Lidia Rudnicka
Encyclopedia
Professor Lidia Rudnicka, MD, PhD (born February 19, 1960 in Chicago, Illinois) is a Polish-American researcher and dermatologist with significant contributions to the field of scleroderma
research, knowledge about hair diseases and work on challenges of melanoma
prevention.
Lidia Rudnicka is currently chairman of Department of Dermatology CSK MSWiA (Central Clinical Hospital of Ministry of Internal Affaires) in Warsaw, Poland. From 1990 to 1993, she worked in American and European institutions: Food and Drug Administration
(USA), University of Liège
(Belgium) and Thomas Jefferson University
in Philadelphia (USA). In the years 2002-2004 Lidia Rudnicka was an advisor to Prime Minister of Poland.
Professor Rudnicka has authored or co-authored over 200 articles and book chapters, mainly concerning autoimmune skin diseases, biological therapies, videodermoscopy, trichoscopy, epidemiology of skin diseases and managing medical institutions
.
) and showed that activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells of scleroderma patients exhibit increased adhesion to vascular endothelial cells, which is an early event, preceding formation of perivascular lymphocytic infiltrates and development of skin fibrosis.
She is the author of the hypothesis linking etiology of systemic sclerosis to a mutation in the topoisomerase I gene and abnormal topoisomerase I expression. Furthermore, professor Rudnicka believes that presence of anti-topoisomerse I antibodies in sera of patients with scleroderma represents a protective reaction to these abnormalities.
This hypothesis was partly confirmed by Lidia Rudnicka's and her students' studies. The study on which Urszula Nowicka's doctoral thesis was based showed a mutation in the 3’ coding region of the topoisomerase gene in 56% of patients with anti-topo I – positive (Scl70-positive) systemic sclerosis. It was also indicated that specific antibodies penetrate into the nuclei of fibrobasts and inhibit the activity of topoisomerase I. Moreover, the studies evidenced that topoisomerase I inhibitor, campothecin, down-regulates the expression of type I collagen in fibroblasts of scleroderma patients and yields immunosuppressive effects. Certain cytokines were showed to increase the activity of topoisomerase I in dermal.
The hypothesis by professor Rudnicka was discussed during medical conferences, but was never confirmed by other researchers. However, the findings related to the role of campothecin and its potential therapeutical use were reaffirmed in the study by Zhang et al. conducted in patients with keloid.
Another observation by Lidia Rudnicka and her co-workers, which may be potentially beneficial as far as managing systemic sclerosis is concerned, was abnormally high expression of prolactine in peripheral mononuclear cells obtained from patients
. She made a significant contribution to development of hair and scalp dermoscopy. Most known are her and her co-workers’ studies on genetic hair disorders, which showed that it is possible to diagnose genetic hair shaft abnormalities in children without the need of pulling hairs for microscopic evaluation. In 2005, Lidia Rudnicka and Malgorzata Olszewska used videodermatoscopy in assessing disease severity and monitoring impact of dutasteride therapy on hair thickness and hair shaft heterogeneity in androgenic in androgenic alopecia, indicating this method can be used as a research tool to evaluate the effects of therapeutic or cosmetic agents The next year, together with Malgorzata Olszewska and their co-workers she introduced the term trichoscopy
for hair, scalp, eyebrows and eyelashes dermoscopy (videodermoscopy). Their subsequent studies showed this technique can easily replace traditional microscopic evaluation in genetic hair shaft abnormalities such as Netherton syndrome, monilethrix, wooly hair syndrome, pili torti, pili annulati and trichothiodystrophy. It has also been proved trichoscopy can be useful in diagnosing acquired hair diseases including androgenic alopecia, alopecia areata, cicatrical alopecia and tinea.
Professor Rudnicka and her co-workers were the first to apply in vivo confocal laser scanning microscopy
in hair diagnostics. Their studies showed potential usefulness of this method in evaluation of hair shaft diseases.
and psoriasis
.
in term 2008-2012.
Professor Rudnicka was speaker (and on many occasions a co-organizer) at multiple dermatology meetings, including: American Academy of Dermatology, European Academy of Dermatology and Venerology (topics included: hair diseases, dermosopy and skin cancer detection, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, biological therapy in skin diseases, connective tissue diseases, acne, clinical trials).
Lidia Rudnicka is managing editor of "Journal of Case Reports in Dermatology", chairman of scientific board of "Dermatologica", member of scientific and editorial boards of Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, Przeglad Dermatologiczny, Expert Review in Dermatology and Dermatologia Estetyczna. She also reviewed papers for significant periodicals in the field of dermatology and venerology, with Archives of Dermatology, Journal of European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, Expert Review in Dermatology among them.
Scleroderma
Systemic sclerosis or systemic scleroderma is a systemic autoimmune disease or systemic connective tissue disease that is a subtype of scleroderma.-Skin symptoms:...
research, knowledge about hair diseases and work on challenges of melanoma
Melanoma
Melanoma is a malignant tumor of melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells that produce the dark pigment, melanin, which is responsible for the color of skin. They predominantly occur in skin, but are also found in other parts of the body, including the bowel and the eye...
prevention.
Lidia Rudnicka is currently chairman of Department of Dermatology CSK MSWiA (Central Clinical Hospital of Ministry of Internal Affaires) in Warsaw, Poland. From 1990 to 1993, she worked in American and European institutions: Food and Drug Administration
Food and Drug Administration
The Food and Drug Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, one of the United States federal executive departments...
(USA), University of Liège
University of Liège
The University of Liège , in Liège, Wallonia, Belgium, is a major public university in the French Community of Belgium. Its official language is French.-History:...
(Belgium) and Thomas Jefferson University
Thomas Jefferson University
Thomas Jefferson University is a private health sciences university in Center City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the United States. The university consists of six constituent colleges and schools, Jefferson Medical College, Jefferson College of Graduate Studies, Jefferson School of Health...
in Philadelphia (USA). In the years 2002-2004 Lidia Rudnicka was an advisor to Prime Minister of Poland.
Professor Rudnicka has authored or co-authored over 200 articles and book chapters, mainly concerning autoimmune skin diseases, biological therapies, videodermoscopy, trichoscopy, epidemiology of skin diseases and managing medical institutions
Academic career
Lidia Rudnicka graduated from Warsaw Medical School (having previously studied in Bonn and Cologne) in 1986. She went on to receive PhD in medical sciences in 1990 and habilitation degree in 1994. In 2001 Lidia Rudnicka became Full Professor in medical sciences. From 1987 to 1998 she worked as an Assistant Lecturer and Assistant Professor in Department of Dermatology, Warsaw Medical School. Since 2008 Lidia Rudnicka has been professor at the Faculty of Health Sciences in Medical University of WarsawMedical University of Warsaw
The Medical University of Warsaw was founded in January 1950, building on the University of Warsaw's former Faculty of Medicine, which had been established in the early nineteenth century...
.
Professional career
Lidia Rudnicka started her professional career in 1986 in Department of Immunopathology of National Institute of Hygene. In 1987 she became Assistant Lecturer in Department of Dermatology, Warsaw Medical University. The clinic was headed at that time by most prominent Polish dermatologist of the 20th century, professor Stefania Jablonska. The fruitful scientific cooperation with Stefania Jablonska lasted 11 years, until 1998, when Lidia Rudnicka accepted chairmanship of Department of Dermatology, CSK MSWiA. From 1990 to 1993 she worked in American and European institutions: Food an Drug Administration (National Institute of Health; 1990), University of Liège (research laboratory of Department of Dermatology; 1991) and Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia (Department of Dermatology; 1991–1993). Since 2007 professor Rudnicka has been a member of National Examinary Commission for dermatology and venerology exams. Lidia Rudnicka, beside her activity in Dermatology Department of CSK MSWiA, participates in works of Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Polish Academy of Sciences.Scleroderma research
Lidia Rudnicka's early work was related to the role of Natural Killer Cells and adhesion molecules in systemic sclerosis (sclerodermaScleroderma
Systemic sclerosis or systemic scleroderma is a systemic autoimmune disease or systemic connective tissue disease that is a subtype of scleroderma.-Skin symptoms:...
) and showed that activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells of scleroderma patients exhibit increased adhesion to vascular endothelial cells, which is an early event, preceding formation of perivascular lymphocytic infiltrates and development of skin fibrosis.
She is the author of the hypothesis linking etiology of systemic sclerosis to a mutation in the topoisomerase I gene and abnormal topoisomerase I expression. Furthermore, professor Rudnicka believes that presence of anti-topoisomerse I antibodies in sera of patients with scleroderma represents a protective reaction to these abnormalities.
This hypothesis was partly confirmed by Lidia Rudnicka's and her students' studies. The study on which Urszula Nowicka's doctoral thesis was based showed a mutation in the 3’ coding region of the topoisomerase gene in 56% of patients with anti-topo I – positive (Scl70-positive) systemic sclerosis. It was also indicated that specific antibodies penetrate into the nuclei of fibrobasts and inhibit the activity of topoisomerase I. Moreover, the studies evidenced that topoisomerase I inhibitor, campothecin, down-regulates the expression of type I collagen in fibroblasts of scleroderma patients and yields immunosuppressive effects. Certain cytokines were showed to increase the activity of topoisomerase I in dermal.
The hypothesis by professor Rudnicka was discussed during medical conferences, but was never confirmed by other researchers. However, the findings related to the role of campothecin and its potential therapeutical use were reaffirmed in the study by Zhang et al. conducted in patients with keloid.
Another observation by Lidia Rudnicka and her co-workers, which may be potentially beneficial as far as managing systemic sclerosis is concerned, was abnormally high expression of prolactine in peripheral mononuclear cells obtained from patients
Trichology
A second field of research of professor Lidia Rudnicka is trichologyTrichology
Trichology is the branch of medicine that deals with the scientific study of the health of hair and scalp. Trichologists themselves are not normally licensed healthcare workers, although members of the medical profession can undertake courses and/or careers within trichology. Trichology can be...
. She made a significant contribution to development of hair and scalp dermoscopy. Most known are her and her co-workers’ studies on genetic hair disorders, which showed that it is possible to diagnose genetic hair shaft abnormalities in children without the need of pulling hairs for microscopic evaluation. In 2005, Lidia Rudnicka and Malgorzata Olszewska used videodermatoscopy in assessing disease severity and monitoring impact of dutasteride therapy on hair thickness and hair shaft heterogeneity in androgenic in androgenic alopecia, indicating this method can be used as a research tool to evaluate the effects of therapeutic or cosmetic agents The next year, together with Malgorzata Olszewska and their co-workers she introduced the term trichoscopy
Trichoscopy
Trichoscopy is a method of hair and scalp evaluation and is used for diagnosing hair and scalp diseases. The method is based on dermoscopy and videodermoscopy. In trichoscopy hair and scalp structures may be visualized at many-fold magnification...
for hair, scalp, eyebrows and eyelashes dermoscopy (videodermoscopy). Their subsequent studies showed this technique can easily replace traditional microscopic evaluation in genetic hair shaft abnormalities such as Netherton syndrome, monilethrix, wooly hair syndrome, pili torti, pili annulati and trichothiodystrophy. It has also been proved trichoscopy can be useful in diagnosing acquired hair diseases including androgenic alopecia, alopecia areata, cicatrical alopecia and tinea.
Professor Rudnicka and her co-workers were the first to apply in vivo confocal laser scanning microscopy
Confocal laser scanning microscopy
Confocal laser scanning microscopy is a technique for obtaining high-resolution optical images with depth selectivity. The key feature of confocal microscopy is its ability to acquire in-focus images from selected depths, a process known as optical sectioning...
in hair diagnostics. Their studies showed potential usefulness of this method in evaluation of hair shaft diseases.
Melanoma prevention
Professor Lidia Rudnicka is the organizer of a Polish nation-wide campaign to promote prevention and early detection of melanoma (with dermoscopy and videodermoscopy). The campaign "Stop-Melanoma", based on highly successful Australian experience, is an ongoing program which started in 2004.Antibiotic therapy of inflammatory skin diseases
Clinical observations made by professor Rudnicka and her co-workers indicate the rationality of long-term low-dose antibiotic therapy in chronic inflammatory skin diseases: SLESLE
-Medicine:* Systemic lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune disease affecting multiple systems in the body* Slit lamp examination, as used to examine the eye during an eye examination* St...
and psoriasis
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that appears on the skin. It occurs when the immune system mistakes the skin cells as a pathogen, and sends out faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of skin cells. Psoriasis is not contagious. However, psoriasis has been linked to an increased risk of...
.
Affiliations and activity in scientific societies
Lidia Rudnicka is a member and in years 2004–2008 was secretary of the board of Polish Dermatological Society. Since 2004 she has been a member of board of International Dermoscopy Society. Professor Rudnicka is also a member of International Committee of American Academy of DermatologyAmerican Academy of Dermatology
The American Academy of Dermatology is the largest organization of dermatologists in the world. It was founded in 1938 and represents 17,000 dermatologists in the United States, Canada, and around the world. The Academy grants Fellowships and Associate Memberships, as well as Fellowships for...
in term 2008-2012.
Professor Rudnicka was speaker (and on many occasions a co-organizer) at multiple dermatology meetings, including: American Academy of Dermatology, European Academy of Dermatology and Venerology (topics included: hair diseases, dermosopy and skin cancer detection, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, biological therapy in skin diseases, connective tissue diseases, acne, clinical trials).
Publications and editorial activity
Lidia Rudnicka is author or co-author of more than 200 articles and book chapters, mainly concerning autoimmune skin diseases, biological therapies, videodermoscopy, trichoscopy, epidemiology of skin diseases and managing medical institutions.Lidia Rudnicka is managing editor of "Journal of Case Reports in Dermatology", chairman of scientific board of "Dermatologica", member of scientific and editorial boards of Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, Przeglad Dermatologiczny, Expert Review in Dermatology and Dermatologia Estetyczna. She also reviewed papers for significant periodicals in the field of dermatology and venerology, with Archives of Dermatology, Journal of European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, Expert Review in Dermatology among them.
Selected publications
- Majewski S, Malejczyk J, Jablonska S, Misiewicz J, Rudnicka L, Obalek S, Orth G.:.Natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity against various target cells in patients with epidermodysplasia verruciformis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1990, 22, 423-427.
- Majewski S, Hunzelmann N, Nischt R, Eckes B, Rudnicka L, Orth G, Krieg T, Jablonska S.:TGF beta-1 and TNF alpha expression in the epidermis of patients with epidermodysplasia verruciformis. J Invest Dermatol. 1991, 97, 862-867.
- Rudnicka L, Marczak M, Szmurło A, Makieła B, Skiendzielewska A, Skopinska M, Majewski S, Jabłonska S.: Acitretin decreases tumor cell-induced angiogenesis. Skin Pharmacol. 1991, 4, 150-153.
- Rudnicka L, Majewski S, Blaszczyk M, Skiendzielewska A, Makiela B, Skopinska M, Jablonska S.:Adhesion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to vascular endothelium in patients with systemic sclerosis (scleroderma). Arthritis Rheum. 1992, 35, 771-775
- Mauviel A, Chen YQ, Kähäri VM, Ledo I, Wu M, Rudnicka L, Uitto J: Human recombinant interleukin -1 beta up=regulates elastin gene expression in derma fibroblasts. Evidence for transcriptional regulation in vitro and in vivo. J Biol Chem. 1993, 268, 6520-6524
- Rudnicka L, Varga J, Christiano AM, Iozzo RV, Jimenez SA, Uitto J.:Elevated expression of type VII collagen in the skin of patients with systemic sclerosis. Regulation by transforming growth factor-beta.J Clin Invest. 1994, 93, 1709–1715
- Varga J, Rudnicka L, Uitto J.: Connective tissue alterations in systemic sclerosis. Clin Dermatol. 1994, 12, 387-396
- Tamai K, Li K, Silos S, Rudnicka L, Hashimoto T, Nishikawa T, Uitto J: Interferon-gamma-mediated inactivation of transcription of the 230-kDa bullous pemphigoid antigen gene (BPAG1) provides novel insight into keratinocyte differentiation. J Biol Chem 1995, 270, 392-396
- Hitraya EG, Tan EM, Rudnicka L, Jimenez SA Expression of extracellular matrix genes in adult human dermal microvascular endothelial cells and their regulation by heparin and endothelial cell mitogens.. Lab Invest. 1995; 73:393-402.
- Rudnicka L, Czuwara J, Barusińska A, Nowicka U, Makieła B, Jabłonska S: Implications for the use of topoisomerase I inhibitors in treatment of patients with systemic sclerosis..Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1996, 803, 318-320.
- Czuwara-Ladykowska J, Makiela B, Smith EA, Trojanowska M, Rudnicka L.: The inhibitory effects of camptothecin, a topoisomerase I inhibitor, on collagen synthesis in fibroblasts from patients with systemic sclerosis. Arthritis Res, 2001, 3, 311-318
- Olszewska M., Rudnicka L.: Effective treatment of female androgenic alopecia with dutasteride. J Drugs Dermatol 2005, 4, 637-640
- Czuwara-Ladykowska J., Sicińska J., Olszewska M., Uhrynowska-Tyszkiewicz I., Rudnicka L: Prolactin synthesis by lymphocytes from patients with systemic sclerosis. Biomed Pharmacother 2006, 60(4), 152-155
- Rudnicka L, Olszewska M, Rakowska A, Kowalska-Oledzka E, Slowinska M. Trichoscopy: a new method for diagnosing hair loss. J Drugs Dermatol. 2008, 7, 651-654.
- Olszewska M, Rudnicka L, Rakowska A, Kowalska-Oledzka E, Slowinska M. Trichoscopy. Arch Dermatol. 2008, 144, 1007
- Walicka M, Majsterek M, Rakowska A, Słowińska M, Sicińska J, Góralska B, Ptasińska M, Rudnicka L, Marcinowska-Suchowierska E. Mycoplasma pneumoniae-induced pneumonia with Stevens-Johnson syndrome of acute atypical course. Pol Arch Med Wewn. 2008, 118 (7-8): 449-53
- Traczewski P, Rudnicka L: Adalimumab in dermatology. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2008, 66 :618-25
- Sicińska J, Górska E, Cicha M, Kuklo-Kowalska A, Hamze V, Stepien K, Wasik M, Rudnicka :. Increased serum fractalkine in systemic sclerosis. Down-regulation by prostaglandin E1. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2008, 26,:527-33.
- Sicińska J, Rudnicka L. Current treatment of systemic sclerosis. Part I. Immunosuppressive treatment. Pol Merkur Lek 2008, 25, 192-195
- Sicińska J, Rudnicka L :[Current treatment of systemic sclerosis. Part II. Vascular and antifibrotic treatment]. Pol Merkur Lek. 2008, 25, 196-200.
- Rakowska A, Slowinska M, Kowalska-Oledzka E, Olszewska M, Czuwara J, Rudnicka L.: Alopecia areata incognita: true or false?J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009, 60, 162-3
- Slowinska M, Rudnicka L, Schwartz RA, Kowalska-Oledzka E, Rakowska A, Sicinska J, Lukomska M, Olszewska M, Szymanska E. Comma hairs: a dermatoscopic marker for tinea capitis: a rapid diagnostic method.. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008 Nov; 59(5 Suppl): S77-9.
- Olszewska M., Wu J., Słowińska M., Rudnicka L.: The "PDA" Nail: Traumatic Nail Dystrophy in Habitual Users of Personal Digital Assistants Am J Clin Dermatol 2009, 2009, 10, 193-196
- Walecka I, Olszewska M, Rakowska A, Slowinska M, Sicinska J, Piekarczyk E, Kowalska-Oledzka E, Goralska B, Rudnicka L.:Improvement of psoriasis after antibiotic therapy with cefuroxime axetil. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2009, DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2009.03145.
- Rakowska A., Kowalska-Olędzka E., Słowińska M., Rosińska D., Rudnicka L.: Hair shaft videodrmoscopy in Netherton syndrome. Pediatr Dermatol 2009; 26: 320-2