The aim of this contracted industrial study (2008/2010-2011) was to develop in vitro tests (on selected cell lines) of biological activity of erythropoietin and its mutant variants with specific emphasis on protective effects: neuroprotection, cardioprotection, and wound healing, vs. hematopoesis.
Industrial contracts:
- BIO-09-MCMB/2011 (LEK/NIC/MF), Phase III: Biological activity assessment of biopharmaceuticals (Erythropoietin bio-similars) [coordination and supervision: R. Komel (MF & NIC), N. Debeljak (MF), and B. Podobnik (LEK-Sandoz)].
- BIO 08/2011 (LEK/MF): Biological activity assessment of biopharmaceuticals [coordination and supervision: R. Komel (MF)].
- BIO 05/2010 (LEK/MF): Biological activity assessment of biopharmaceuticals [coordination and supervision: N. Debeljak (MF), R. Komel (MF), and B. Podobnik (LEK-Sandoz)].
- TSCT-1/08 & 2010/22 (LEK/NIC/MF) Study and enhancement of selective active trancellular transport of proteins through biological membranes of intestinal system [coordination and supervision: Komel (NIC & MF), and Igor Legan / Mateja Cegnar (LEK-Sandoz); PIs: Simon Caserman (NIC); Mirjana Liović (MF)].
Supportive research projects:
- Interinstitutional national research program P1-0104 Functional Genomics and Biotechnology for Health (R. Komel, MF & NIC); 2004-2008 and 2009-2014.
- J3―0124 Influence of recombinant human erythropoietin on gene expression and signal transduction in breast cancer; national basic research project (N. Debeljak), 1.2.2008―30.1.2011.
Industrial partner:
- Lek, Pharmaceutical Company d.d., a Sandoz group member; Biopharmacy, Ljubljana – Mengeš, Slovenia.
Institute partner:
- National institute of Chemistry, L11: Laboratory for Biosynthesis and Biotransformation (Prof. R. Komel, PhD).
International collaboration:
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy (Prof. Mauro Giacca, PhD).
Researchers involved:
| Researcher | Position |
| Radovan Komel | Program / project leader |
| Nataša Debeljak | Senior researcher, P.I. |
| Tadeja Režen | Senior researcher |
| Klementina Fon Tacer | Senior researcher |
| Mirjana Liović | Senior adviser |
| Sabina Berne | PostDoc |
| Neža Juvan | MSc student |
| Nina Trošt | PhD student |
| Nuša Trošt | Experimental assistance |
| Klemen Španinger | Protocol adviser |
Education:
| Student | Thesis | Title | Year | Supervisors |
| Nina Trošt | PhD | The effect of recombinant human erythropoietin on the growth and survivale of breast cancer cells and their responsivenes to cisplatin and tamoxifen. | 2013 | Nataša Debeljak |
| Neža Juvan | MSc | Developing methods for in vitro studies of tissue protective effects of erythropoietin in a cell model. | 2012 | Radovan Komel
Tadeja Režen |
| Saša Nastran | Dipl | Establishment of cell models to study hematopoietic and side effects of erythropoietin in vitro. | 2011 | Radovan Komel
K. Fon Tacer |
| Tina Zupančič | Dipl. | Development and evaluation of the in vitro intestinal epithelium model for protein permeability assessment. | 2010 | Radovan Komel
Simon Caserman Igor Križaj |
Selected publications:
- Debeljak N. et al. (2014): Erythropoietin and Cancer: The Unintended Consequences of Anemia Correction. Immunol. 5: 563, eCollection 2014.
- Trošt N. et al. (2013): Recombinant human erythropoietin effects proliferation and expression profile of MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. Oncol. 47(4): 382–389.
- Trošt N. et al. (2012): Contrasting effect of recombinant human erythropoietin on breast cancer cell response to cisplatin induced cytotoxicity. Radiology & Oncology 46(3): 213-25.