Haner Direskeneli
- Dr. Haner Direskeneli is the Chief of Department of Rheumatology, Marmara University, School of Medicine, in Istanbul, Turkey. After his clinical trainings in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology in Marmara University, he participated immunology studies in Lupus Research Center in St. Thomas’ Hospital and the Department of Dental Immunology, Guy’s Hospital in UMDS, London, UK.
- His research interest focused on vasculitides, mainly Behcet’s Disease (BD) and Takayasu’s Arteritis (TA). He studied on the immuno-pathogenesis of Behcet’s, investigating adaptive T and B-cell responses against various auto-antigens such as heat-shock proteins and retinal-S antigen, continuing later with innate-related urate crystal, testesterone and TLR responses. Immune mechanisms of action of interferon-alpha and thalidomide in BD were also part of these studies. His groups’ work showed the role of impaired oral health related to microbial pathology and the beneficial effects of anti-bacterial and periodental treatments in BD. Various oral and mucosal activity indices were developed for assessing disease activity in BD by his collaborators. His current work includes the analysis of whole-genome RNA transcripts by microarray, demonstrating a major role of JAK/STAT pathway in BD-related inflammation.
- His studies on Takayasu’s Arteritis (TA), with collaborators from 15 Rheumatology Centers in Turkey, brought together a series of over 350 patients. Various single-nucleotide polymorphisms such as PTPN22, PDCD1, cytokine polymorphisms (IL-2, IL-6) and HLA typing is performed in this group and whole genome genetic studies were started. Activity (DEI.Tak), damage (VDI) and patient-derived tools (SF-36) for disease assessment in TA is also investigated.
- Dr. Direskeneli has over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles. Among his major achievements, he is rewarded a Turkish Technical and Scientific Research Council (TUBITAK), Young Scientist Award in 1996.
