A thorny pathway of macrophage activating factor (GcMAF): from bench to bedside

Vitamin D3 Binding Protein (DBP) is a multifunctional glycoprotein whose main role is to transport vitamin D3 and its metabolites, but it also is the precursor of the macrophage activating factor (GcMAF). DBP is converted to GcMAF as a result of site-specific selective deglycosylation under the action of β-galactosidase and sialidase, localized on activated B and T cells, respectively. GcMAF exerts its biological activity primarily as the capability of activating macrophages by enhancing their phagocytic function and producing ROS. Activation results in elevated expression of the specific macrophageal surface receptors involved in the recognition of tumor-associated antigens, as well as in the implementation of direct anticancer activity by inducing the apoptosis or necrosis of tumor cells. Increased interest in GcMAF is associated with its potential to be used in the clinic as a new antitumor drug. Besides its anti-tumor activity, GcMAF exerts a potential against a number of viral and neurodegenerative diseases associated with increased activity of N-acetylgalactosaminidase (nagalase) in the blood serum of patients. Nagalase is an enzyme that completely (rather than selectively) deglycosylates DBP so it cannot be converted to GcMAF, leading to immunodeficiency. Circulating DBP is composed of unmodified and O-glycosylated molecules with the glycosylation degree being dependent on the allelic variants of the gene encoding DBP. The role of DBP in the resistance of organism against a number of diseases is supported by the increased risk of a variety of severe illnesses (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, colorectal cancer etc.) in patients deficient for GcMAF due to homozygosity for defective DBP alleles. In this review, we also will examine in detail the current data i) on the structure and functions of DBP, as the main precursor of GcMAF, ii) on the main mechanisms of GcMAF anticancer effect, iii) on the tumor strategy for neutralizing GcMAF activity, iv) on the results of GcMAF clinical trials in various cancers; and will discuss the available controversies regarding the positioning of GcMAF as an effective antitumor drug

Effect of macrophage-activating factor (GcMAF-RF) upon ex vivo polarization of macrophages, activation of dendritic cells and production of cytokines by human whole blood cells

This article is the second communication in a series of articles devoted to the effects of a domestic preparation of macrophage-activating factor (GcMAF-RF) and assessment of its biological properties. The aim of this work was to study the effect of the GcMAF-RF upon M0 → M1 polarization of macrophages (Mph), and activation of the professional properties of ex vivo generated antigen-presenting dendritic cells (DC), as well as on ex vivo production of pro-inflammatory (TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6, IFNγ, IL-17, IL-18) and anti-inflammatory (TGF-β, IL-4, IL-10) cytokines, growth factors (IL-2, GM-CSF, G-CSF, VEGF) and chemokines (MCP, IL-8) by the whole blood cells from healthy donors. Mph and DC were generated from the monocytes (3 to 5×106 /ml) derived from adherent fraction of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNC) of healthy donors. Granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) was used to obtain Mph, whereas DC production was induced by GM-CSF and interferon-α. To provide M1 polarizing signals, bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS from E. coli 0114:B4) was used in controls. In experimental series, GcMAF-RF was added 48 h before the end of culture. The stimulating effect of the obtained Mph and DC upon cell proliferation was assessed in allogeneic mixed culture of leukocytes (alloMLC) using radiometric technique, by 3 H-thymidine incorporation. The influence index (IR) of Mph or DC upon allo-SCL was calculated as the ratio of the proliferative response of MNCs in the presence of Mph, or DC to the level of spontaneous MNC proliferation. To determine the cytokine production by human whole blood cells ex vivo, peripheral blood samples from 3 donors with two replicate GcMAF-RF preparations were used, at a total of 6 points. All variants of the study were carried out with mitogen-activated and non-activated blood cells. The cytokine content was determined by the ELISA assays. The effects of GcMAF-RF were quantified as a fold increase (FI), i.e., the ratio of cytokine production in the presence of GcMAF-RF to the level of their spontaneous production. It was shown that the GcMAF-RF preparation was as effective, as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the standard Mph and DC activator which induces polarization of differentiated M0-macrophages into M1 cells and final maturation of DCs, manifesting by a significant increase in their allo-stimulatory activity in a mixed leukocyte culture (allo-MLC). Moreover, GcMAF-RF stimulates production of numerous cytokines and chemokines (TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, IL-4, IL-10, GM-CSF, G-CSF, VEGF, IL-8), by blood cells (granulocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes), thus indicating direct participation of the macrophage activator GcMAF-RF in various immune processes. The domestic GcMAF-RF drug induces polarization of macrophages M0 → M1, final maturation of DCs and allostimulating activity of Mf and DCs, and is also able to effectively stimulate circulating blood cells to synthesize cytokines/chemokines with pro-inflammatory and immunoregulatory activities

Characteristic of the active substance of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae preparation having radioprotective properties

The paper describes some biological features of the radioprotective effect of double-stranded RNA preparation. It was found that yeast RNA preparation has a prolonged radioprotective effect after irradiation by a lethal dose of 9.4 Gy. 100 % of animals survive on the 70th day of observation when irradiated 1 hour or 4 days after 7 mg RNA preparation injection, 60 % animals survive when irradiated on day 8 or 12. Time parameters of repair of double-stranded breaks induced by gamma rays were estimated. It was found that the injection of the RNA preparation at the time of maximum number of double-stranded breaks, 1 hour after irradiation, reduces the efficacy of radioprotective action compared with the injection 1 hour before irradiation and 4 hours after irradiation. A comparison of the radioprotective effect of the standard radioprotector B-190 and the RNA preparation was made in one experiment. It has been established that the total RNA preparation is more efficacious than B-190. Survival on the 40th day after irradiation was 78 % for the group of mice treated with the RNA preparation and 67 % for those treated with B-190. In the course of analytical studies of the total yeast RNA preparation, it was found that the preparation is a mixture of single-stranded and double-stranded RNA. It was shown that only double-stranded RNA has radioprotective properties. Injection of 160 μg double-stranded RNA protects 100 % of the experimental animals from an absolutely lethal dose of gamma radiation, 9.4 Gy. It was established that the radioprotective effect of double-stranded RNA does not depend on sequence, but depends on its double-stranded form and the presence of “open” ends of the molecule. It is supposed that the radioprotective effect of double-stranded RNA is associated with the participation of RNA molecules in the correct repair of radiation-damaged chromatin in blood stem cells. The hematopoietic pluripotent cells that have survived migrate to the periphery, reach the spleen and actively proliferate. The newly formed cell population restores the hematopoietic and immune systems, which determines the survival of lethally irradiated animals

Оценка производственных процессов на наиболее типичных фермах и комплексах по производству молока

The article presents the results of research, according to an energy assessment, of the most common options for combining spatial planning and technological solutions of buildings and structures, the set of technological equipment used on the most typical operating farms and milk production complexes. The most significant elements of technology and technological equipment, its operating modes, energy consumption by cost elements for the processes of preparation and distribution of feed, manure removal and provision of the required microclimate parameters, determining the intensity level of the production process in various variants of building layout and livestock, have been studied. The results obtained allow us to determine the most effective options for mechanization and automation of the production process and improve the technological methods of their implementation.Изложены результаты исследований по энергетической оценке наиболее распространенных вариантов сочетания объемно-планировочных и технологических решений зданий и сооружений, применяемого комплекта технологического оборудования на наиболее типичных фермах и комплексах по производству молока. Изучены наиболее значимые элементы технологии и технологическое оборудование, режимы его работы, энергопотребление по элементам затрат для процессов приготовления и раздачи кормов, удаления навоза и обеспечения требуемых параметров микроклимата, определяющие уровень интенсивности производственного процесса при различных вариантах планировки зданий и поголовья животных. Полученные результаты позволяют определить наиболее эффективные варианты механизации и автоматизации производственного процесса и усовершенствовать технологические приемы их выполнения

ESTIMATION OF THE STABILITY OF TRAITS INDUCED BY TRITON X-100 IN COMMON WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.)

Studies of several generations of common wheat lines carrying changes induced by nonionic detergent Triton X-100 (TX-100) are reported. It is shown that the induced changes recorded in the first generations are also observed in the fourth, fifth and sixth generations

<i>In vitro</i> assay of biological activity of a national preparation of macrophage activating factor (GcMAF-RF)

The article reports an original method for producing vitamin D3-binding protein (DBP) and its conversion into macrophage-activating factor GcMAF-RF. According to an original protocol, DBPs were obtained from human blood plasma using affinity chromatography, purified and modified to GcMAF-RF using cytoimmobilized glycosidases (beta-galactosidase and neuraminidase). The presence of the polypeptide obtained in the Gc group of blood plasma globulins was confirmed by Western blot using specific antibodies. The molecular properties of this polypeptide put it in correspondence with the GcMAF protein described in the literature, which is undergoing clinical trials in the USA, Britain, Israel and Japan (at Saisei Mirai; Reno Integrative Medical Center; Immuno Biotech Ltd; Efranat; and Catalytic Longevity). The biological activity of the GcMAF-RF preparation was detected by the induction of phagocytic activity of macrophages and their ability to produce nitrogen monoxide (NO) in vitro.The phagocytic activity of macrophages was evaluated by their ability to uptake magnetic beads. The degree of activation of macrophages was calculated by the ratio of trapped beads to the total number of macrophages. The level of NO production was estimated by the accumulation of nitrogen monoxide in the culture supernatants of peritoneal macrophages by the colorimetric method using the Griess reagent. It was shown that GcMAF-RF multiplies the phagocytic activity of macrophages and significantly increases their production of nitrogen monoxide. The macrophage activator GcMAF-RF, according to its characteristics, corresponds to similar preparations which are made available to the market by foreign companies, and can be considered as a new biologically active preparation with a wide spectrum of action. Of greatest interest is its ability - through the activation of macrophages - to enhance the adaptive immunity. In this regard, two areas of therapeutic use of the GcMAF-RF are proposed. The preparation will be in demand in the field of cancer treatment, and, in addition, it can be used in the treatment of a number of neurodegenerative pathologies

Molecular differences in genotroph forms of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and their initial cultivars

ABSTRACT By the modified ISSR-amplification method the comparison of the structural organization of enzyme loci in the initial common wheat cultivars and their genotrophs induced with epimutagens: plant niacin acid and niacin acid and its derivatives produced from β-picoline fraction of coal-tar pitch (niacin acid nitrile, isocinchomeronic and benzoic acids) was carried out. It is shown that niacin acid influence causes in genotrophs specific band appearance in PCRprofiles obtained on the DNA of enzyme loci. All these before mentioned epimutagens induced in limits of each genotroph differently directed changes in number and intensity of bands of PCR-profiles