A biomimetic composite material based on polylactide (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL) and hydroxyapatite (HAP) with high biocompatibility and osteoconductive properties was developed. The structural and mechanical characteristics of the material were investigated and in vitro and in vivo studies were carried out.

Using mouse model of regeneration of critical size cranial defects, we studied combined effect of 1 and 10 μg of BMP-2 of prokaryotic origin and recombinant erythropoietin (Epostim) injected subcutaneously in the area of bone defect in a total dose of 6000 U/kg. Erythropoietin considerably improved quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the bone tissue in the site of implantation when used in combination with BMP-2 in both concentrations.

Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 with an additional s-tag domain (s-tag-BMP-2) synthesized in E. coli is characterized by higher solubility and activity than the protein without additional s-tag domain, which increases the yield during purification and simplifies protein introduction into the osteoplastic materials. The high osteoinductivity of the demineralized bone matrix with s-tag-BMP-2 was shown on the model of regeneration of cranial defects of a critical size in mice and on the model of implantation of porous titanium matrix into defects of femoral and tibial bones in rabbits.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most widespread and troublesome opportunistic pathogens that is capable of colonizing various human tissues and organs and is often resistant to many currently used antibiotics. This resistance is caused by different factors, including the acquisition of specific resistance genes, intrinsic capability to diminish antibiotic penetration into the bacterial cell, and the ability to form biofilms. This situation has prompted the development of novel compounds differing in their mechanism of action from traditional antibiotics that suppress the growth of microorganisms or directly kill bacteria. Instead, these new compounds should decrease the pathogens' ability to colonize and damage human tissues by inhibiting the virulence factors and biofilm formation. The lectins LecA and LecB that bind galactose and fucose, as well as oligo- and polysaccharides containing these sugars, are among the most thoroughly-studied targets for such novel antibacterials. In this review, we summarize the results of experiments highlighting the importance of these proteins for P. aeruginosa pathogenicity and provide information on existing lectins inhibitors and their effectiveness in various experimental models. Particular attention is paid to the effects of lectins inhibition in animal models of infection and in clinical practice. We argue that lectins inhibition is a perspective approach to combating P. aeruginosa. However, despite the existence of highly effective in vitro inhibitors, further experiments are required in order to advance these inhibitors into pre-clinical studies.

Persistence is a form of interaction of pathogenic bacteria with a host aimed to promote their long-term survivalby means of inactivation of the host's protective systems via modulation of intracellular signal pathways. Persistent forms of a pathogen are refractory to traditional antibiotic therapy and cause chronic infectious diseases. Directed search for protein targets and new antibacterial drugs using computer simulation and experimental testing for the development of innovative preparations to treat chronic bacterial infections appears to have good prospects as a method for the management of persistent infections. A stepwise strategy for realization of such approach is exemplified by the search of preparations against chlamydial infection.