We studied the mechanisms of regenerative (wound healing) effects of songorine associated with functional activation of mesenchymal progenitor cells. The key role of FGF receptors on these progenitor cells in the stimulation of realization of their growth potential under the effect of the alkaloid was demonstrated. Under in vitro conditions, the antibodies to FGF receptor abolished the songorine-induced increase in the number of fibroblast colony-forming units in bone marrow cell culture. The intensity of differentiation of mesenchymal precursors remained unchanged.

Signal pathways of realization of growth potential of mesenchymal progenitor cells related to transcription factor NF-κB were studied in vitro. NF-κB was found to participate in the proliferation and differentiation of progenitor elements that can be blocked by its specific inhibitor oridonin. NF-κB inhibitor aurothiomalate had no effect on the functions of fibroblastic CFU.

Specific JNK and p53 inhibitors stimulated the formation of fibroblast colonies (CFU-F) and clusters (ClFU-F) and increased proliferative activity of mesenchymal progenitor cells. No effects of inhibitors of JNK and p53 on differentiation of progenitor elements were revealed.

A novel specific inhibitor of c-Jun N-terminal kinase, 11H-indeno[1,2-b]quinoxalin-11-one oxime sodium salt (IQ-1S), has a high affinity to JNK3 compared to JNK1/JNK2. The aim of this work was to study the mechanisms of neuroprotective activity of IQ-1S in the models of reversible focal cerebral ischemia (FCI) in Wistar rats. The animals were administered with an intraperitoneal injection of IQ-1S (5 and 25 mg/kg) or citicoline (500 mg/kg). Administration of IQ-1S exerted a pronounced dose-dependent neuroprotective effect, not inferior to the effects of citicoline. Administration of IQ-1S at doses of 5 and 25 mg/kg reduced the infarct size by 20% and 50%, respectively, 48 h after FCI, whereas administration of citicoline reduced the infarct size by 34%. The administration of IQ-1S was associated with a faster amelioration of neurological status. Control rats showed a 2.0-fold increase in phospho-c-Jun levels in the hippocampus compared to the corresponding values in sham-operated rats 4 h after FCI. Administration of IQ-1S at a dose of 25 mg/kg reduced JNK-dependent phosphorylation of c-Jun by 20%. Our findings suggest that IQ-1S inhibits JNK enzymatic activity in the hippocampus and protects against stroke injury when administered in the therapeutic and prophylactic regimen in the rat model of FCI.

We studied the role of signaling pathways in the regulation of erythropoiesis against the background of myelosuppression caused by administration of 5-fluorouracil. The important role of cyclic AMP in the maturation of erythroid progenitors after cytostatic treatment was demonstrated. The secretory activity of myelokaryocytes during the period of erythroid hemopoiesis recovery is mainly regulated via the p38 MAPK signaling pathway; non-erythropoietin factors are involved in the formation of erythropoietic activity of adherent cells of the microenvironment.