Projects / Programmes
Systemic autoimmune diseases
January 1, 2009
- December 31, 2014
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 3.01.00 |
Medical sciences |
Microbiology and immunology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B500 |
Biomedical sciences |
Immunology, serology, transplantation |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 3.05 |
Medical and Health Sciences |
Other medical sciences |
Antiphospholipid syndrom, antiphospholipid antibodies, Sjoegren's syndrome, ultrasound of salivary glands, disfunction of parasimphathetic system, systemic sclerosis, arterial hypertension
Researchers (35)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
The field of immunology is one of the most rapidly growing areas of scientific experimental and clinical research. Foundations of immunology lay in molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysical chemistry, molecular biotechnology, molecular genetics and clinical medicine. In many countries, including Slovenia, rheumatology covers systemic autoimmune diseases. We have been involved in these studies for more than 15 years. Our recent program deals with three diseases in which the disturbances in humoral immunity play at least a very important if not a crucial role in the pathogenesis of the diseases. The program integrates
a/clinical and laboratory research of antiphospholipid syndrome and antiphospholipid antibodies,
b/clinical studies of Sjoegren's syndrome with special emphasise on salivary glands together with the detection of antibodies against sinthetic peptides of muscarinic acethylcholine receptors,
c/the epidemiological study of arterial hypertension in systemic sclerosis with the studies of functional characteristics of small and middle size artery walls.
Significance for science
The research group is studying systemic autoimmune diseases. Since patients with systemic autoimmune diseases are also prone to early development of cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, the following research fields are studied: 1. The broad field of thromboses in autoimmune systemic diseases 2. Diseases of the vasculature 3. Autoimmunity and autoimmune antibodies as diagnostic and prognostic tools (epitope and avidity studies and development/optimization of methodologies) 4. Inflammation, using serum amyloid A as an acute phase protein and a marker of inflammation in systemic autoimmune diseases with an inflammatory component, especially where C-reactive protein does not work well to indicate inflammation. The research group uses, among other methods, molecular, cellular technologies, quantitative PCR, atomic force microscopy, surface plasmon resonance, as well as performs cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. Research is being conducted at the basic and translational (research laboratory), routine (diagnostic laboratory) and clinical levels within the Department of Rheumatology, UKC-Lj, as well as between departments in UMC-Lj (Neurology, Pulmology, Hypertension), and with international collaborations to achieve the main goal of optimizing prediction, prevention and personalized care of patients.
Significance for the country
The research group has the main intent of achieving better patient health and care. The results of the research programme are important for Slovenia from the the following points of view: 1. Using optimization in our diagnostic, routine laboratory (e.g. antiphospholipid antibodies, anti-prothrombin antibodies and serm amyloid A (SAA) as an inflammatory marker). The diagnosis and prognosis are based on standard markers, among them autoantibodies and inflammatory markers, such as SAA and CRP, which play important roles. 2. Transfer of knowledge derived from research into clinical practice, such as the patent for the detection of anti-dsDNA autoantibodies as an improved, novel routine laboratory test, for the direct benefit of the patient. 3. We organized and hosted the 7th Autoimmunity International Congress with more than 1600 participants. 4. We developed the electronic Registrar of patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases, who are taking biological drugs, in order to improve their safety. 5. We organized and hosted a 3-day international, multicenter workshop on Serum Amyloid A, the measurements of which were introduced into routine practice. 6. Involvement in many international research projects. 7. Leading and coordinating an international multicenter consortium on serum amyloid A, as an important marker of inflammation. 8. We were mentors of many undergraduate/masters and doctoral students.
Audiovisual sources (1)
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
2012,
2013,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
2012,
2013,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
