Relevance. The epidemiological situation in the world is characterized by an increase in the incidence of orthopoxvirus infections in humans and animals. In this regard, it is necessary to develop new safe vaccines against these infections.Aim. Conducting preclinical studies on the specific activity of the live vaccine against smallpox and other orthopoxvirus infections VACΔ6 based on the vaccinia virus (VACV) with six deleted virulence genes are presented.Matherials and methods. The studies were performed in accordance with the requirements of the Guidelines for conducting preclinical studies of drugs (immunobiological preparations), the State Pharmacopoeia XIII and the European Pharmacopoeia 7.0.Results and discussion. The vaccine strain VACΔ6 VACV showed significantly reduced neurovirulence in the model of intracerebral administration to suckling mice, and reduced inflammatorynecrotic activity in the model of intradermal administration to rabbits compared to the classical first­generation smallpox live vaccine approved for use in Russia. Preclinical studies of three series of the finished dosage form of the VAC∆6 vaccine showed its authenticity, thermal stability, non­pyrogenicity and safety. Double intradermal vaccination of rabbits at a dose of 106 PFU/animal, a 100% protective effect was provided against the intranasal infection of rabbits with VACV strain HB­-92 at a dose of 1995 LD50 and a double intradermal vaccination of mice at a dose of 106 PFU/animal, full protection was provided against the intranasal infection of mice with ectromelia virus strain K1 at a dose of 56 LD50.Conclusion. Based on the conducted complex of studies, it can be concluded that the created vaccine of the fourth generation VACΔ6 is safer compared to the live smallpox vaccine of the first generation and is not inferior to it in immunogenic and protective properties.

Разработаны оптимальные условия для приготовления сухих стерильных питательных сред (питательная среда Игла МЕМ сухая стерильная, питательная среда DMEM сухая стерильная, питательная среда 199 модифицированная сухая стерильная) и приготовления из них жидкой формы. Это позволит получать высококачественные результаты при выращивании культур клеток в лаборатории, а также удешевит стоимость питательных сред. Сухие стерильные питательные среды прошли все контроли и показали хорошие результаты ростовой активности на клеточных культурах Vero, L-68 и Нер-2, что свидетельствует о качестве сухих стерильных питательных сред. Цель настоящего работы – оптимизация технологии производства сухих стерильных питательных сред и оценка их применения для культивирования клеток млекопитающих.

Разработаны оптимальные условия для приготовления питательной среды бессывороточной ВекторВак-ПС2 сухой стерильной. Это позволит получать высококачественные результаты при культивировании клеток MDCK и Vero и удешевит стоимость питательной среды в отличие от жидкой. Разработка такой сухой стерильной питательной среды является одной из важнейших задач в биотехнологии, поскольку имеет ряд преимуществ: жидкая питательная среда требует специального хранения и транспортировки, а сухая питательная среда представляет собой порошок, который очень легко хранить и транспортировать. Целью настоящей работы является конструирование сухой стерильной питательной среды бессывороточной ВекторВак-ПС2 и оценка возможности ее применения для культивирования клеток MDCK и Vero.

Культуры клеток широко применяют в различных направлениях современной науки и медицинской практики. Коллекции культур клеток обеспечивают сохранение клеточных линий в строго соблюдаемых условиях их поддержания. В фонде Коллекции содержится 14 линий и сублиний клеток насекомых. Приведена информация о составе Коллекции клеток насекомых. Культуры охарактеризованы в соответствии с национальными требованиями.

Vaccination of the population is one of the most effective countermeasures in responding to the pandemic caused by novel coronavirus infection. Therefore, scientists all over the world have been working to develop effective and safe vaccines. We have developed a synthetic peptide vaccine, EpiVacCorona, against novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which is a suspension for intramuscular administration containing a composition of chemically synthesized peptide immunogens of the S protein of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus conjugated to a carrier protein and adsorbed on aluminum hydroxide. Phase I–II clinical trials of the vaccine have started that consist of two stages: Stage 1 is an open study of the safety, reactogenicity, and immunological activity of the vaccine with the involvement of 14 volunteers aged 18–30 years; Stage 2 is a single blind, comparative, randomized placebo-controlled study with the involvement of 86 volunteers. The study involved volunteers aged 18–60 years; the vaccine was injected intramuscularly twice, spaced 21 days apart between injections. All local reactions in response to vaccine administration were mild, such as a short-term pain at the injection site. There were no signs of development of local or systemic adverse reactions. The two-dose vaccination scheme induced the production of antibodies, specific to the antigens that make up the vaccine, in 100% of the volunteers. Seroconversion with a neutralizing antibody titer ≥ 1:20 was reported in 100% of the volunteers 21 days following the second immunization dose. No seroconversion was reported in the groups of volunteers vaccinated with a placebo. The peptide-based EpiVacCorona Vaccine has low reactogenicity and is a safe, immunogenic product. Clinical Trials Identifier: NCT04527575.

Development and implementation in clinical practice of recombinant human erythropoietins (rhEPOs) remain a priority task today. Additional studies were performed in order to obtain clinical trial authorisation for rhEPO tablets for oral use. The studies were aimed to demonstrate the suitability of the erythropoietin producer strain based on Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHOpE) for the production of rhEPO, and the compliance of the substance characteristics with the requirements for erythropoietin (EPO).The aim of the study was to characterise the rhEPO substance obtained from the CHOpE strain cells in accordance with the requirements for EPO.Materials and methods: the rhEPO substance was obtained by culturing the strain of Chinese hamster ovary cells—CHOpE. The expression construct of the producer strain was evaluated using methods for determination of nucleotide and amino acid sequences. The Sanger method was used to perform sequencing of the nucleotide sequence encoding the human EPO gene. The amino acid sequences of the rhEPO molecule C- and N-termini were determined by the Edman method. The copy number of the EPO gene in CHOpE cells was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The properties of the rhEPO substance were evaluated in accordance with the requirements for EPO. Isoelectric focusing, peptide mapping, and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were used for identification of the rhEPO substance. The ratio of isoform composition was determined by capillary electrophoresis. Dimer impurities and high molecular weight related substances were determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography. The content of protein and residual nucleic acids was determined by spectrophotometry. The concentration of the rhEPO substance was assessed by enzyme immunoassay.The results of the study confirmed genetic stability of the CHOpE producer strain and demonstrated identity of N- and C-terminal amino acid sequences of the rhEPO molecule to those of the natural EPO. The CHOpE producer strain was used to obtain a rhEPO substance which is homogenous and does not contain impurities of EPO oligomeric forms. Dimers and high molecular weight related substances account for less than 0.5%. The rhEPO molecular weight ranges from 32 to 38 kDa, and the isoelectric point is within 2.8—4.15. The study identified the peaks of isoforms 1–8, the isoform composition of the rhEPO substance corresponds to that of EPO. It was determined that 1 mol of the substance contains 13.75 mols of sialic acids.Conclusions: the study confirmed the suitability of the CHOpE producer strain for the production of rhEPO. The obtained rhEPO substance meets requirements for EPO.

The CombiHIVvac candidate vaccine against HIV-1/AIDS containing two synthetic polyepitope immunogens such as TBI and TCI to stimulate the humoral and cellular response is described. The recombinant TBI protein is constructed as a polypeptide with predetermined tertiary structure and contains epitopes of Env and Gag proteins of HIV-1. TCI contains CD8 + CTL and CD4 + Th epitopes of the major viral proteins such as Env, Gag, Pol and Nef which are highly conserved among subtypes A, B and C of HIV-1. A gene encoding the polyepitope TCI immunogen is inserted into a pcDNA-3.1 plasmid vector. The CombiHIVvac vaccine was designed as virus-like particles containing the pcDNA-TCI plasmid in their cores (DNA vaccine) and the TBI protein conjugated with polyglucin on their surfaces. Immunogenicity and safety of CombiHIVvac has been shown in preclinical studies in several animal species. Phase I clinical trials of the vaccine have been completed and the results obtained in human volunteers confirmed that the CombiHIVvac candidate vaccine was safe and did not cause side effects, at the same time, inducing the HIV-specific humoral and cellular immune response. The phase II clinical trials have been approved by the Ministry of Health and Social Development of the Russian Federation.

Seeding and working cell banks were created and stored in cell culture collection. The banks were certified in accordance with international and national requirements. Cultures of 293, MT-4, L-68, FECH-16-1, FECH-16-2, 4647, MDCK, CHO TK - , and CHO pE cells were recommended by Medical Immunobiological Preparation Committee for the use in the production of medical immunobiological preparations. The stock is sufficient enough for supplying standard cell material for the production of medical immunobiological preparations over few decades.

Apart from its function during translation, human ribosomal protein L11 plays a role in regulating the cell cycle. Changes in transcription of its gene (HRPL11) can be involved in the cell cycle control and ribosome assemblage. To study the mechanisms regulating the HRPL11 expression, the interaction of HRPL11 promoter elements with nuclear extract proteins obtained from different cells was examined. Using oligonucleotide competitors containing known transcription factor-binding sites and polyclonal antibodies, it was shown that transcription factor YY1 participated in the regulation of HRPL11 transcription in all cell lines under study. Comparison of the sets of proteins binding to the HRPL11 promoter for rapidly growing cells, normal cell lines, and cells repressed by serum deprivation indicated that YY1 probably activates HRPL11 transcription.

The impact of culturing conditions (multiplicity of cell culture infection with influenza virus, composition of growth and maintenance nutrient media) for the efficiency of multiplication of cold-adapted reassortant vaccine strains of influenza A and B viruses was evaluated. Soybean hydrolysate protein-based biological additive to nutrient medium provided effective reproduction of influenza A virus in MDCK cells in the presence of 2 µg/ml trypsin. The use of soybean peptone-based stabilizer provided retention of infectious titer of influenza virus grown in MDCK culture after its lyophilization to a level of 8.5 lg EID50/ml.

The seeding and working banks of a 4647-cell culture have been created. The 4647-cell culture in these banks has a high proliferative activity, as well as the morphology, typical of this line, and the karyotype and the enzymogram, which are characteristic for the cells of an African talapoin (Cercopithecus aethiops). The culture is not contaminated with bacteria, fungi, Mycoplasma, and viruses, including oncoviruses. The deposited 4647 cells have high viral productive properties for the accumulation of the recombinant virus strain b7,5S2-S vaccine and keep the stability of all biological properties during a long-term cultivation. The continuous 4647 cell line was tested at the L. A. Tarasevich State Institute of SK. The seeding and working banks of 4647-cell culture at passages 108 and 128 are recommended as a substrate for cultivation of the strain b7,5S2-S vaccinia, used to prepare a bivaccine against smallpox and hepatitis B.

Seeding and working banks of the continuous MDCK cell culture suitable for the production of cultured influenza vaccine were created and deposited at liquid nitrogen temperature at the "Vector" State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology. The MDCK cell culture was shown to have morphology typical of the discussed cell line; it does not have any alien agents and is oncogenically safe; its enzimogram and karyotype are typical of the donor line; finally, its biological properties are stable during a long period of cultivation and its sensitivity to influenza virus is high, therefore, it can be recommended for the production of influenza vaccine. The continuous MDCK cell line was certified at Tarasevich Committee and was recommended by the MIBP Committee, Russia's Health Ministry, for its use as a substrate in the production of diagnostic and preventive immunoglobulins.

Optimal conditions were developed for cultivating the cold-adapted reassortant live influenza vaccine (CARLIV) in MDCK cells, which were in their turn cultivated in fermenters with serum-free medium and microcarrier. The use of MDCK cells meets all national and WHO requirements to continuous cells used in the production of biological preparations. CARLIV cultivated under such conditions well preserve their ts-mutations and mutation, which entail substitutions of amino acids, in all CARLIV genome segments. Provided the cultivation conditions are optimal, the output of multivalent CARLIV in a 101 fermenter can reach 100000 doses.