Suratt Lab Research

The focus of our research is the overlap between inflammation and repair mechanisms in the lung. Our ongoing work examines the role of the bone marrow in

• The release of inflammatory cells, particularly neutrophils, during the progression of inflammatory states such as acute lung injury
• The derivation of circulating stem cells capable of repairing and remodeling the injured lung.

Several cytokine and cell adhesion pathways appear to play overlapping critical roles in the trafficking of both inflammatory cells and stem cells from the marrow in the later period of lung injury, and yet very little is known about this period of transition from injury to repair. We have evidence to suggest that reciprocal regulation of several cytokines - particularly SDF-1 and G-CSF - between the marrow and the lung may drive this process, and are currently pursuing this hypothesis.

Other efforts in the lab include investigations of the pro-inflammatory effects marrow engraftment following transplantation, as witnessed in the clinically defined ‘Engraftment Syndrome’ which leads to significant morbidity and mortality in hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients. We are also examining the effects of obesity on the innate immune system and the pathogenesis of ALI/ARDS.

Marrow neutrophils associated with stromal cells. Much of the release and recirculation of neutrophils is controlled by these 'nurse' cells.

 

A murine model of transplant pneumonitis. Mice and humans show a susceptibilitiy to exuberant inflammation during hematopoietic engraftment. Such inflammation of the lungs is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality following marrow transplant. We use a lipopolysaccharide induced injury model in engrafting mice to duplicate this injury, as shown.

Last modified March 06 2012 02:29 PM