Interest: Myeloid response to injury and infection
Successful recovery following injury and infection
is dependent upon sufficient number of functionally
competent neutrophils and macrophages working in
a coordinated fashion with other aspects of the
host response. The focus of Dr. Gamelli's research
is to understand how severe burn injury and sepsis
results in a bone marrow milieu conducive to increased
monocytopoiesis. Following burn injury and sepsis,
the unrestrained availability of activated monocytes
and macrophages drives the inflammatory process
and results in disregulated cytokine production.
To document changes in monocytopoiesis following
burn and sepsis, Dr. Gamelli's lab utilizes flow
cytometric analysis of monocytopoietic developmental
antigens as well as marrow clonogenic assays. The
mechanism for these injury induced changes in monocytopoiesis
is investigated by the examination of M-CSF and
M-CSF receptor levels in both circulating and marrow
cell populations. Mechanistic studies investigate
how injury and sepsis influence the expression
pattern of monocyte development associated transcription
factors. The role of cytokines in the alteration
of monocytopoiesis and monocyte function is also
under investigation. Looking towards potential
therapeutic applications, some studies explore
the possibility that abrogation of particular key
mediators, such as PGE2, can restore proper immune
function. These studies build upon efforts that
have been ongoing for now twenty years. Through
rigorous examination of the myeloid response to
injury and infection, this research will extend
previous observations, and will provide insights
by which to improve burn patient outcome.
