlamydophila]

Chlamydiae and Chlamydophilae are bacteria which are very common in the environment, the proof of which can be the recently described "environmental Chlamydiae". The classical Chlamydiae, such as Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydophila pneumoniae, posed a threat to human health, causing several diseases, including those with lethal course. In this article the biology and systematics of these bacteria and the diseases caused by them in humans, including those caused by classical and environmental Chlamydiae, are presented.

Immune response in farm animals infected or immunised with bacteria of Chlamydia sp. and Chlamydophila sp. genus

Bacteria from genera Chlamydia (Ch.) and Chlamydophila (Chl.) are very pathogenic and may infect humans and animals. They also may cause latent infection, especially in animals. In this paper we discuss the non-specific and specific cellular and humoral immunity in farm animals, after infection or immunisation with Chlamydia sp. and Chlamydophila sp. bacteria. It has been shown, that the infection or immunisation with the microorganisms influenced the activity of polimorphonuclear cells (PMN) and mononuclear cells (MN) in the process of phagocytosis. It has also been shown that the bacteria influenced the amount and activity of lysozyme, activities of myeloperoxidase and lysosomal enzymes. Infection or immunisation with the microorganisms was demonstrated to affect numbers of lymphocytes T and B and those of their subpopulation as well as the activity of cytokines and levels of serum and secreted immunoglobulins. The changes were detected just a few hours after infection or immunisation and persisted for a few days to a few decades.

Selective indices on non-specific cell-mediated immunity in rabbits immunized with Chlamydophila psittaci

INTRODUCTION

Studies of non-specific immunity in infection or immunization with Chlamydophila (Chl.) Psittaci in static experimental models showed changes in parameters of this immunity. The aim of this study was to evaluate selected parameters of non-specific immunity in rabbits immunized with Chl. Psittac.

MATERIAL/METHODS

The study was performed on rabbits, divided into two groups of 10 animals each. The rabbits of the first group were immunized with Chl. Psittaci strain 6BC and those of the second group were control animals. Blood samples were examined 9 times every 7 days. Adherence capacity and ingestion capacity of polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells (index of ingestion, percentage of ingestive cells) were determined in the blood. The cidal capacity of PMN cells was determined by evaluating the reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium test by cytochemical (spontaneous and stimulated tests) and spectrophotometric techniques. The presence of specific antibodies in the sera was estimated by the complement-fixation technique

RESULTS

Analysis of the results of all the studied parameters of non-specific immunity showed tendencies to decrease or increase. These differences appeared on days 7-14 and lasted to days 42-56 of the experiment. Positive titers of specific antibodies appeared on day 42 after immunization, i.e. 5 weeks after the first changes in the parameters of non-specific immunity.

CONCLUSIONS

The alterations noted in the parameters of non-specific immunity may prove useful in determining the condition of a macroorganism in contact with Chl. Psittaci.

[Chlamydia, Chlamydophila, and specific cellular immunity]

In this paper studies are presented on specific cell-mediated immunity in humans and in laboratory and farm animals upon infection or immunization with bacteria of the genera Chlamydia and Chlamydophila. Such infection or immunization was demonstrated to affect the total number of T lymphocytes, their subpopulation profiles their cytotoxicity, and the activity of cytokines. The changes appeared already a few hours after infection or immunization and persisted for days or weeks.

Non-specific humoral immunity in rabbits immunised with Chlamydia psittaci-Gocaltovo strain

In this study we monitored parameters of non-specific humoral immunity in rabbits immunised with Ch. psittaci-Gocaltovo strain and looked for specific anti-Chlamydia antibodies. The results obtained indicated that the parameters evaluated, including activity of myeloperoxidase and the level and activity of lysozyme, manifested alterations earlier than positive titers of specific antibodies developed. This may indicate that alterations in parameters of non-specific humoral immunity can be used as accessory tests in the diagnosis of chlamydioses.

Potential cidal activity of neutrophilic granulocytes in rabbits immunised with Chlamydia psittaci-Gocaltovo strain

The potential oxygen-dependent cidal activity of neutrophilic granulocytes was examined in rabbits immunised with Ch. psittaci-Gocaltovo strain. Tests included a nitrotetrazolium blue (NBT) reduction test and estimation of specific antibody titers. The results obtained indicated that immunization of rabbits with Ch. psittaci-Gocaltovo strain induced increased cidal activity of neutrophilic granulocytes four weeks earlier than the augmented titers of specific antibodies.

Lymphocytes and their subpopulations in peripheral blood of rabbits immunised with Chlamydia psittaci-Gocaltovo strain

The effects of immunisation with Chlamydia psittaci-Gocaltovo strain were examined on the dynamic alterations in lymphocytes T and B and in their subpopulations in the peripheral blood of rabbits; the titer of specific anti-Chlamydia antibodies was also established. The results showed that the examined strain induced alterations in the form of an increased or decreased number of T and/or B lymphocytes and in their subpopulations, and that immunity conditioned by the cells proved to be a very significant variable in infection with Chlamydia psittaci (at present Chlamydophila abortus). Alterations in the immune pattern developed earlier by 35 days as compared to positive titers of specific antibodies.