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Renata, Mezyk-Kopec

Professor Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland

Renata Mezyk-Kopec received her PhD in biochemistry from Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland, in 2008. She worked on identifying proteases other than ADAM17 responsible for the shedding of TNF from the cell surface. As a postdoctoral fellow at Jagiellonian University, she focused on the role of ADAM17 in tumor progression.

Current Research

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Controlled inhibition of lymphatic vessel growth may be considered as a potential therapeutic strategy for the prevention or treatment of metastatic disease. Therefore, the identification of new lymphangiogenesis-related molecules and elucidation of their biological function is crucial for the development of new therapies. Although VEGF-C and VEGF-D play important roles in lymphangiogenesis, the involvement of matrix metalloproteases, especially MMP-2, is also of significance.

The results of Renata’s experiments suggest that another metalloprotease, namely ADAM17, may also promote lymphangiogenesis. ADAM17 belongs to sheddases, the enzymes responsible for proteolytic release of extracellular domains of transmembrane proteins, which thereby modulate cell-cell and cell-environment communication. ADAM17 plays an important role in many physiological as well as pathophysiological processes. This secretase, ubiquitously expressed in many tissues, seems to play an important role in tumor growth promotion.

The aim of Renata’s research is to explore the possible role of ADAM17 in regulation of lymphangiogenesis-related properties of lymphatic endothelial cells as well as to evaluate the impact of ADAM17 on tumor cell metastasis through lymphatic vessels. The project will verify the hypothesis that ADAM17 not only promotes the growth of tumors but may also promote tumor cell spreading through supporting tumor lymphangiogenesis.

Publications

TGF-β Signaling Prevents MHC Class II-Expressing Lymphatic Endothelial Cells from Reactivating Human Allogenic Memory CD4+ T Cells.

Mezyk-Kopec R, Potin L, Gomez Medellin JE, Salles CM, Swartz MA. J Immunol. 2023 Sep 1;211(5):782-790. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200216. PMID: 37486193.

ADAM17 Promotes Motility, Invasion, and Sprouting of Lymphatic Endothelial Cells.

Mężyk-Kopeć R, Wyroba B, Stalińska K, Próchnicki T, Wiatrowska K, Kilarski WW, Swartz MA, Bereta J.PLoS One. 2015 Jul 15;10(7):e0132661. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132661. eCollection 2015.PMID: 26176220

Inactivation of membrane tumor necrosis factor alpha by gingipains from Porphyromonas gingivalis.

Mezyk-Kopec R, Bzowska M, Potempa J, Bzowska M, Jura N, Sroka A, Black RA, Bereta J.Infect Immun. 2005 Mar;73(3):1506-14. doi: 10.1128/IAI.73.3.1506-1514.2005.PMID: 15731048 

Effects of elastase and cathepsin G on the levels of membrane and soluble TNFalpha.

Mezyk-Kopeć R, Bzowska M, Bzowska M, Mickowska B, Mak P, Potempa J, Bereta J.Biol Chem. 2005 Aug;386(8):801-11. doi: 10.1515/BC.2005.094.PMID: 16201876

Identification of ADAM10 as a major TNF sheddase in ADAM17-deficient fibroblasts.

Mezyk-Kopeć R, Bzowska M, Stalińska K, Chełmicki T, Podkalicki M, Jucha J, Kowalczyk K, Mak P, Bereta J.Cytokine. 2009 Jun;46(3):309-15. doi: 10.1016/j.cyto.2009.03.002. Epub 2009 Apr 5.PMID: 19346138

Exogenous nitric oxide inhibits shedding of ADAM17 substrates.

Bzowska M, Stalińska K, Mezyk-Kopeć R, Wawro K, Duda K, Das S, Bereta J.Acta Biochim Pol. 2009;56(2):325-35. Epub 2009 Jun 18.PMID: 19543557

ADAM17 silencing in mouse colon carcinoma cells: the effect on tumoricidal cytokines and angiogenesis.

Das S, Czarnek M, Bzowska M, Mężyk-Kopeć R, Stalińska K, Wyroba B, Sroka J, Jucha J, Deneka D, Stokłosa P, Ogonek J, Swartz MA, Madeja Z, Bereta J.PLoS One. 2012;7(12):e50791. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0050791. Epub 2012 Dec 10.PMID: 23251384

Antibody-based antiangiogenic and antilymphangiogenic therapies to prevent tumor growth and progression.

Bzowska M, Mężyk-Kopeć R, Próchnicki T, Kulesza M, Klaus T, Bereta J.Acta Biochim Pol. 2013;60(3):263-75. Epub 2013 Jul 1.PMID: 23819129

Optimization and regeneration kinetics of lymphatic-specific photodynamic therapy in the mouse dermis.

Kilarski WW, Muchowicz A, Wachowska M, Mężyk-Kopeć R, Golab J, Swartz MA, Nowak-Sliwinska P.Angiogenesis. 2014 Apr;17(2):347-57. doi: 10.1007/s10456-013-9365-6. Epub 2013 Jul 28.PMID: 23892627

Analysis of toxicity and anticancer activity of micelles of sodium alginate-curcumin.

Karabasz A, Lachowicz D, Karewicz A, Mezyk-Kopec R, Stalińska K, Werner E, Cierniak A, Dyduch G, Bereta J, Bzowska M.Int J Nanomedicine. 2019 Sep 6;14:7249-7262. doi: 10.2147/IJN.S213942. eCollection 2019.PMID: 31564877

In vivo Studies on Pharmacokinetics, Toxicity and Immunogenicity of Polyelectrolyte Nanocapsules Functionalized with Two Different Polymers: Poly-L-Glutamic Acid or PEG.

Karabasz A, Szczepanowicz K, Cierniak A, Mezyk-Kopec R, Dyduch G, Szczęch M, Bereta J, Bzowska M.Int J Nanomedicine. 2019 Dec 5;14:9587-9602. doi: 10.2147/IJN.S230865. eCollection 2019.PMID: 31824153

Bacteriocin BacSp222 and Its Succinylated Forms Exhibit Proinflammatory Activities Toward Innate Immune Cells .

Śmiałek J, Bzowska M, Hinz A, Mężyk-Kopeć R, Sołtys K, Mak P.J Inflamm Res. 2022 Aug 12;15:4601-4621. doi: 10.2147/JIR.S362066. eCollection 2022.PMID: 35982757 

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