It was shown that IgGs from the sera of 2–7‐month‐old control non‐autoimmune (CBA x C57BL)F1 and BALB/c mice and 2–3‐month‐old autoimmune prone MRL‐lpr/lpr mice (conditionally healthy mice) are catalytically inactive. During spontaneous development of deep systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)‐like pathology a specific reorganization of immune system of these mice leads to conditions associated with a production of IgGs hydrolyzing DNA, ATP and polysaccharides with low catalytic activities (conditionally pre‐diseased mice).A significant increase in DNase, ATPase and amylase IgG relative activities associated with a transition from pre‐diseased to deep diseased mice is correlated with additional changes in differentiation and proliferation of mice bone marrow haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and lymphocyte proliferation in different organs.The highest increase in all abzyme activities was found in mice immunized with DNA, which in comparison with pre‐diseased and diseased mice are characterized by a different profile of HSC differentiation and by a suppression of cell apoptosis. Abzyme activities in the serum of pregnant females were comparable with those for pre‐diseased mice, but the profile of HSC differentiation and cell apoptosis levels in pregnant and pre‐diseased mice were quite different. Right after the beginning of lactation (4 days after delivery) and in a late time of lactation (14 days after delivery) there was an observed increase in cell apoptosis and two different stages of significant change in the HSC differentiation profiles; the first stage was accompanied with a significant increase and the second with a remarkable decrease in abzyme activities. Overall, all mouse groups investigated are characterized by a specific relationship between abzyme activities, HSC differentiation profiles, levels of lymphocyte proliferation, and cell apoptosis in different organs. From our point of view, the appearance of ATPase, DNase activities may be considered the earliest statistically significant marker of mouse spontaneous SLE and a further significant increase in their activities correlates with the appearance of SLE visible markers and with an increase in concentrations of anti‐DNA Abs and urine protein. However, development of autoimmune (AI)‐reactions and the increase in the sera anti‐DNA antibodies (Abs) and in the abzyme activities in pregnant and lactating mice do not associate with SLE visible markers and proteinuria. The possible differences in immune system reorganizations during pre‐disease, disease, pregnancy and lactation leading to production of different auto‐antibodies and abzymes are discussed.

The phenotype and functional properties of antigen-presenting cells (APC), that is, circulating monocytes and generatedin vitromacrophages and dendritic cells, were investigated in the patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) differing in lymphocyte reactivity toM. tuberculosisantigens (PPD-reactive versus PPD-anergic patients). We revealed the distinct impairments in patient APC functions. For example, the monocyte dysfunctions were displayed by low CD86 and HLA-DR expression, 2-fold increase in CD14⁺CD16⁺expression, the high numbers of IL-10-producing cells, and enhanced IL-10 and IL-6 production upon LPS-stimulation. The macrophages which werein vitrogenerated from peripheral blood monocytes under GM-CSF were characterized by Th1/Th2-balance shifting (downproduction of IFN-γcoupled with upproduction of IL-10) and by reducing of allostimulatory activity in mixed lymphocyte culture. The dendritic cells (generatedin vitrofrom peripheral blood monocytes upon GM-CSF + IFN-α) were characterized by impaired maturation/activation, a lower level of IFN-γproduction in conjunction with an enhanced capacity to produce IL-10 and IL-6, and a profound reduction of allostimulatory activity. The APC dysfunctions were found to be most prominent in PPD-anergic patients. The possible role of APC impairments in reducing the antigen-specific T-cell response toM. tuberculosiswas discussed.

Apoptosis and subsequent removal of dead cells are an essential part of wound healing. Macrophages phagocytize apoptotic cells (efferocytosis) and contribute to the resolution of inflammation. However, their participation in fibrogenesis and the mechanisms of influence on this process remain unclear. In the present study, we focused on the fibrogenic properties of human monocyte-derived macrophages polarized in the M2 direction by interaction with apoptotic cells. We studied their influence on the proliferation ([3H]-thymidine incorporation), differentiation (by the expression of α-SMA, a myofibroblast marker) and collagen-producing activity (ELISA) of dermal fibroblasts compared to classically (LPS) and alternatively (IL-4) activated macrophages. Macrophages polarized by the interaction with apoptotic cells had a unique phenotype and profile of produced factors and differed from the compared macrophage subtypes. Their conditioned media promoted the proliferation of dermal fibroblasts and the expression of α-SMA in them at the level of macrophages stimulated by IL-4, while the stimulating effect on the collagen-producing activity was more pronounced compared to that of the other macrophage subtypes. Moreover, they are characterized by the high level of production of pro-fibrotic factors such as TIMP-1, TGF-β1 and angiogenin. Taken together, M2-like macrophages polarized by efferocytosis demonstrate in vitro pro-fibrotic activity by promoting the functional activity of dermal fibroblasts and producing pro-fibrotic and pro-angiogenic factors.