SVIBOR - Project code: 3-01-127

MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Strossmayerov trg 4, HR - 10000 ZAGREB
tel.: +385 1 459 44 44, fax: +385 1 459 44 69
E-mail: ured@znanost.hr

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Project code: 3-01-127


Mechanisms of immunoreactions and immunomodulation


Main researcher: DEKARIS, DRAGAN (9136)


Assistants
Type of research: basic
Duration from: 01/01/91. to 10/01/95.
Papers on project (total): 234
Papers on project quoted in Current Contents: 36
Institution name: Imunološki zavod, Zagreb (21)
Department/Institute: Division for Clinical and Experimental Immunology and Chemistry Department for Cellular Immunology Department for Transplantation Immunology
Address: Rockefellerova 10
City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia
Communication
Phone: 385 (0)1 430-333
Fax: 385 (0)1 277-278
Summary: To contribute to understanding of the mechanisms of immunoreactions, these aspects of the immune reactions were investigated: a) influence of chronobiological rhythms on immunoreactions, b) relation between systemic and local immunity, c) role of cell surface molecules and receptors in immunoreactions, d) implications of activation markers and their relation to the amount of DNA content during cell activation, and e) role and interaction of cytokines and inflammatory mediators in immunoreactions. Immunoreactivity to tumors was also investigated. Immunomodulation in immunotherapy to tumors and of atopic diseases (together with standardization of allergens) were studied.

Keywords: lymphocyte, phagocyte, chronoimmunology, systematic immunity, local immunity, cellular activation, cellular markers, cellular receptors, immunotherapy, hyposenzibilization, allergens, immunological diseases, cytokines, inflammatory factors, immunity to tumors

Research goals: The proposed research was the extension of our work in the fields of basic and clinical immunology during the past several years. In accord with this, we proposed to continue investigating the mechanisms of immunological reactions (IR) by determining the function of cells and soluble factors. For this purpose we studed: a) The influence of circadian rhythms on the function of lymphocytes and phagocytes, as well as the influence of age on several factors in IR (Chronobiology). Understanding of these influences should allow better understanding of basic mechanisms of IR and an improvement of immunodiagnostic and immunotherapeutic procedures in immunological diseases. b) The relation between systemic (peripheral blood) and local (lung, peritoneum, spleen, eye) immunity to determine the differences in reactions to activation signals, as well as the expression of activation markers and immunophenotype of phagocytes from different tissues. These aspects of local immunity are known less then those of systemic immunity. c) The role of the low affinity receptor for IgE (Fc-gammaRII) and its soluble fragment (sCD23), in the regulation of normal IR and in allergic diseases or leukosis. d) Activation markers (surface, cytoplasmic and nuclear) in different intervals after specific (antigens) and non-specific (mitogens, cytokines, immunomodulators) stimulation in vitro and in vivo, and the presence of these markers during immunological diseases and tumors. With this, a follow up of the activation processes can be monitored. Also, the influence of immunomodulators and expression of activation markers in immunological and malignant diseases could be assessed. e) The mechanisms of synthesis and the effect of inflammation factors and cytokines in the maintenance of the homeostasis under physiological and non-physiological conditions (acute and chronic inflammation). Specific cytokine receptors in particular stages of cell differentiation, and mutual activity of different cytokines were explored. f) IR to tumors and immunotherapy of tumors in experimental models and tumors in human. In addition, ploidy in tumors of different origin, localization and stage was determined. The percentage of tumor cells in S phase of the cell cycle, as a measure of the proliferative ability (malignancy) of tumors, was assessed. g) The effect of specific hyposensitization on changes of IR in allergic diseases. For this purpose the production, characterization and standardization of allergens, used for immunodiagnostic procedures and immunotherapy were performed.

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS


  1. Name: Znanstvena nagrada "ANTE ŠERCER" Hrvatske akademije medicinskih znanosti za najbolji znanstveni rad iz područja medicine, objavljen u 1993. godini od autora iz Republike Hrvatske pod naslovom: "Multiple changes of immunol. parameters in prisoners of war"
    Type of achievement: Other
    Authors: Dragan Dekaris

  2. Name: The EAACI Abstract Award Allergy Research in Eastern and Central Europe 1993 for valuable original research in the allergy field
    Type of achievement: Other
    Authors: Alenka Gagro

  3. Name: F.A.R.E. Travel Award for ICACI-EAACI'94
    Type of achievement: Other
    Authors: Alenka Gagro

  4. Name: First Prize for Poster "IL-4 and anti-CD40 induced CD23 antigen on CD21- B-cells", Third Central European Summer School of Immunology, Košice, 1994
    Type of achievement: Other
    Authors: Alenka Gagro

  5. Name: Special Prize poster "Effects of L-(adamant-2--yl)glycyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine on the antitumor action of 5-fluorouracil on advanced carcinomas of the mouse", Third Central European Summer School of Immunology, Košice, 1994
    Type of achievement: Other
    Authors: Gorana Dašić

  6. Name: Nagrada "Dr. IBRAHIM RUŽDIĆ" Hrvatske akademije medicinskih znanosti za najbolji rad i znanstveni doprinos medicinske biokemije kliničkoj medicini, prikazan na I Hrvatskom kongresu medicinske biokemije, 1993.
    Type of achievement: Other
    Authors: Ante Sabioncello

  7. Name: Nagrada Hrvatske akademije znanosti i umjetnosti za doprinos od osobitog i trajnog značenja za Republiku Hrvatsku u području medicinskih znanosti, 1995.
    Type of achievement: Other
    Authors: Sabina Rabatić, Alenka Gagro
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