Laboratory Lead — Anna A. Sominina, Dr.Med.Sci.
Phone: +7 (812) 234–62–11
E-mail: anna@influenza.spb.ru
The Laboratory of Biotechnology of Diagnostic Reagents is a backbone research and development unit of RII supporting influenza laboratory surveillance activities throughout Russia.
While engaged in numerous research projects, the laboratory has developed: MNA producing hybridomas for avian A (H5N1) and (H5N2) influenza and A(H7N3) and (H9N2), including hybridomas for changing sites of HA molecule and conservative epitopes of NP; Hybridomas secreting specific antibodies for HA sites of A(H1N1); Panels of monoclonal antibodies for influenza B Yamagata and Victoria lineages, which open new possibilities in antigenic drift research; MNA producing hybridomas for parainfluenza type 2 and 3 viruses, RSV and adenoviruses; Monoclonal immunofluorescent test systems for laboratory influenza and ARI antigen indication, immuneobsorbent test systems for antibodies detection of influenza, parainfluenza, RSV and adenoviruses; A set of monoclonal reagents for indirect immunofluorescence assay, Influscreen, intended for differential influenza and ARI diagnosis.
Laboratory specialists made enhancements to the previously developed (Grippvirotest) and designed new monoclonal double–label immunofluorescence arrays for influenza A and B antigen detection. Comparative studies showed equal sensivity of Grippvirotest and its foreign counterparts (Thermo Electron’s FLU IOA and FLU IOA A/B, USA, and SD BIOLINE Influenza Ag test, Korea).
Rapid diagnosis systems for influenza A utilizing Thermo Electron optical sensor surfaces and homegrown MNA were developed. These systems reduced the assay time to 20 min and showed equal sensivity and specificity to their foreign counterparts. This proves high quality of produced MNA and, in turn, shows the need for domestically produced high density sorbents to be used in further developing rapid diagnosis systems which can be available “at the bedside”.
The lab has produced of a complex of reagents and methods for A(H5N1) diagnosis and immunity studies(fluorescent immunoglobulins, hemagglutinin Inhibtion assay diagnosticums, microneutralization for influenza antibody indication). Immunogenicity evaluation of several compositions of á(H5N1) vaccine was conducted to choose optimal strain composition. A new technique of concurrent immunofluorescence assay for H5 antibody detection, based on MNA specific to A(H5) HA was developed. It provides level of sensitivity for H5 antibody detection in immunized volunteers’ sera close to that of the microneutralization method. The above technique is utilized in A(H5N1) surveillance in Russia and globally.
The laboratory carried out a detailed comparative study of properties and structure of humoral immunity(including site–directed h. i.) to RSV in various cases of bronchovascular pathologies, based on novel test systems capable of detecting different classes(G, M, A, E) and subclasses(G1–G4) of RSV antigens, including peptide based antigens.
Evolutional variability of influenza B in vitro was investigated as a part of priority studies. Escape mutants were acquired through serial passage with monoclonal antibodies with of antigenic properties and nucleotide changes in immunodominant sites.
A number of investigations in preclinical diagnosis of diabetes mellitus was conducted: detecting auotantibodies to B–cells structure of Langerhans Islets in the pancreas, including islet cell cytoplasmic antigens (ICA), insulin autoantibodies (IAA), glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) – markers of autoimmune destruction of B–cells during type 1 diabetes.
The laboratory team has been actively involved in integration of advancements in influenza and ARI surveillance and treatment into the national healthcare, preparing National Guidance on the Improvement of Influenza and ARI Surveillance System (2005) to be later approved by the Ministry of Health, and developing a pilot project Organizing and Conducting Clinical and Laboratory Sentinel Influenza Surveillance in Russia (2009). Prof. Anna Sominina took part in preparation of National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan (2008) and Emergency Plan for Antiepidemic Measures in Russia (2004).
WHO, EuroWHO, WHO National and Collaborative Influenza Centres – influenza surveillance issues, standardization of diagnostic reagents and modification of influenza vaccine strain compositions.
