Faculty	Richard L. Gamelli, M.D., F.A.C.S.

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.

Representative Publications:

View a partial list of Dr. Gamelli's publications through the National Library of Medicine's PubMed online database.