Ana Brankovic

Dr. Ana Brankovic

University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies
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orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

14Years (2013-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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1 May 2019 in Cancer Letters
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Journal Article
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OMOlja Mijanović
Olja Mijanović
Ana BrankovicAna Brankovic
Ana Brankovic
APAlexander N. Panin
Alexander N. Panin
SSSolomiia Savchuk
Solomiia Savchuk
PTPeter Timashev
Peter Timashev
MLMaciej Lesniak
Maciej Lesniak

5 June 2021 in Pharmaceutics
Verified
Journal Article
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OMOlja Mijanovic
Olja Mijanovic
APAnastasiia Petushkova
Anastasiia Petushkova
Ana BrankovicAna Brankovic
Ana Brankovic
BTBoris Turk
Boris Turk
ASAnna B Solovieva
Anna B Solovieva
Andrey A. Zamyatnin Jr.Andrey A. Zamyatnin Jr.
Andrey A. Zamyatnin Jr.
Lysosomal proteases play a crucial role in maintaining cell homeostasis. Human cathepsin D manages protein turnover degrading misfolded and aggregated proteins and favors apoptosis in the case of proteostasis disruption. However, when cathepsin D regulation is affected, it can contribute to numerous disorders. The down-regulation of human cathepsin D is associated with neurodegenerative disorders, such as neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. On the other hand, its excessive levels outside lysosomes and the cell membrane lead to tumor growth, migration, invasion and angiogenesis. Therefore, targeting cathepsin D could provide significant diagnostic benefits and new avenues of therapy. Herein, we provide a brief overview of cathepsin D structure, regulation, function, and its role in the progression of many diseases and the therapeutic potentialities of natural and synthetic inhibitors and activators of this protease.

Verified
Journal Article
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OMOlja Mijanovic
Olja Mijanovic
AJAleksandra Jakovleva
Aleksandra Jakovleva
Ana BrankovicAna Brankovic
Ana Brankovic
KZKristina Zdravkova
Kristina Zdravkova
MPMilena Pualic
Milena Pualic
Andrey A. Zamyatnin Jr.Andrey A. Zamyatnin Jr.
Andrey A. Zamyatnin Jr.
Cathepsin K (CatK) is a part of the family of cysteine proteases involved in many important processes, including the degradation activity of collagen 1 and elastin in bone resorption. Changes in levels of CatK are associated with various pathological conditions, primarily related to bone and cartilage degradation, such as pycnodysostosis (associated with CatK deficiency), osteoporosis, and osteoarthritis (associated with CatK overexpression). Recently, the increased secretion of CatK is being highly correlated to vascular inflammation, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, Wegener granulomatosis, berylliosis, tuberculosis, as well as with tumor progression. Due to the wide spectrum of diseases in which CatK is involved, the design and validation of active site-specific inhibitors has been a subject of keen interest in pharmaceutical companies in recent decades. In this review, we summarized the molecular background of CatK and its involvement in various diseases, as well as its clinical significance for diagnosis and therapy.

18 April 2020 in Viruses
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OMOlja Mijanovic
Olja Mijanovic
Ana BrankovicAna Brankovic
Ana Brankovic
ABAnton V. Borovjagin
Anton V. Borovjagin
DBDenis V. Butnaru
Denis V. Butnaru
EBEvgeny A. Bezrukov
Evgeny A. Bezrukov
IUIlya Ulasov
Ilya Ulasov
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are most commonly found in adults and remain essentially incurable. Gene therapy using AAV vectors is a rapidly-growing field of experimental medicine that holds promise for the treatment of NDDs. To date, effective delivery of a therapeutic gene into target cells via AAV has been a major obstacle in the field. Ideally, transgenes should be delivered into the target cells specifically and efficiently, while promiscuous or off-target gene delivery should be minimized to avoid toxicity. In the pursuit of an ideal vehicle for NDD gene therapy, a broad variety of vector systems have been explored. Here we specifically outline the advantages of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based vector systems for NDD therapy application. In contrast to many reviews on NDDs that can be found in the literature, this review is rather focused on AAV vector selection and their testing in experimental and preclinical NDD models. Preclinical and in vitro data reveal the strong potential of AAV for NDD-related diagnostics and therapeutic strategies.

2 September 2013 in International Journal of Experimental Pathology
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Journal Article
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Ana BrankovicAna Brankovic
Ana Brankovic
GBGoran Brajušković
Goran Brajušković
ZNZorana Nikolic
Zorana Nikolic
VVVinka Vukotić
Vinka Vukotić
SCSnezana Cerovic
Snezana Cerovic
SRStanka Romac
Stanka Romac

30 October 2021 in Micromachines
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Journal Article
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OMOlja Mijanovic
Olja Mijanovic
TPTimofey Pylaev
Timofey Pylaev
ANAngelina Nikitkina
Angelina Nikitkina
MAMargarita Artiukhova
Margarita Artiukhova
Ana BrankovicAna Brankovic
Ana Brankovic
PTPeter S. Timashev
Peter S. Timashev
Nowadays, tissue engineering is one of the most promising approaches for the regeneration of various tissues and organs, including the cornea. However, the inability of biomaterial scaffolds to successfully integrate into the environment of surrounding tissues is one of the main challenges that sufficiently limits the restoration of damaged corneal tissues. Thus, the modulation of molecular and cellular mechanisms is important and necessary for successful graft integration and long-term survival. The dynamics of molecular interactions affecting the site of injury will determine the corneal transplantation efficacy and the post-surgery clinical outcome. The interactions between biomaterial surfaces, cells and their microenvironment can regulate cell behavior and alter their physiology and signaling pathways. Nanotechnology is an advantageous tool for the current understanding, coordination, and directed regulation of molecular cell–transplant interactions on behalf of the healing of corneal wounds. Therefore, the use of various nanotechnological strategies will provide new solutions to the problem of corneal allograft rejection, by modulating and regulating host–graft interaction dynamics towards proper integration and long-term functionality of the transplant.