Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Access granted  Restricted Access Subscription Access

Vol 73, No 4 (2018)

Editorial

Cell Kinetic Approaches to the Search for Anti-Aging Drugs: Thirty Years After

Khokhlov A.N.

Abstract

This is a brief overview of the ideas of the possibility of using the cell kinetic model developed by the author in the 1980s to test, in experiments on cell cultures, potential geroprotectors and geropromoters that slow down or accelerate, respectively, the aging process in animals and humans. The history of the evolution of this model—from estimation of only the cell reproduction rate and saturation density in a non-subcultured cell culture to constructing survival curves in the stationary phase of growth and to a further analysis of the possible interrelation between all parts of the curve of cells’ growth and subsequent dying out—is considered. Possible approaches to mathematical and statistical analysis of the data obtained within the framework of this model system are analyzed. It is emphasized that such studies can be carried out on cells of a very different nature (normal and transformed human and animal cells, plant cells, yeast, mycoplasmas, bacteria, etc.), which makes possible an evolutionary approach to the interpretation of the results obtained. At the same time, in the author’s opinion, the most promising experiments are those carried out on immortalized cells of humans and animals, since they are not cancerous on the one hand and have an unlimited mitotic potential on the other hand and, therefore, do not “age” in the process of numerous divisions, as, for example, normal human diploid fibroblasts do. It is assumed that the appropriate mathematical analysis of the entire growth and dying out curve of a non-subcultured cell culture (from seeding into a culture flask to the complete death of all cells) may allow the clarification of certain relationships between the development and aging of a multicellular organism and to increase the reliability of identifying promising geroprotectors.

Moscow University Biological Sciences Bulletin. 2018;73(4):185-190
pages 185-190 views

Reviews

Methods of Gene Therapy for Treatment of Inherited Epidermolysis Bullosa

Beylin A.K., Gurskaya N.G., Vorotelyak E.A.

Abstract

Inherited epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a heterogeneous group of rare genodermatoses with a high skin fragility manifested by the formation of destructive blisters and non-healing erosions on the skin and mucous membranes as a reaction to minor mechanical influences. There are three main types of EB: simple, junctional and dystrophic, each is caused by mutations in genes that encode epidermal, zones of the basement membrane or dermis proteins, respectively. The fourth type of EB is also described–hemidesmosomal or Kindler syndrome with impairments in kindlin-1 protein encoded by the FERMT1 gene. The existing ways to improve the living conditions of patients with EB are at different stages of development: some of them are already used in the clinic, while others are still under laboratory research. Various strategies are used, depending on the type of EB and the nature of mutation inheritance: from the functional gene replacement therapy based on the viral expression to the genome editing methods by programmable synthetic nucleases. The accumulated experience of allogeneic and autologous transplants of skin equivalents opens the prospect for using new approaches to functional gene and cell therapy ex vivo.

Moscow University Biological Sciences Bulletin. 2018;73(4):191-198
pages 191-198 views

Role of Reactive Oxygen Species in Inflammation: A Minireview

Chelombitko M.A.

Abstract

Inflammation is a protective response of a multicellular organism to injury in order to localize, eliminate, and remove harmful stimuli as well as to recover (or replace) damaged tissues. There recently has been increasing evidence that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in the initiation, progression, and resolution of the inflammatory response. Furthermore, ROS act as microbicidal agents and second messengers in the intracellular signaling. The latter function is performed via posttranslational modification of protein- associated redox-sensitive cysteine residues that can undergo oxidation. At the same time, there is clear evidence that overproduction of ROS may result in cell and tissue injury and contribute to chronic inflammation underlying many neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases. This review has focused on the role of ROS in the key inflammatory events (increased vascular permeability and leukocyte extravasation, respiratory burst and phagocytosis, and angiogenesis) and some events leading to the resolution of inflammation. In addition, the pathological function of ROS in oxidative stress is discussed.

Moscow University Biological Sciences Bulletin. 2018;73(4):199-202
pages 199-202 views

Biophysics

Effect of Fungal Infection with Bipolaris sorokiniana on Photosynthetic Light Reactions in Wheat Analyzed by Fluorescence Spectroscopy

Matorin D.N., Timofeev N.P., Glinushkin A.P., Bratkovskaja L.B., Zayadan B.K.

Abstract

Common root rot is a widespread cereal disease caused by a plant pathogenic fungus Bipolaris sorokiniana. The influence of fungal infection on photosynthetic light reactions in soft wheat has been studied by a simultaneous registration of fast and delayed chlorophyll fluorescence induction curves as well as the redox state of a P700 pigment. In the case of infected plants, the reduction of a quantum yield of electron transport in the photosystem II (ϕE0) and performance index on absorption basis (PIABS), as well as the increase of energy dissipation per a reaction center (DI0/RC) and ΔpH-dependent nonphotochemical fluorescence quenching (qE), has been observed. A reduction of the induction peak of delayed chlorophyll fluorescence at 10–50 ms has been revealed. Reactions of the photosystem I show a greater resistance to fungal infection as compared with photosystem II. Parameters of chlorophyll a fluorescence induction may be used for the early diagnostics of pathogen-induced changes in the physiological state of plants.

Moscow University Biological Sciences Bulletin. 2018;73(4):203-208
pages 203-208 views

Botany

Germination of Aristolochia Seeds (Aristolochiaceae)

Nakonechnaya O.V., Nesterova S.V., Voronkova N.M.

Abstract

We studied the seed morphology and germination of 17 Aristolochia species (A. arborea, A. baetica, A. inflata, A. gigantea, A. gracilis, A. clematitis, A. contorta, A. fimbriata, A. labiata, A. littoralis, A. macrophylla, A. manshuriensis, A. maxima, A. rotunda, A. sempervirens, A. tomentosa, A. trilobata). The seeds of A. clematitis, A. contorta, A. trilobata, A. labiata, and A. maxima, as well as all species of Siphisia section (seeds with no wings), have the higher seed morphometric parameters. The seed weight characteristics of species typical of tropical climatic zones (the Gymnolobus section) were lower by ten or more times than those of the species of the other two sections, which are typical of a temperate climate. The greater weight of seeds studied for the species of Siphisia and Diplolobus sections is associated with the presence of a voluminous endosperm, which is required for the embryo development after a long period of time between dissemination and seedlings emergence. The period from sowing to the beginning of germination and the length of the germination period differ between species; the duration of germination is from 1 month to 3.5 years. The seeds of the species from temperate climatic zones (sections Diplolobus and Siphisia) have a non-deep simple morphophysiological dormancy, and the germination starts 1–11 months after seed sowing. We observed intervals in germination from 2 to 12 months in the species of the Diplolobus section; after the intervals, the germination process was continued. The seeds of most of the Gymnolobus section species from tropical zones have a morphological type of dormancy and germinate without intervals. The prolonged germination period and the type of morphophysiological dormancy of seeds have an adaptive value for the species conservation and survival in situ and ex situ.

Moscow University Biological Sciences Bulletin. 2018;73(4):209-216
pages 209-216 views

Hydrobiology

The First Record of Thalassiosira angulata (Bacillariophyceae) Bloom in the White Sea: Spatial Distribution and Associated Species

Radchenko I.G., Shevchenko V.P., Kravchishina M.D., Il’inskii V.V., Georgiev A.P., Tolstikov A.V., Chul’tsova A.L., Ilyash L.V.

Abstract

Species composition and biomass of phytoplankton (Bsum), concentration of chlorophyll “a” and nutrients, and hydrophysical conditions were studied on July 5–12, 2011, at 29 stations in the White Sea. The chlorophyll “a” concentration and Bsum in the surface water layer corresponded to the level of phytoplankton bloom (>1 mg/m3 and >30 mg C/m3, respectively), except for two stations. For the first time, the dominance of diatom Thalassiosira angulata by biomass was recorded for a vast area of the White Sea; in the surface layer, the abundance and biomass of this species reached up to 24 × 103 cells/L and 34.56 mg C/m3, respectively. Even higher values (179 × 103 cells/L and 258 mg C/m3) were noted at one of the coastal stations at a 3-m depth. The stability of the water column (positive relation) and salinity (negative relation) were the main factors affecting the spatial variability of the T. angulata biomass.

Moscow University Biological Sciences Bulletin. 2018;73(4):217-221
pages 217-221 views

Physiology

Investigation of Characteristics of a Motor-Imagery Brain–Computer Interface with Quick-Response Tactile Feedback

Lukoyanov M.V., Gordleeva S.Y., Grigorev N.A., Savosenkov A.O., Lotareva Y.A., Pimashkin A.S., Kaplan A.Y.

Abstract

One of the approaches in rehabilitation after a stroke is mental training by representation of movement using a brain-computer interface (BCI), which allows one to control the result of every attempt of imaginary movement. BCI technology is based on online analysis of an electroencephalogram (EEG), detecting moments of imaginary movement representation (reaction of sensorimotor rhythm desynchronization) and presenting these events in the form of changing scenes on a computer screen or triggering electro-mechanical devices, which essentially is feedback. Traditionally used visual feedback is not always optimal for poststroke patients. Earlier, the effectiveness of tactile feedback, triggered only after a long-time mental representation of the movement, for several seconds or more, was studied. In this work, the efficiency of quick tactile feedback with motor-imagery-based BCI was investigated during classification of short (0.5 s) EEG segments. It was shown that quick tactile feedback is not inferior to the visual feedback and that it is possible to create BCI with tactile feedback that allows a quick reward of physiologically effective attempts of motor imagery and operates with acceptable accuracy for practical use. Furthermore, under certain conditions, tactile feedback can lead to a greater degree of sensorimotor rhythm desynchronization in subjects in comparison with the visual feedback, which can serve as a basis for constructing an effective neurointerface training system.

Moscow University Biological Sciences Bulletin. 2018;73(4):222-228
pages 222-228 views

Entomology

A Study on Allometry of Wing Shape and Venation in Insects. Part 1. Hymenoptera

Belyaev O.A., Farisenkov S.E.

Abstract

Allometry of wing shape is very common among insects, since wing-air interaction and aerodynamics of flight are largely depend on body size. In the present work we have studied allometry of wing shape and venation on wide range of representatives of Hymenoptera. It has been shown that by increase in body size, the aspect ratio of forewings grows, and the center of the area shifts towards the base; similar parameters of hindwings do not correlate with size of the insects. Geometric morphometric methods permitted to reveal allometric tendencies in arrangement of wing vein elements common for the hymenopterans studied. At increase of body size, the cells of central region of forewings stretch in longitudinal direction, the cells of distal and proximal regions reduce in length. In the case of hindwings, most families with increase in body size show elongation of the cells in proximal zone and shortening of the cells in distal zone.

Moscow University Biological Sciences Bulletin. 2018;73(4):229-235
pages 229-235 views