The main research topics of the Department of Immunology, Institute for Biological Research „Siniša Stanković" are organ-specific autoimmune and immunoinflammatory disorders and experimental immunooncology. Our research is predominantly conducted in animal models, but it also involves in vitro studies, as well as samples obtained from human subjects. The Department is consisted of the following groups:

Diabetes

(group leader Ivana Stojanović)

Basic experimental models of Type 1 diabetes that we use are diabetes induced in inbred strains of mice by multiple low doses of streptozotocin and spontaneous or accelerated diabetes in NOD mice. Our main research focus is the role of gut immune cells in the development of Type 1 diabetes and possibilities for disease prevention or therapy that imply the application of plant-derived extracts or pure intact or modified plant products.

Immunooncology

(group leaders Danijela Maksimović-Ivanić and Sanja Mijatović)

The main focus of the group is investigation of the communicational network inside tumor microenvironment (TME) with an accent on immune cell function, cancer cell differentiation status, and influence of dying cell subpopulations on the behaviour of all TME constituents. This platform serves as a base for the development of new therapeutic approaches based on drug repurposing, treatment of inflammation, and usage of naturally occurring and synthetic compounds as potent sources of differentiation-inducing agents. In the context of targeted therapy, various nano-technological pads are applied. Important segment of the research is related to establishment of protocols that will improve conventional treatments by incorporation of chemosensitizing compounds or enhancement of tumour cell sensitivity to cytotoxic activities of immune cells. Model systems include transformed malignant cell lines in vitro, and syngeneic solid and metastatic tumor models of melanoma, breast and colon.

Inflammation

(group leader Tamara Saksida)

The group is interested in investigation of inflammation in physiological conditions and its modulation in the disease setting. In order to determine the control mechanisms of inflammation and to modulate it via pharmacological agents, we use animal models of myocarditis and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Cellular therapy with mesenchimal stem cells isolated from the outer root of hair folicule is underway. Another focus of the group is the comparing the immune response in domestic animals to various pathogens, in order to facilitate the development of vaccines and immune intervention strategies for human diseases.

Neuroimmunology

(group leader Đorđe Miljković)

The group is focused on the discovery of novel elements of molecular and cellular mechanisms responsible for the initiation, the development and the limitation of the CNS-directed autoimmune response. The search for novel therapeutic options for multiple sclerosis is our primary activity. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in Dark Agouti (DA) rats induced with central nervous system antigens is used as an experimental model of multiple sclerosis. Rats of Albino Oxford (AO) strain, resistant to the induction of diabetes and EAE are also involved in the studies. We are investigating autoimmune response directed against the CNS in the peripheral immune organs, such as lymph nodes, and within the CNS. We are particularly interested in the role of gut immune cells in the regulation of the autoimmune response. Also, we are involved in the investigation of the influence of multiple sclerosis drugs on the immune system of the patients.

CURRENT RESEARCH TOPICS:

• Chemo- and immunosensitization strategies
• Effects of ethyl-pyruvate on inflammation
• Modulation of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases by plant extracts and their active compounds
• Mutual influence of autoimmunity and sepsis
• Nanotechnology application in designing of novel therapeutic approaches
• Phenomenon of compensatory proliferation in tumor progression and response to therapy using melanoma, breast and colon cancer models
• The influence of natural or synthetic anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial agents, newly designed or modified conventional chemotherapeutics on the malignant cell viability and phenotype in vitro/ TME in vivo
• The influence of ocrelizumab on immune cells of multiple sclerosis patients
• The role of gut immune cells in autoimmunity
• Tolerogenic dendritic cells and EAE