FOR 696:  Molecular Analyses and Interactions at Articular Interfaces - The Role of Neuroendocrine Immune Mechanisms

• Subject Area: Medicine
• Term: from 2006 to 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 18385968

Damage and regeneration are central mechanisms of bone and connective tissue homeostasis.
Effectors of these mechanisms are cells of mesenchymal origin (mesenchymal stem cells, fibroblasts, chondrocytes, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, immune cells, etc.). Involved compartments of the joint are the more static structures such as cartilage and bone, and the more dynamic structures such as synovium and periost.
In the Research Unit we will integrate two different lines of research between trauma surgery/orthopedic surgery and rheumatology of inflamed joints. Firstly, it is attempted to establish optimum conditions for repair of cartilage. Secondly, it is attempted to lower inflammatory factors to minimise damage of cartilage/bone in chronic inflammation. We think that a continuum exists between low-grade inflammation, most probably necessary for regeneration, and high-grade inflammation, which is unwanted during chronic inflammation.
An important factor for the integration of scientists in this Research Unit is the focus on similar neuroendocrine immune mediators and mechanisms, such as catecholamines and various steroid hormones. In the Research Unit we will investigate neuroendocrine immune mechanisms for repair of cartilage and bone, for differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells, and for inflammatory processes in rheumatoid arthritis and experimental arthritis. This Research Unit might enable us to define new therapeutic targets for joint and bone diseases.

• DFG Programme: Research Units

Projects

• Adhesion mechanisms and cellular interactions at the articular borders under the influence of estrogens and dihydrotestosterone (Applicants Müller-Ladner, Ulf ;  Schedel, Jörg )
• Cell-cartilage interactions at the articular borders under the influence of steroid hormones and cannabinoids (Applicants Lowin, Torsten ;  Neumann, Elena )
• Chondroprotective role of the melanocortin system in osteoarthritis (Applicant Grässel, Susanne )
• Genetic association studies with neuroendocrine immune parameters in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis (Applicant Stark, Klaus )
• Role of tyrosine-hydroxylase (TH) - positive cells during inflammatory processes in arthritis (Applicant Straub, Rainer H. )
• Role of tyrosine-hydroxylase (TH) - positive cells in arthritis (Applicant Straub, Rainer H. )
• Sex hormone specific effects during chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (Applicant Angele, Peter )
• The blockade of neuropilin-2 as a new therapeutic principle in arthritis (Applicant Straub, Rainer H. )
• The blockade of neuropilin-2 / plexin A2 as therapeutic principle in arthritis (Applicant Straub, Rainer H. )
• The role of repellent factors in the maintenance of joint compartment border integrity (Applicant Schubert, Thomas )
• The role of repellent factors in the maintenance of joint compartment border integrity (Applicant Bosserhoff, Anja-Katrin )
• The role of the sympathetic neuroimmune modulation of the B cell in arthritis (Applicant Pongratz, Georg )
• Verwaltungsprojekt (Applicant Straub, Rainer H. )
• Zentralprojekt (Applicant Straub, Rainer H. )

• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Rainer H. Straub