Abstract. Anti-ergotypic response is considered to contribute significantly to the regulation of immune response. Ergotope-associated antigenic determinants include molecules upregulated on the surface of activated T cells (CD25, hsp60 and others). Anti-ergotypic cells are directed against these surface determinants usually complexed to MHC-I and/or MHC-II. Here we demonstrate regulated expression of HLA-Dr, СD25, hsp60 and hTERT mRNA during in vitro activation of peripheral T-lymphocytes with anti-CD3 antibodies and IL - 2, with reactivation on day 7. The percentage of CD25-expressing T cells showed sharp increase as early, as by the day 3 of activation, and it varied only slightly at later terms. The hsp60 levels rose as well, reached a peak at day 3, and gradually decreased thereafter. HLA-Dr expression was induced upon the activation, with a peak at the days 8 or 10. hTERT mRNA amounts also increased, as compared with baseline values, showing two peaks at the days 3 and 8. Anti-ergotopic response may control autoimmunity by targeting the activated T cells, regardless of their specificity. Therefore, immunotherapy of different autoimmune disorders aiming to activate anti-ergotopic responses, may be of a sufficient clinical interest.

The aim of the investigation was to study the immunological characteristics of RA patients with anaemia. Clinical and laboratory data including the percentage of the main lymphocyte subclasses, phagocyte and DTH-effector activity, serum concentration of immunoglobulins, the percentage of cells producing IFNγ and/or IL-4 and percent of monocytes producing TNF. We revealed some significant clinical, laboratory and immunological differences between RA patients and healthy donors and between patients with and without anaemia. Our data demonstrate RA anemic patients to have more severe disorders than patients without anaemia. We also revealed some significant immunological differences between RA patients and healthy donors and between patients with and without anaemia, including percent of cells producing IFNγ and/or IL-4. Our data permit to conclude that RA patients have many different immunological disturbances, more severe in anaemic patients.

Abstract. Present study deals with size measurements of telomeric DNA from the human peripheral mononuclear immune cells in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A method for measuring the relative telomere length by in situ hybridization followed by flow cytometric analysis (flow-FISH) was used. Relative telomere length (RTL) in monocytes was estimated as mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of test cells divided by MFI values of internal control cells. Hybridization conditions for analysis of telomere length in monocytes have been optimized in advance. It has been shown that RTL of monocytes was significantly lower in RA patients compared to donors. Significant differences in telomere length of monocytes between RA patients and donors were revealed for the young persons under 30 years old. The findings obtained may be considered as an additional argument confirming the hypothesis on genetic defects of hematopoietic stem cells determining RA development.

Abstract. Present study deals with size measurements of telomeric DNA from the human peripheral mononuclear immune cells in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A method for measuring the relative telomere length by in situ hybridization followed by flow cytometric analysis (flow-FISH) was used. Relative telomere length (RTL) in monocytes was estimated as mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of test cells divided by MFI values of internal control cells. Hybridization conditions for analysis of telomere length in monocytes have been optimized in advance. It has been shown that RTL of monocytes was significantly lower in RA patients compared to donors. Significant differences in telomere length of monocytes between RA patients and donors were revealed for the young persons under 30 years old. The findings obtained may be considered as an additional argument confirming the hypothesis on genetic defects of hematopoietic stem cells determining RA development.

Objective. To study main parameters of immune status, disease activity measures and serum cytokines profile in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pts with anemia. Material and methods. 20 pts with RA were examined before disease modifying drugs administration. They were divided into 2 groups: with anemia (9 pts) and without it (11 pts). Clinical and laboratory measures of disease activity immune status indices, and serum cytokine levels were compared in these groups. Correlation of hemoglobin level with RA activity measures and serum cytokine levels was analyzed. Results. Pts with anemia had higher clinical and laboratory activity measures (ESR, fibrinogen, CRP, fibrin degradation products and morning stiffness). Granulocytes and monocytes phagocytosis ability in this group was increased, monocytes activity index was significantly lower and interferon у level was significantly increased. Hemoglobin level showed an inverse correlation with RA activity measures and serum proinflammatory cytokine levels (interferon γ, TNF α and IL 6). Conclusion. Development of anemia in RA is usually accompanied by high disease activity. High level of interferon γ may be one of the causes of anemia development. Its neutralization may become a perspective direction of RA anticytokine therapy.