Vol 22, No 2 (2025)

Many recent studies have focused on regulatory T cells (Tregs). These cells are crucial to maintain immune tolerance and regulate the immune response to autoantigens, allergens, pathogens, and tumors. Manipulating Treg activity and differentiation is considered a potential approach for treating immune-mediated diseases. There are currently two main strategies: inducing or suppressing the activity of these cells. Several studies have demonstrated that eliminating or suppressing Tregs from the tumor microenvironment improves the prognosis of patients with cancer.

Nanotechnologies opens up new possibilities for manipulating Tregs using different types of nanoparticles, including inorganic, organic, and hybrid ones. Through antibodies, RNA, peptides, and toxins conjugated to them, it is possible to create nanoparticles that selectively affect Tregs. However, clinical application of these nanoparticles is limited by several factors, such as poorly understood long-term toxicity, stability, and in vivo biocompatibility. Once these limitations are overcome, nanoparticles will undoubtedly lead to new approaches for treating immune-mediated diseases by manipulating Treg activity.

This review analyzes the potential for direct interaction between Tregs and various types of nanoparticles. Publications from 2009 to 2025 were searched in the PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases using the keywords Treg, nanoparticles, and in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial infarction–associated cardiogenic shock (MI-CS) remains a condition with high mortality despite advances in reperfusion therapy. In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to the role of systemic inflammation and immunothrombosis in its pathogenesis.

AIM: This work aimed to assess the types of immune responses and the functional state of the platelet hemostatic system in patients with MI-CS and to analyze their association with clinical outcomes.

METHODS: This pilot cohort study included 24 patients with MI-CS. The type of immune response was determined based on leukocyte and lymphocyte counts, and platelet functional activity was assessed using low-frequency piezothromboelastography. Statistical analysis included nonparametric tests, multivariable logistic regression, and Kaplan–Meier survival analysis.

RESULTS: The mortality rate was 20.8% (n = 5). Activation of innate immunity predominated in 52.6% of survivors, whereas activation of adaptive immunity was observed in 80% of nonsurvivors (p = 0.048). In nonsurvivors, a trend toward shortening of the contact phase of coagulation was noted despite dual antiplatelet therapy. The lowest values of this parameter were recorded in cases with adaptive immune activation and immune areactivity.

CONCLUSION: Activation of adaptive immunity and platelet hyperactivation are associated with poor prognosis in MI-CS. Immunohematologic profiling may improve risk stratification and help optimize therapy.

BACKGROUND: The functional state of neutrophils plays a key role in the pathogenesis of sepsis; however, the effect of lactate on their phagocytic activity and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) remains insufficiently studied. Current data are limited to general concepts regarding the impact of lactate on the immune system, whereas information on the response of neutrophils from patients with sepsis to in vitro lactate exposure is scarce.

AIM: This work aimed to investigate the effect of in vitro lactate exposure on phagocytosis and ROS production by neutrophils in patients with sepsis.

METHODS: The study included patients with confirmed sepsis (n = 28) and healthy volunteers (n = 18). Blood samples were collected on the first day after hospitalization and diagnostic confirmation. The phagocytic activity of immature and mature neutrophils was assessed by flow cytometry. ROS production was evaluated using chemiluminescence analysis. All experiments were performed under standard conditions (control) and with in vitro lactate exposure.

RESULTS: Under control conditions, the phagocytic index of mature neutrophils did not differ between healthy donors and patients with sepsis; however, the mean fluorescence intensity was higher in septic patients. Lactate moderately increased the phagocytic index in patients without affecting control values, whereas the elevated fluorescence level persisted. Immature granulocytes demonstrated a similar pattern. Spontaneous and stimulated lucigenin- and luminol-dependent chemiluminescence in patients with sepsis were characterized by a prolonged time to peak, reduced intensity, and a smaller area under the curve, indicating suppression of neutrophil function. Lactate exposure further increased the time to peak.

CONCLUSION: In sepsis, neutrophils preserve phagocytic activity (regardless of maturation stage), but the respiratory burst is delayed. In vitro lactate exposure enhances phagocytosis with virtually no effect on ROS generation, suggesting its selective modulation of neutrophil functions and potential to promote inflammatory activity while attenuating the mechanisms of completed phagocytosis.

On July 20, 2025, Vladimir Aleksandrovich Kozlov, a distinguished Soviet and Russian immunologist, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor, and Doctor of Medical Sciences, celebrated his 85th birthday. After graduating from the Novosibirsk Medical Institute in 1963, he advanced from junior research fellow to its director. He currently serves as the Science Director of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution Research Institute of Fundamental and Clinical Immunology (RIFCI) and heads the Laboratory of Clinical Immunology at RIFCI. In addition to his research activities, V.A. Kozlov has led departments of clinical immunology for many years—first at Novosibirsk State Medical University and later at Novosibirsk National Research State University. He also serves as a scientific supervisor for postgraduate students and mentors residents at RIFCI.

V.A. Kozlov is the author and coauthor of more than 1,250 scientific publications, including 15 monographs and 7 manuals and textbooks. He holds 36 patents, 9 authorship certificates, and 1 discovery diploma.

This article outlines the main scientific and professional achievements of the academician, highlights the fundamental principles of immunotherapy and cell technologies developed under his leadership—which have become the hallmark of the institute—and discusses his current innovative ideas.