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Yuti Chernajovsky received his PhD in molecular biology, at The Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel in 1983. His research activities have included the cloning of several interferons, interleukins and their receptors. He has also contributed to the cloning and development of interferon beta as a therapeutic agent and the use of suicidal genes for cancer gene therapy. He became Centre Lead for Bone and Joint Research Unit at the William Harvey in 1999.
Current research interests
These include the development of gene transfer strategies for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases via cellular engineering, molecular design and genetic engineering. Regeneration of damaged tissues in autoimmune conditions is actively pursued by engineering stem cells for targeting and survival in inflammatory conditions and development of tissue protective and trophic factors. A recent development has been the design of latent cytokines by recombinant DNA technology. The designed fusion protein between the latency associated peptide (LAP) of TGF and a cytokine with therapeutic potential are linked via a metalloproteinase (MMP) cleavage site rendering the cytokine inactive until it reaches a site of inflammation where the high levels of MMP releases and enables its biological activity. The LAP provides for a shell that inhibits the interaction of the cytokine with its receptors increasing its half- life and ensures delivery to sites of disease. The concept led to the establishment of Stealthyx Therapeutics Ltd. a spin out company with patents granted worldwide. He is an Assistant Editor of Rheumatology and member of the Editorial Board of Gene Therapy and Arthritis Research and Therapy.
Key publications
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Vilalta, M, Jorgensen, Degano IR, Chernajovsky Y, Gould D, Noel D, Andrades JA, Becerra J, Rubio N, Blanco J. Dual luciferase labelling for non-invasive bioluminescence imaging of mesenchymal stromal cell chondrogenic differentiation in demineralized bone matrix scaffolds. Biomaterials 30 (2009) 4986–4995.
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Lopez, MV, Viale, DL, Cafferata, EAG, Bravo, AI, Carbone, C, Gould, DJ, Chernajovsky, Y and Podhajcer, OL Tumor associated stromal cells play a critical role on the outcome of the oncolytic efficacy of conditional replicative adenoviruses. PLoS ONE 4(4) e5119; 2009.
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Vilalta, M, Dégano, IR, Bagó, J, Gould, DJ, Santos, M, García, M, Ayats, Fuster, RC, Chernajovsky, Y, García, D, Rubio, N and Blanco, J. Biodistribution, long term survival and safety of human adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells in nude mice by non-invasive bioluminescence imaging. Stem Cells Dev. 2008 17(5):993-1003.
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Wissell, K., Stöver, T., Hofmann, NS, Chernajovsky, Y., Daly, G., Sasse, S., Warnecke, A., Lenarz, T., Gross, G. and Hoffmann, A Fibroblast-mediated delivery of GDNF induces neuronal-like outgrowth in PC12 cells. Otol Neurotol. 2008 29(4):475-481.
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Nedjai, B., Hitman, G.A., Yousaf, N., Chernajovsky, Y., Stjernberg, S., Pettersson, T., Ranki, A., Hawkins, P.N., Arkwright, P.D., McDermott, M.F. and Turner, M.D. Abnormal TNFR1 cell surface expression and (NF-Beta) activation in TNFR1-associated periodic fever syndrome (TRAPS) Arthritis Rheum. 2008, 58: 273-283.
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Khoury M, Adriaansen J, Louis-Plence P, Noel D, Vervoordeldonk MJBM, Gould DJ, Chernajovsky Y, Bigey P , Bloquel C, Scherman D , Tak PP, Jorgensen C, Apparailly F. Disease-inducible anti-tumor necrosis factor agents reduce arthritis using intra-articular adeno-associated virus 5. J. Gene Med. 2007, 9(7): 596-604.
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Adriaansen J, Khoury M, de Cortie CJ, Fallaux FJ, Bigey P, Scherman D, Gould DJ, Chernajovsky Y, Apparailly F, Jorgensen C, Vervoordeldonk, MJBM and Tak PP Reduction of arthritis following intra-articular administration of an adeno-associated virus serotype 5 expressing a disease-inducible TNF-blocking agent. Ann. Rheum. Dis. 66(9):1143-1150, 2007.
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Gould DJ, Yousaf N, Fatah R, Subang MC and Chernajovsky Y. Gene therapy with an improved doxycycline regulated plasmid encoding a TNF (alpha) inhibitor in experimental arthritis. Arthritis Res Ther. 2007 Jan 25;9(1):R7
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