Browsing by Author "Popadic, D. (6602255798)"

The influence of a nucleoside analog 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-AzadC) on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-dependent nitric oxide (NO) production in various rat cell types was investigated. In C6 astrocytoma cell line and primary astrocytes, 5-AzadC enhanced proinflammatory cytokine (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1)-triggered NO synthesis in a time- and dose-dependent manner. In contrast, 5-AzadC did not potentiate NO production in IFN-γ-stimulated macrophages, fibroblasts, or endothelial cells. Blockade of transcription or translation in C6 cells abolished the observed effect, suggesting the iNOS gene expression, rather than its catalytic activity, as a target for the drug action. Accordingly, 5-AzadC upregulated IFN-γ-induced expression of iNOS mRNA in C6 astrocytes. The effect of 5-AzadC on astrocyte NO release was blocked by the inhibitor of p44/42 mitogen activated protein kinase-dependent signaling. Finally, the observed stimulatory effect of 5-AzadC on iNOS expression was apparently independent of DNA demethylation, as DNA digestion with methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme HpaII showed that 5-AzadC failed to demethylate cellular DNA in conditions used for iNOS induction. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The influence of a nucleoside analog 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-AzadC) on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-dependent nitric oxide (NO) production in various rat cell types was investigated. In C6 astrocytoma cell line and primary astrocytes, 5-AzadC enhanced proinflammatory cytokine (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1)-triggered NO synthesis in a time- and dose-dependent manner. In contrast, 5-AzadC did not potentiate NO production in IFN-γ-stimulated macrophages, fibroblasts, or endothelial cells. Blockade of transcription or translation in C6 cells abolished the observed effect, suggesting the iNOS gene expression, rather than its catalytic activity, as a target for the drug action. Accordingly, 5-AzadC upregulated IFN-γ-induced expression of iNOS mRNA in C6 astrocytes. The effect of 5-AzadC on astrocyte NO release was blocked by the inhibitor of p44/42 mitogen activated protein kinase-dependent signaling. Finally, the observed stimulatory effect of 5-AzadC on iNOS expression was apparently independent of DNA demethylation, as DNA digestion with methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme HpaII showed that 5-AzadC failed to demethylate cellular DNA in conditions used for iNOS induction. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Background: Vitamin A and D analogues play an important role in epidermal homeostasis and are used in the treatment of various skin diseases. The failure of retinoid and vitamin D treatments is sometimes difficult to explain. Methods: We analyzed the effect of all-trans retinoic acid (all-trans RA), 13-cis retinoic acid (13-cis RA), ergocalciferol and cholecalciferol in keratinocyte cultures established from adult donors, on the cell proliferation by means of [3H]thymidine incorporation and apoptosis after fluorescein diacetate/trypan blue staining. Results: All tested agents exerted a dose-dependent inhibition of keratinocyte proliferation in the concentration range of 1.25-5 μM. Based on IC50 values, the antiproliferative efficiency was as follows: cholecalciferol > ergocalciferol = all-trans RA > 13-cis RA. The observed effect of cholecalciferol and ergocalciferol, but not retinoids, involved the induction of apoptotic cell death. Combining vitamins A and D did not further increase the proliferation block and even displayed an antagonistic effect. Conclusion: The susceptibility of keratinocytes to the antiproliferative action of vitamins A and D was markedly different in cell cultures derived from different donors, indicating a possible predictive value of the in vitro testing for the efficiency of the clinical response to these agents. Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG.

Background: Vitamin A and D analogues play an important role in epidermal homeostasis and are used in the treatment of various skin diseases. The failure of retinoid and vitamin D treatments is sometimes difficult to explain. Methods: We analyzed the effect of all-trans retinoic acid (all-trans RA), 13-cis retinoic acid (13-cis RA), ergocalciferol and cholecalciferol in keratinocyte cultures established from adult donors, on the cell proliferation by means of [3H]thymidine incorporation and apoptosis after fluorescein diacetate/trypan blue staining. Results: All tested agents exerted a dose-dependent inhibition of keratinocyte proliferation in the concentration range of 1.25-5 μM. Based on IC50 values, the antiproliferative efficiency was as follows: cholecalciferol > ergocalciferol = all-trans RA > 13-cis RA. The observed effect of cholecalciferol and ergocalciferol, but not retinoids, involved the induction of apoptotic cell death. Combining vitamins A and D did not further increase the proliferation block and even displayed an antagonistic effect. Conclusion: The susceptibility of keratinocytes to the antiproliferative action of vitamins A and D was markedly different in cell cultures derived from different donors, indicating a possible predictive value of the in vitro testing for the efficiency of the clinical response to these agents. Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG.

A group of European FOCIS Centers of Excellence adapted panels of the Human Immunophenotyping Consortium (HIPC) for whole blood analysis. Using four core panels [T/regulatory T cell/B/natural killer (T/Treg/B/NK) and myeloid cells] the main leukocyte populations were analyzed in a clinical–diagnostic setting in a harmonized manner across different platforms. As a first step, the consortium presents here the absolute and relative frequencies of the leukocyte subpopulations in the peripheral blood of more than 300 healthy volunteers across six different European centers. © 2020 The Authors. Clinical & Experimental Immunology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Society for Immunology

The etiology of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is multifactorial and includes genetic, environmental, hormonal, and immunological factors. Inheritance of certain Human class II leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles is by far the best-established predisposing factor for the development of PV. Class II HLA alleles vary among racial/ethnic backgrounds.We have determined an association between HLA class II alleles and PV among the Serbian population. A total of 72 patients with confirmed diagnosis of PV were genotyped for HLA class II alleles. HLA frequencies were compared with unrelated healthy bone marrow donors. The statistical significance of differences between patients and controls was evaluated using Fisher’s exact test. The DRB1*04 and DRB1*14 allelic groups were associated with PV (P adj=4.45 × 10-13 and 4.06 × 10-19 respectively), while HLA-DRB1*11 was negatively associated with PV (P adj=0.0067) suggesting a protective role. DRB1*04:02, DRB1*14:04, DQB1*03:02 and DQB1*05:03 alleles were shown to be strongly associated with PV (P adj=1.63 × 10-12, 5.20× 10-7, 1.28× 10-6, and 4.44 × 10-5, respectively). The frequency of HLA DRB1*04-DQB1*03 and HLA DRB1*14-DQB1*05 haplotypes in PV patients was significantly higher than in controls (31.3% vs 8.8%, P adj =7.66 × 10-8 and 30.6% vs 6.3%, P adj=3.22 × 10-10, respectively). At high-resolution level, statistical significance was observed in HLA-DRB1*04:02-DQB1*03:02 and HLA-DRB1*14:04-DQB1*05:03 haplotypes (P adj=5.55 × 10-12, and P adj=3.91 × 10-6, respectively). Our findings suggest that HLA-DRB1*04:02, DRB1*14:04, HLA-DQB1* 03:02 and DQB1*05:03 alleles and HLA-DRB1*04:02-DQB1*03:02 and HLA-DRB1*14:04-DQB1*05:03 haplotypes are genetic markers for susceptibility for PV, while DRB1*11 allelic group appears protective in Serbian population. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

The etiology of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is multifactorial and includes genetic, environmental, hormonal, and immunological factors. Inheritance of certain Human class II leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles is by far the best-established predisposing factor for the development of PV. Class II HLA alleles vary among racial/ethnic backgrounds.We have determined an association between HLA class II alleles and PV among the Serbian population. A total of 72 patients with confirmed diagnosis of PV were genotyped for HLA class II alleles. HLA frequencies were compared with unrelated healthy bone marrow donors. The statistical significance of differences between patients and controls was evaluated using Fisher’s exact test. The DRB1*04 and DRB1*14 allelic groups were associated with PV (P adj=4.45 × 10-13 and 4.06 × 10-19 respectively), while HLA-DRB1*11 was negatively associated with PV (P adj=0.0067) suggesting a protective role. DRB1*04:02, DRB1*14:04, DQB1*03:02 and DQB1*05:03 alleles were shown to be strongly associated with PV (P adj=1.63 × 10-12, 5.20× 10-7, 1.28× 10-6, and 4.44 × 10-5, respectively). The frequency of HLA DRB1*04-DQB1*03 and HLA DRB1*14-DQB1*05 haplotypes in PV patients was significantly higher than in controls (31.3% vs 8.8%, P adj =7.66 × 10-8 and 30.6% vs 6.3%, P adj=3.22 × 10-10, respectively). At high-resolution level, statistical significance was observed in HLA-DRB1*04:02-DQB1*03:02 and HLA-DRB1*14:04-DQB1*05:03 haplotypes (P adj=5.55 × 10-12, and P adj=3.91 × 10-6, respectively). Our findings suggest that HLA-DRB1*04:02, DRB1*14:04, HLA-DQB1* 03:02 and DQB1*05:03 alleles and HLA-DRB1*04:02-DQB1*03:02 and HLA-DRB1*14:04-DQB1*05:03 haplotypes are genetic markers for susceptibility for PV, while DRB1*11 allelic group appears protective in Serbian population. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

We examined rs2201841 within IL-23R gene in Serbian patients with psoriasis and healthy controls. G allele frequency was significantly increased in the group of patients with psoriatic arthritis compared with controls (0.481 vs 0.308). Carriage of G allele increases risk to develop psoriatic arthritis (P = 0.009, OR = 3.311, 95% CI 1.29-8.70). © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

We examined rs2201841 within IL-23R gene in Serbian patients with psoriasis and healthy controls. G allele frequency was significantly increased in the group of patients with psoriatic arthritis compared with controls (0.481 vs 0.308). Carriage of G allele increases risk to develop psoriatic arthritis (P = 0.009, OR = 3.311, 95% CI 1.29-8.70). © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Highly reactive gaseous free radical nitric oxide (NO), generated by astrocytes and infiltrating macrophages is implicated in inflammatory destruction of brain tissue, including that occurring in multiple sclerosis. Therefore, the influence of immunosuppressive drug leflunomide on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-dependent NO production in rat astrocytes and macrophages was investigated. Under the same cultivating conditions, leflunomide's active metabolite A77 1726 caused a dose-dependent decrease of NO production in IFN-γ+LPS-stimulated primary astrocytes, but not in macrophages. While A77 1726 did not alter iNOS enzymatic activity, it markedly suppressed IFN-γ+LPS-triggered expression of iNOS mRNA in astrocytes. In the presence of transcription inhibitor actinomycin D, A77 1726 failed to inhibit astrocyte NO production, suggesting transcriptional regulation of iNOS by leflunomide. This assumption was further supported by the ability of A77 1726 to inhibit IFN-γ+LPS-induced expression of mRNA for an important iNOS transcription factor IRF-1. PD98059, a specific inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK/MEK), but not genistein, an unselective protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor, completely mimicked cell type-specific inhibition of NO synthesis by A77 1726. Therefore, previously described inhibition of MEK/MAP pathway by leflunomide could present a possible mechanism for A77 1726-mediated suppression of iNOS activation in astrocytes. Accordingly to results obtained with primary astrocytes, both A77 1726 and PD98059 significantly reduced IFN-γ+LPS-induced NO synthesis in the cultures of rat astrocytoma cell line C6. The ability to suppress iNOS induction in astrocytes supports potential use of leflunomide in the treatment of multiple sclerosis and other NO-dependent inflammatory brain disorders. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V.

Highly reactive gaseous free radical nitric oxide (NO), generated by astrocytes and infiltrating macrophages is implicated in inflammatory destruction of brain tissue, including that occurring in multiple sclerosis. Therefore, the influence of immunosuppressive drug leflunomide on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-dependent NO production in rat astrocytes and macrophages was investigated. Under the same cultivating conditions, leflunomide's active metabolite A77 1726 caused a dose-dependent decrease of NO production in IFN-γ+LPS-stimulated primary astrocytes, but not in macrophages. While A77 1726 did not alter iNOS enzymatic activity, it markedly suppressed IFN-γ+LPS-triggered expression of iNOS mRNA in astrocytes. In the presence of transcription inhibitor actinomycin D, A77 1726 failed to inhibit astrocyte NO production, suggesting transcriptional regulation of iNOS by leflunomide. This assumption was further supported by the ability of A77 1726 to inhibit IFN-γ+LPS-induced expression of mRNA for an important iNOS transcription factor IRF-1. PD98059, a specific inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK/MEK), but not genistein, an unselective protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor, completely mimicked cell type-specific inhibition of NO synthesis by A77 1726. Therefore, previously described inhibition of MEK/MAP pathway by leflunomide could present a possible mechanism for A77 1726-mediated suppression of iNOS activation in astrocytes. Accordingly to results obtained with primary astrocytes, both A77 1726 and PD98059 significantly reduced IFN-γ+LPS-induced NO synthesis in the cultures of rat astrocytoma cell line C6. The ability to suppress iNOS induction in astrocytes supports potential use of leflunomide in the treatment of multiple sclerosis and other NO-dependent inflammatory brain disorders. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V.