Project Details
Projekt
Mechanism of activation of blood monocytes following major trauma
Applicant
Professor Dr. Robert S. Jack
Subject Area
Orthopaedics, Traumatology, Reconstructive Surgery
Term
from 2005 to 2007
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 16523962
Blood monocytes are rapidly activated after major trauma. This activation is associated with a change in the gene expression pattern in the cells which is detectable within 2 hours of trauma. In contrast no such activation takes place in the monocytes of patients undergoing minor elective surgery where the extend of tissue damage is minimal. The question we wish to pursue is how the monocytes in trauma patients are made aware that substantial tissue damage has taken place. One of the earliest responses to tissue damage involves the activation of platelets by contact with collagen and other components of the extra cellular matrix. Preliminary experiments suggest that activated platelets are able to induce the change in gene expression in the monocytes. With this application we wish to examine the activation of the monocytes in detail ¿ in particular with the respect to the involvement of activated platelets and their products.
DFG Programme
Priority Programmes
