Is the Course of a Sepsis Influenced by the Mobilization of Endothelial Progenitor Cells?

Neysan Rafat

Sepsis is a common disease in intensive care. Under this condition the body reacts to infection by injuring its own tissues and organs which leads to high mortality rates. Until now reliable methods to identify vulnerable patients are lacking, and treatment is mainly directed at its symptoms. The research presented in this video focuses on endothelial progenitor cells, a cell type derived from the bone marrow circulating in the bloodstream. Their role in the development and healing of sepsis is examined. In order to quantify the endothelial progenitor cells the study uses flow cytometry – a biotechnological method to sort and count cells. The findings indicate that VEGF, the vascular endothelial growth factor, correlates with a positive outcome of the disease. These results specifying the role of endothelial progenitor cells can lead to new therapies for sepsis and may in the future also help to cure various diseases such as diabetes or strokes by supporting endothelial regeneration of the body itself.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21036/LTPUB10063

Researcher

Neysan Rafat is a doctor at the University Clinic Heidelberg, Germany. He specializes in Pediatrics, Nephrology, and Emergency Medicine. In 2009, Rafat won the Young Investigator Award of the Medical Faculty Heidelberg, followed by the Fokko van der Woude Research Grant of the German Kidney Foundation in 2010. In his current research, Rafat focuses on the course of a Sepsis, reviewing the research done and exploring further research that could help move the knowledge on Sepsis.

Heidelberg University (Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg)

"Heidelberg University, founded in 1386, is Germany’s oldest university and one of the strongest research universities in all of Europe. The successes in both rounds of the Excellence Initiative and in internationally recognised rankings prove that Heidelberg’s excellent reputation and leading role in the scientific community are well deserved. In terms of educating students and promoting promising early-career academics, Heidelberg relies on research-based teaching and an outstanding, well-structured training for doctoral candidates. Heidelberg University is a comprehensive university, offering the full spectrum of disciplines in the humanities, law and the social sciences alongside the natural and life sciences, including medicine. As a comprehensive university, Heidelberg aims to continue to strengthen the individual disciplines and to further interdisciplinary cooperation, as well as to carry research results over into society and industry. With its aspiration of connecting traditional values with future-oriented scientific concepts in research and teaching, the university is building bridges to the future – Zukunft. Seit 1386." ( Source )