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Assistant Professor LAURA MARUSCIAC, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor LAURA MARUSCIAC, MD, PhD

Postdoctoral researcher

Research

Allergen-specific immunotherapy

In Eastern Europe, including Romania, ragweed is one of the most important allergen sources, with a strong impact on human health. Ragweed allergy is frequently underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed, and is often treated only by pharmacotherapy (e.g., antihistamines, corticosteroids), which only reduces allergic symptoms and fails to target the mechanisms underlying allergic disease. Allergen-specific immunotherapy is the only etiologic treatment of allergic disorders that can alter the natural course of the disease, by interfering with basic immunological mechanisms and inducing tolerance, resulting in persistent reduction or even disappearance of the allergic symptoms. We aim to characterize the clinically relevant allergens from ragweed, develop diagnostic tests based on recombinant allergens and design tests for measurement of allergens in the environment and in allergenic extracts used for diagnosis and therapy. For longer term, we aim to identify the allergens needed for immunotherapy and develop prototype molecules for vaccination.

 

Relevant publications

  1. Panaitescu Bunu C, Marusciac L, Tamaș TP, Perez I, Pineda F. Patterns of sensitization to ragweed species in Western Romania. Journal of the Romanian Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology 2016, XIII, 2, 26-32
  2. Panaitescu C, Marusciac L, Tamas T, Perez I, Pineda de la Losa F. Biological standardisation of allergenic ragweed pollen extract. European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology Congress 2015, 6 – 10 June 2015, Barcelona, Spain
  3. Tatu RF, Anusca DN, Groza SS, Marusciac L, Bojin FM, Tatu C, Hurmuz M, Paunescu V. Morphological and functional characterization of femoral head drilling-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Romanian Journal of Morphology and Embryology 2014, 55, 4, 1415-1422, ISSN 1220-0522
  4. Panaitescu C, Marusciac L, Cernescu L. Influence of Interleukin-4 and Interleukin-13 on serum immunoglobulin E in house dust mite allergy. Clinical and Translational Allergy 2014, 4(Suppl 2):P22
  5. Panaitescu C, Ianovici N, Marusciac L, Cernescu L, Matis B, Muresan R, Balaceanu A. Impact of sensitization to Ambrosia pollen and to other inhaled allergens in the population of the Timisoara area. Journal of the Romanian Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology 2013, 38, 2
  6. Panaitescu C, Marusciac L, Bojin FM, Paunescu V. In vitro and in vivo functional assays for human mesenchymal stem cell adherence, invasivity and migration towards inflammatory lesions after transfection with CD29 specific siRNA. Allergy 2013;68 (Suppl 97), pg. 353
  7. Bojin F, Ordodi V, Gavriliuc O, Cristea M, Anghel S, Gruia A, Mic FA, Cean A, Lazarovicz R, Toma M, Marusciac L, Tanasie G, Tatu C, Panaitescu C, Paunescu V. In vitro models of adipogenesis for understanding molecular mechanisms underlying occurrence of obesity. Conference and Advanced Translational Research Workshop: Chronic Diseases – From Pathogenesis to Therapy, 25-27 October 2012, Timisoara. Abstract book pg. 37, ISBN 978-606-8054-93-3
  8. Marusciac L, Panaitescu C, Tatu C, Tanasie G, Bojin F, Paunescu V. Adhesion of human mesenchymal stem cells to inflammatory mediators after specific inhibition of CD29. The 24nd Annual Immunology Conference, 27-29 September 2012, Bucharest. Abstract Book pg. 21, ISBN 978-606-8003-24-5
  9. Bojin F, Ordodi V, Anghel S, Cristea M, Gavriliuc O, Marusciac L, Toma M, Lazarovicz R, Panaitescu C, Paunescu V, Na+/K+ – ATP-ase blockers inhibit functionality of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Conference and Advanced Research Workshop – Sudden Cardiac Death & Cardioprotection, 6-9 September 2012, Timisoara. Abstract Book pg. 97-98, ISBN 978-606-8054-80-3; 978-963-306-162-6
  10. Panaitescu C, Cernescu L, Matis B, Marusciac L, Tanasie G, Paunescu V, GATA-3 gene expression on CD4+ T lymphocytes from allergic patients. Allergy, 2012, 67, SI, 96: 396-397
  11. Bunu Panaitescu C, Cernescu L, Marusciac L. Interleukin-4 and interferon-gamma related expression of GATA-3 on T cells of allergic patients. The 11th National Congress of the Romanian Society of Physiological Sciences, Timișoara, 10-12 May 2012. Physiology, Suppl. 2012, pg. 22.
  12. Marusciac L, Panaitescu C, Paunescu V. Interactions between Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Cellular Effectors of Immune System. Fiziologia. Physiology 2012, 22, 1 (73), 4-10, ISSN 1223-2076
  13. Marusciac L, Panaitescu C, Paunescu V. Comparative Analysis of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Immortalized Mesenchymal Cell Line, Fiziologia. Physiology 2012, 21, 4 (72), 10-14, ISSN 1223-2076
  14. Marusciac L, Bunu C, Tatu C, Tanasie G, Paunescu V. Interleukin-24. Fiziologia. Physiology 2010, 20, 1 (65), 9-12, ISSN 1223-2076
  15. Matiş B, Bunu C, Tanasie G, Tatu C, Bojin F, Cernescu L, Tatu C, Marusciac L, Păunescu V. Establishment, Propagation and Maintenance of Primary Pulmonary Fibroblasts. Fiziologia. Physiology 2009, 62, 17-21, ISSN 1223-2076

 

Affiliations

UMF “Victor Babes” Timisoara, Department of Functional Sciences

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