1. Targeting cystatin F activation enhances NK cell cytotoxicity in glioblastoma modelsEmanuela Senjor, Anamarija Habič, Urban Švajger, Ana Mitrović, Matic Proj, Andrej Porčnik, Borut Prestor, Miha Jerala, Matic Bošnjak, Stanislav Gobec, Barbara Breznik, Janko Kos, Milica Perišić, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Introduction: Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly invasive brain tumor with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. Natural killer (NK) cells are key effectors of antitumor immunity, capable of eliminating cancer stem-like cells. However, GBM creates an immunosuppressive microenvironment that limits NK cell function. Here, we identify cystatin F as an immunosuppressive factor involved in regulating NK cell granule-mediated cytotoxicity. Methods: We analyzed cystatin F expression in GBM and its correlation with immune exhaustion markers. NK cell activity was compared between GBM patients and healthy donors. In vitro co-cultures of cystatin F-expressing microglial cells and glioblastoma stem-like cells were used to assess NK cell function. To block cystatin F activation from dimeric to active monomeric form, a small-molecule inhibitor of cathepsin V, the activating protease, was applied. Results: Cystatin F expression correlated with immune exhaustion and suppression markers in GBM. NK cells from patients showed reduced cytotoxicity compared to healthy donors. Co-cultures confirmed that cystatin F-expressing microglia impaired NK cell cytotoxicity, while inhibition of cathepsin V restored NK cell function in standard cytotoxicity assays, 3D spheroids, and microfluidic perfused models. Discussion: These results indicate that cystatin F mediates NK cell suppression in GBM. Targeting its activation enhances NK cell cytotoxicity, offering a potential strategy to improve NK-based immunotherapy for glioblastoma. Ključne besede: glioblastoma, cystatin F, 3D models Objavljeno v DiRROS: 26.11.2025; Ogledov: 76; Prenosov: 58
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2. New inhibitors of cathepsin V impair tumor cell proliferation and elastin degradation and increase immune cell cytotoxicityAna Mitrović, Emanuela Senjor, Marko Jukič, Lara Bolčina, Mateja Prunk, Matic Proj, Milica Perišić, Stanislav Gobec, Janko Kos, 2022, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Cathepsin V is a human lysosomal cysteine peptidase with specific functions during pathological processes and is as such a promising therapeutic target. Peptidase inhibitors represent powerful pharmacological tools for regulating excessive proteolytic activity in various diseases. Cathepsin V is highly related to cathepsin L but differs in tissue distribution, binding site morphology, substrate specificity, and function. To validate its therapeutic potential and extend the number of potent and selective cathepsin V inhibitors, we used virtual high-throughput screening of commercially available compound libraries followed by an evaluation of kinetic properties to identify novel potent and selective cathepsin V inhibitors. We identified the ureido methylpiperidine carboxylate derivative, compound 7, as a reversible, selective, and potent inhibitor of cathepsin V. It also exhibited the most preferable characteristics for further evaluation with in vitro functional assays that simulate the processes in which cathepsin V is known to play an important role. Compound 7 exerted significant effects on cell proliferation, elastin degradation, and immune cell cytotoxicity. The latter was increased because compound 7 impaired conversion of immunosuppressive factor cystatin F to its active monomeric form. Taken together, our results present novel potent inhibitors of cathepsin V and provide new hit compounds for detailed development and optimization. Further, we demonstrate that cathepsin V is a potential target for new approaches to cancer therapy. Objavljeno v DiRROS: 04.09.2025; Ogledov: 248; Prenosov: 165
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3. Boj proti bakterijski odpornosti : ali so bakterijske topoizomeraze tipa II še zanimive tarče?Maša Zorman, Nikola Minovski, Marko Anderluh, Stanislav Gobec, Martina Hrast, 2025, pregledni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Topoizomeraze tipa II so pomembne tarče za proti - bakterijsko terapijo. Prvi zaviralci topoizomeraz tipa II, kinoloni in aminokumarini, so se na trgu pojavili že pred desetletji, vendar njihova uporabnost postopoma upada zaradi nizke učinkovitosti, neželenih učinkov in pojava bakterijske rezistence. Za premagovanje odpornosti in ohranjanje topoizomeraz kot zanimivih tarč, so ključne inovacije na tem področju – izboljšanje dosedanjih razredov učinkovin in odkrivanje novih tipov zaviralcev. V članku so predstavljeni različni razredi zaviralcev bakterijskih topoizomeraz, njihove prednosti in slabosti ter obeti za prihodnost. Ključne besede: aminokumarini, novi zaviralci bakterijskih topoizomeraz, kinoloni, protibakterijska terapija, zaviralci topoizomeraze tipa II Objavljeno v DiRROS: 08.07.2025; Ogledov: 314; Prenosov: 128
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4. Addition of 2-(ethylamino)acetonitrile group to nitroxoline results in significantly improved anti-tumor activity in vitro and in vivoAna Mitrović, Izidor Sosič, Špela Kos, Urša Lampreht Tratar, Barbara Breznik, Simona Kranjc Brezar, Bojana Mirković, Stanislav Gobec, Tamara Lah Turnšek, Maja Čemažar, Gregor Serša, Janko Kos, 2017, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Lysosomal cysteine peptidase cathepsin B, involved in multiple processes associated with tumor progression, is validated as a target for anti-cancer therapy. Nitroxoline, a known antimicrobial agent, is a potent and selective inhibitor of cathepsin B, hence reducing tumor progression in vitro and in vivo. In order to further improve its anti-cancer properties we developed a number of derivatives using structure-based chemical synthesis. Of these, the 7-aminomethylated derivative (compound 17) exhibited significantly improved kinetic properties over nitroxoline, inhibiting cathepsin B endopeptidase activity selectively. In the present study, we have evaluated its anti-cancer properties. It was more effective than nitroxoline in reducing tumor cell invasion and migration, as determined in vitro on two-dimensional cell models and tumor spheroids, under either endpoint or real time conditions. Moreover, it exhibited improved action over nitroxoline in impairing tumor growth in vivo in LPB mouse fibrosarcoma tumors in C57Bl/6 mice. Taken together, the addition of a 2-(ethylamino)acetonitrile group to nitroxoline at position 7 significantly improves its pharmacological characteristics and its potential for use as an anti-cancer drug. Ključne besede: nitroxoline derivative, cathepsin B, inhibition, tumor invasion, cell migration Objavljeno v DiRROS: 26.07.2024; Ogledov: 961; Prenosov: 691
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5. Upregulation of cathepsin X in glioblastoma : interplay with γ-enolase and the effects of selective cathepsin X inhibitorsBernarda Majc, Anamarija Habič, Metka Novak, Ana Rotter, Andrej Porčnik, Jernej Mlakar, Vera Župunski, Urša Pečar Fonović, Damijan Knez, Nace Zidar, Stanislav Gobec, Janko Kos, Tamara Lah Turnšek, Anja Pišlar, Barbara Breznik, 2022, izvirni znanstveni članek Ključne besede: glioblastoma, cathepsin X, γ-enolase, tumor microenvironment, glioblastoma stem cells, cathepsin X inhibitors Objavljeno v DiRROS: 16.07.2024; Ogledov: 1050; Prenosov: 635
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