Modulation of Platelet-Neutrophil-Interaction as therapeutic approach during sepsis

• Applicant: Privatdozent Dr. David Messerer
• Subject Area: Clinical Infectiology and Tropical Medicine ; Hematology, Oncology ; Immunology
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 568940582

Sepsis (blood poisoning) is a highly relevant medical condition in Germany and worldwide, with a mortality rate of around 25%. Sepsis is defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction resulting from a dysregulated response to infection. A key aspect of this is an excessive activity of the innate immune system, which triggers organ failure and thereby contributes to mortality. This creates an unmet clinical need to monitor and specifically modulate the innate immune system. Neutrophil granulocytes are the most abundant representatives of the innate immune response, and their activity is often influenced and enhanced by interactions with platelets. Therefore, this research project investigates the effects of platelet-neutrophil interactions in sepsis, develops new diagnostic approaches, and explores pharmacological intervention strategies to modulate platelet-neutrophil interactions in sepsis. To do so, the interaction between platelets and neutrophils will be characterized in vitro, and it will be determined how medication can modulate this interaction. The results will then be used to develop a diagnostic method that can be applied directly to patients to detect thromboinflammation. Finally, this method will be tested in a whole-blood model and a patient cohort to validate and establish its effectiveness and reliability in diagnostics and therapy.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants