@phdthesis{Schlegel2006, author = {Schlegel, Nicolas}, title = {Reaktive Ver{\"a}nderungen von R{\"u}ckenmark und Nervenwurzeln nach dorsaler Rhizotomie sowie Ausriss und Replantation der Vorderwurzel im Segment C7 mit Applikation neurotropher Faktoren CNTF und BDNF}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-25325}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2006}, abstract = {Als Therapieversuch bei Plexusl{\"a}sionen wird die Replantation ausgerissener Vorderwurzelfasern durchgef{\"u}hrt. Voraussetzung f{\"u}r die erfolgreiche Regeneration von Motoneuronaxonen sind 1. {\"U}berleben einer ausreichenden Anzahl von Motoneuronen 2. erfolgreiche Wiederherstellung der Kontuit{\"a}t ausgerissener Axone mit dem R{\"u}ckenmark und 3. funktionelle Hochwertigkeit regenerierter Axone. Neurotrophe Faktoren k{\"o}nnen {\"U}berleben und Regenerationsf{\"a}higkeit von Motoneuronen f{\"o}rdern. Gegenstand der vorliegenden Arbeit war die Analyse des Einflusses von CNTF und BDNF auf die Regeneration von Motoneuronaxonen nach Ausriss und Replantation im Segment C7 nach einer {\"U}berlebenszeit von 3 Wochen bzw. 6 Monaten. Vervollst{\"a}ndigt wurden diese Untersuchungen durch detaillierte morphologische Analysen von Spinalganglien, durchtrennter Hinterwurzel und verletztem Hinterhorn. In verschiedenen Gruppen von adulten Kaninchen wurden CNTF, BDNF, oder beide Faktoren auf die ventrolaterale Replantationsstelle appliziert, Kontrollen wurden ohne Faktor belassen (n>5). Die {\"U}berlebenszeit der Versuchstiere lag bei 3 Wochen (n=3 Kontrollen) und 6 Monaten (n=27). Aus dem perfundiertem Gewebe wurden Semid{\"u}nnschnitte durch Vorderwurzel/Spinalganglien und Kryostatserienschnitte durch das Segment C7 angefertigt. DiI-Fluoreszenztracing, Markscheidenf{\"a}rbung, eine modifizierte Kl{\"u}ver-Barrera-F{\"a}rbung der Kryostatschnitte sowie eine Touloidinblauf{\"a}rbung der Semid{\"u}nnschnitte erm{\"o}glichte die morphologische und morphometrische Analyse des Gewebes. Die Anzahl der {\"u}berlebenden Motoneurone lag nach sechs Monaten bei allen Versuchsgruppen bei etwa 30\%. Fluoreszenz-Tracing und Markscheidenf{\"a}rbungen von Serienschnitten zeigten, dass Axone sowohl {\"u}ber die urspr{\"u}nglichen ventralen Austrittstellen als auch {\"u}ber die ventrolaterale Replantationsstelle das R{\"u}ckenmark verließen und im Bereich des Spinalganglions eine kompakte Vorderwurzel bildeten. Ventral austretende Axone zeigten signifikant gr{\"o}ßere Durchmesser als lateral austretende. Ausmaß und Art der Regeneration waren interindividuell unterschiedlich, die besten Ergebnisse zeigte die Replantation nah am urspr{\"u}nglichen Austrittsort der Vorderwurzel. Unterschiede zwischen den Gruppen waren nicht deutlich. In Semid{\"u}nnschnitten durch die regenerierte Vorderwurzel fanden sich nach drei Wochen kaum intakte, myelinisierte Axone, nach sechs Monaten war die Zahl der Axone auf etwa 45\% der Zahl der gesunden Seite angestiegen. Regenerierte Axone waren d{\"u}nn, typische Motoneuronaxone stellten nur einen kleinen Teil der regenerierten Axone. Gruppenunterschiede fanden sich im Axon-Myelinverh{\"a}ltnis, das bei Kontrollen der replantierten Seiten signifikant erniedrigt war. Diese Erniedrigung war noch vorhanden, jedoch nicht mehr signifikant bei Tieren, die mit CNTF- und BDNF-behandelt wurden. Die replantierten Vorderwurzeln der CNTF+BDNF-Gruppe zeigte {\"u}berwiegend eine signifikant bessere Myelinisierung als die replantierten Kontrollen. An der fr{\"u}heren Hinterwurzeleintrittszone am R{\"u}ckenmark wurden in Tieren mit geringem Verletzungsausmaß kleine ZNS-Gewebsprotrusionen beobachtet, in denen sich myelinisierte Axone befanden. Diese Axone zeigten eine Wachstumsrichtung in die Peripherie, was auf eine Sprossung der sensorischen R{\"u}ckenmarksneurone schließen l{\"a}sst. Innerhalb des Spinalganglions waren Neuron- und Axondichte auf den verletzten Seiten nicht wesentlich ver{\"a}ndert. Eine leichte Abnahme des relativen Anteils großer Neurone und Axone wurde in den verletzten Seiten der Kontrollgruppe beobachtet. F{\"u}r Axone war diese Abnahme statistisch signifikant. Im Gegensatz dazu war dies in Tieren, die mit neurotrophen Faktoren behandelt wurden, nicht zu beobachten. Bei allen Tieren zeigte sich ein betr{\"a}chtliches Auswachsen von Hinterwurzelaxonen aus dem Spinalganglion. Diese Axone fanden keine spontane Verbindung mit dem proximalen Rest der Wurzel, sondern waren durch Bindegewebe eingeh{\"u}llt. Bei etwa der H{\"a}lfte der Tiere zeigte sich, dass einer Untergruppe dieser Axone in Richtung des Narbengewebes der replantierten Vorderwurzel gewachsen war und {\"u}ber Defekte in der Bindegewebsh{\"u}lle teilweise sogar in die Vorderwurzel einwuchsen. Ein m{\"o}glicher Einfluss der applizierten neurotrophen Faktoren auf das quantitative Regenerationsergebnis scheint also in diesem Modell gering zu sein. Auf eine qualitative Verbesserung deutet die Normalisierung des Axon-Myelinverh{\"a}ltnisses großer regenerierter Axone bei Kombinationsbehandlung hin. Die im vorliegenden Modell betr{\"a}chtliche Regenerationskapazit{\"a}t der Hinterwurzel scheint bisher untersch{\"a}tzt worden zu sein. Das unerwartete Einwachsen von Hinterwurzelaxonen in die Vorderwurzel k{\"o}nnte mit einer funktionellen Beeintr{\"a}chtigung der regenerierten Vorderwurzel verbunden sein.}, subject = {Nervenregeneration}, language = {de} } @article{WiegeringIsbertDietzetal.2014, author = {Wiegering, Armin and Isbert, Christoph and Dietz, Ulrich A. and Kunzmann, Volker and Ackermann, Sabine and Kerscher, Alexander and Maeder, Uwe and Flentje, Michael and Schlegel, Nicolas and Reibetanz, Joachim and Germer, Christoph-Thomas and Klein, Ingo}, title = {Multimodal therapy in treatment of rectal cancer is associated with improved survival and reduced local recurrence - a retrospective analysis over two decades}, doi = {10.1186/1471-2407-14-816}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-110606}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Background The management of rectal cancer (RC) has substantially changed over the last decades with the implementation of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, adjuvant therapy and improved surgery such as total mesorectal excision (TME). It remains unclear in which way these approaches overall influenced the rate of local recurrence and overall survival. Methods Clinical, histological and survival data of 658 out of 662 consecutive patients with RC were analyzed for treatment and prognostic factors from a prospectively expanded single-institutional database. Findings were then stratified according to time of diagnosis in patient groups treated between 1993 and 2001 and 2002 and 2010. Results The study population included 658 consecutive patients with rectal cancer between 1993 and 2010. Follow up data was available for 99.6\% of all 662 treated patients. During the time period between 2002 and 2010 significantly more patients underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (17.6\% vs. 60\%) and adjuvant chemotherapy (37.9\% vs. 58.4\%). Also, the rate of reported TME during surgery increased. The rate of local or distant metastasis decreased over time, and tumor related 5-year survival increased significantly with from 60\% to 79\%. Conclusion In our study population, the implementation of treatment changes over the last decade improved the patient's outcome significantly. Improvements were most evident for UICC stage III rectal cancer.}, language = {en} } @article{SchickIsbaryStueberetal.2012, author = {Schick, Martin Alexander and Isbary, Jobst Tobias and Stueber, Tanja and Brugger, Juergen and Stumpner, Jan and Schlegel, Nicolas and Roewer, Norbert and Eichelbroenner, Otto and Wunder, Christian}, title = {Effects of crystalloids and colloids on liver and intestine microcirculation and function in cecal ligation and puncture induced septic rodents}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-78151}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background: Septic acute liver and intestinal failure is associated with a high mortality. We therefore investigated the influence of volume resuscitation with different crystalloid or colloid solutions on liver and intestine injury and microcirculation in septic rodents. Methods: Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in 77 male rats. Animals were treated with different crystalloids (NaCl 0.9\% (NaCl), Ringer's acetate (RA)) or colloids (Gelafundin 4\% (Gel), 6\% HES 130/0.4 (HES)). After 24 h animals were re-anesthetized and intestinal (n = 6/group) and liver microcirculation (n = 6/group) were obtained using intravital microscopy, as well as macrohemodynamic parameters were measured. Blood assays and organs were harvested to determine organ function and injury. Results: HES improved liver microcirculation, cardiac index and DO2-I, but significantly increased IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α levels and resulted in a mortality rate of 33\%. Gel infused animals revealed significant reduction of liver and intestine microcirculation with severe side effects on coagulation (significantly increased PTT and INR, decreased haemoglobin and platelet count). Furthermore Gel showed severe hypoglycemia, acidosis and significantly increased ALT and IL-6 with a lethality of 29\%. RA exhibited no derangements in liver microcirculation when compared to sham and HES. RA showed no intestinal microcirculation disturbance compared to sham, but significantly improved the number of intestinal capillaries with flow compared to HES. All RA treated animals survided and showed no severe side effects on coagulation, liver, macrohemodynamic or metabolic state. Conclusions: Gelatine 4\% revealed devastated hepatic and intestinal microcirculation and severe side effects in CLP induced septic rats, whereas the balanced crystalloid solution showed stabilization of macro- and microhemodynamics with improved survival. HES improved liver microcirculation, but exhibited significantly increased pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. Crystalloid infusion revealed best results in mortality and microcirculation, when compared with colloid infusion.}, subject = {Medizin}, language = {en} } @article{LenschowFussKircheretal.2021, author = {Lenschow, Christina and Fuss, Carmina Teresa and Kircher, Stefan and Buck, Andreas and Kickuth, Ralph and Reibetanz, Joachim and Wiegering, Armin and Stenzinger, Albrecht and H{\"u}bschmann, Daniel and Germer, Christoph Thomas and Fassnacht, Martin and Fr{\"o}hling, Stefan and Schlegel, Nicolas and Kroiss, Matthias}, title = {Case Report: Abdominal Lymph Node Metastases of Parathyroid Carcinoma: Diagnostic Workup, Molecular Diagnosis, and Clinical Management}, series = {Frontiers in Endocrinology}, volume = {12}, journal = {Frontiers in Endocrinology}, issn = {1664-2392}, doi = {10.3389/fendo.2021.643328}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-233362}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Parathyroid carcinoma (PC) is an orphan malignancy accounting for only ~1\% of all cases with primary hyperparathyroidism. The localization of recurrent PC is of critical importance and can be exceedingly difficult to diagnose and sometimes futile when common sites of recurrence in the neck and chest cannot be confirmed. Here, we present the diagnostic workup, molecular analysis and multimodal therapy of a 46-year old woman with the extraordinary manifestation of abdominal lymph node metastases 12 years after primary diagnosis of PC. The patient was referred to our endocrine tumor center in 2016 with the aim to localize the tumor causative of symptomatic biochemical recurrence. In view of the extensive previous workup we decided to perform [18F]FDG-PET-CT. A pathological lymph node in the liver hilus showed slightly increased FDG-uptake and hence was suspected as site of recurrence. Selective venous sampling confirmed increased parathyroid hormone concentration in liver veins. Abdominal lymph node metastasis was resected and histopathological examination confirmed PC. Within four months, the patient experienced biochemical recurrence and based on high tumor mutational burden detected in the surgical specimen by whole exome sequencing the patient received immunotherapy with pembrolizumab that led to a biochemical response. Subsequent to disease progression repeated abdominal lymph node resection was performed in 10/2018, 01/2019 and in 01/2020. Up to now (12/2020) the patient is biochemically free of disease. In conclusion, a multimodal diagnostic approach and therapy in an interdisciplinary setting is needed for patients with rare endocrine tumors. Molecular analyses may inform additional treatment options including checkpoint inhibitors such as pembrolizumab.}, language = {en} } @article{HendricksLenschowKroissetal.2021, author = {Hendricks, Anne and Lenschow, Christina and Kroiss, Matthias and Buck, Andreas and Kickuth, Ralph and Germer, Christoph-Thomas and Schlegel, Nicolas}, title = {Evaluation of diagnostic efficacy for localization of parathyroid adenoma in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism undergoing repeat surgery}, series = {Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery}, volume = {406}, journal = {Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery}, number = {5}, issn = {1435-2451}, doi = {10.1007/s00423-021-02191-z}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-267520}, pages = {1615-1624}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Purpose Repeat surgery in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) is associated with an increased risk of complications and failure. This stresses the need for optimized strategies to accurately localize a parathyroid adenoma before repeat surgery is performed. However, evidence on the extent of required diagnostics for a structured approach is sparse. Methods A retrospective single-center evaluation of 28 patients with an indication for surgery due to pHPT and previous thyroid or parathyroid surgery was performed. Diagnostic workup, surgical approach, and outcome in terms of complications and successful removement of parathyroid adenoma with biochemical cure were evaluated. Results Neck ultrasound, sestamibi scintigraphy, C11-methionine PET-CT, and selective parathyroid hormone venous sampling, but not MRI imaging, effectively detected the presence of a parathyroid adenoma with high positive predictive values. Biochemical cure was revealed by normalization of calcium and parathormone levels 24-48h after surgery and was achieved in 26/28 patients (92.9\%) with an overall low rate of complications. Concordant localization by at least two diagnostic modalities enabled focused surgery with success rates of 100\%, whereas inconclusive localization significantly increased the rate of bilateral explorations and significantly reduced the rate of biochemical cure to 80\%. Conclusion These findings suggest that two concordant diagnostic modalities are sufficient to accurately localize parathyroid adenoma before repeat surgery for pHPT. In cases of poor localization, extended diagnostic procedures are warranted to enhance surgical success rates. We suggest an algorithm for better orientation when repeat surgery is intended in patients with pHPT.}, language = {en} } @article{LauruschkatPageWhiteetal.2021, author = {Lauruschkat, Chris D. and Page, Lukas and White, P. Lewis and Etter, Sonja and Davies, Helen E. and Duckers, Jamie and Ebel, Frank and Schnack, Elisabeth and Backx, Matthijs and Dragan, Mariola and Schlegel, Nicolas and Kniemeyer, Olaf and Brakhage, Axel A. and Einsele, Hermann and Loeffler, Juergen and Wurster, Sebastian}, title = {Development of a simple and robust whole blood assay with dual co-stimulation to quantify the release of T-cellular signature cytokines in response to Aspergillus fumigatus antigens}, series = {Journal of Fungi}, volume = {7}, journal = {Journal of Fungi}, number = {6}, issn = {2309-608X}, doi = {10.3390/jof7060462}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-241025}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Deeper understanding of mold-induced cytokine signatures could promote advances in the diagnosis and treatment of invasive mycoses and mold-associated hypersensitivity syndromes. Currently, most T-cellular immunoassays in medical mycology require the isolation of mononuclear cells and have limited robustness and practicability, hampering their broader applicability in clinical practice. Therefore, we developed a simple, cost-efficient whole blood (WB) assay with dual α-CD28 and α-CD49d co-stimulation to quantify cytokine secretion in response to Aspergillus fumigatus antigens. Dual co-stimulation strongly enhanced A. fumigatus-induced release of T-cellular signature cytokines detectable by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or a multiplex cytokine assay. Furthermore, T-cell-dependent activation and cytokine response of innate immune cells was captured by the assay. The protocol consistently showed little technical variation and high robustness to pre-analytic delays of up to 8 h. Stimulation with an A. fumigatus lysate elicited at least 7-fold greater median concentrations of key T-helper cell signature cytokines, including IL-17 and the type 2 T-helper cell cytokines IL-4 and IL-5 in WB samples from patients with Aspergillus-associated lung pathologies versus patients with non-mold-related lung diseases, suggesting high discriminatory power of the assay. These results position WB-ELISA with dual co-stimulation as a simple, accurate, and robust immunoassay for translational applications, encouraging further evaluation as a platform to monitor host immunity to opportunistic pathogens.}, language = {en} } @article{KayisogluSchlegelBartfeld2021, author = {Kayisoglu, {\"O}zge and Schlegel, Nicolas and Bartfeld, Sina}, title = {Gastrointestinal epithelial innate immunity-regionalization and organoids as new model}, series = {Journal of Molecular Medicine}, volume = {99}, journal = {Journal of Molecular Medicine}, number = {4}, doi = {10.1007/s00109-021-02043-9}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-265220}, pages = {517-530}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The human gastrointestinal tract is in constant contact with microbial stimuli. Its barriers have to ensure co-existence with the commensal bacteria, while enabling surveillance of intruding pathogens. At the centre of the interaction lies the epithelial layer, which marks the boundaries of the body. It is equipped with a multitude of different innate immune sensors, such as Toll-like receptors, to mount inflammatory responses to microbes. Dysfunction of this intricate system results in inflammation-associated pathologies, such as inflammatory bowel disease. However, the complexity of the cellular interactions, their molecular basis and their development remains poorly understood. In recent years, stem cell-derived organoids have gained increasing attention as promising models for both development and a broad range of pathologies, including infectious diseases. In addition, organoids enable the study of epithelial innate immunity in vitro. In this review, we focus on the gastrointestinal epithelial barrier and its regional organization to discuss innate immune sensing and development.}, language = {en} } @article{ReibetanzKelmUttingeretal.2022, author = {Reibetanz, Joachim and Kelm, Matthias and Uttinger, Konstantin L. and Reuter, Miriam and Schlegel, Nicolas and Hankir, Mohamed and Wiegering, Verena and Germer, Christoph-Thomas and Fassnacht, Martin and Lock, Johan Friso and Wiegering, Armin}, title = {Differences in morbidity and mortality between unilateral adrenalectomy for adrenal Cushing's syndrome and bilateral adrenalectomy for therapy refractory extra-adrenal Cushing's syndrome}, series = {Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery}, volume = {407}, journal = {Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery}, number = {6}, doi = {10.1007/s00423-022-02568-8}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-323947}, pages = {2481-2488}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Purpose In selected cases of severe Cushing's syndrome due to uncontrolled ACTH secretion, bilateral adrenalectomy appears unavoidable. Compared with unilateral adrenalectomy (for adrenal Cushing's syndrome), bilateral adrenalectomy has a perceived higher perioperative morbidity. The aim of the current study was to compare both interventions in endogenous Cushing's syndrome regarding postoperative outcomes. Methods We report a single-center, retrospective cohort study comparing patients with hypercortisolism undergoing bilateral vs. unilateral adrenalectomy during 2008-2021. Patients with adrenal Cushing's syndrome due to adenoma were compared with patients with ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome (Cushing's disease and ectopic ACTH production) focusing on postoperative morbidity and mortality as well as long-term survival. Results Of 83 patients with adrenalectomy for hypercortisolism (65.1\% female, median age 53 years), the indication for adrenalectomy was due to adrenal Cushing's syndrome in 60 patients (72.2\%; 59 unilateral and one bilateral), and due to hypercortisolism caused by Cushing's disease (n = 16) or non-pituitary uncontrolled ACTH secretion of unknown origin (n = 7) (27.7\% of all adrenalectomies). Compared with unilateral adrenalectomy (n = 59), patients with bilateral adrenalectomy (n = 24) had a higher rate of severe complications (0\% vs. 33\%; p < 0.001) and delayed recovery (median: 10.2\% vs. 79.2\%; p < 0.001). Using the MTL30 marker, patients with bilateral adrenalectomy fared worse than patients after unilateral surgery (MTL30 positive: 7.2\% vs. 25.0\% p < 0.001). Postoperative mortality was increased in patients with bilateral adrenalectomy (0\% vs. 8.3\%; p = 0.081). Conclusion While unilateral adrenalectomy for adrenal Cushing's syndrome represents a safe and definitive therapeutic option, bilateral adrenalectomy to control ACTH-dependent extra-adrenal Cushing's syndrome or Cushing's disease is a more complicated intervention with a mortality of nearly 10\%.}, language = {en} } @article{LenschowWennmannHendricksetal.2022, author = {Lenschow, Christina and Wennmann, Andreas and Hendricks, Anne and Germer, Christoph-Thomas and Fassnacht, Martin and Buck, Andreas and Werner, Rudolf A. and Plassmeier, Lars and Schlegel, Nicolas}, title = {Questionable value of [\(^{99m}\)Tc]-sestamibi scintigraphy in patients with pHPT and negative ultrasound}, series = {Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery}, volume = {407}, journal = {Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery}, number = {8}, doi = {10.1007/s00423-022-02648-9}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-323926}, pages = {3661-3669}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Purpose A successful focused surgical approach in primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) relies on accurate preoperative localization of the parathyroid adenoma (PA). Most often, ultrasound is followed by [\(^{99m}\)Tc]-sestamibi scintigraphy, but the value of this approach is disputed. Here, we evaluated the diagnostic approach in patients with surgically treated pHPT in our center with the aim to further refine preoperative diagnostic procedures. Methods A single-center retrospective analysis of patients with pHPT from 01/2005 to 08/2021 was carried out followed by evaluation of the preoperative imaging modalities to localize PA. The localization of the PA had to be confirmed intraoperatively by the fresh frozen section and significant dropping of the intraoperative parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. Results From 658 patients diagnosed with pHPT, 30 patients were excluded from the analysis because of surgery for recurrent or persistent disease. Median age of patients was 58.0 (13-93) years and 71\% were female. Neck ultrasound was carried out in 91.7\% and localized a PA in 76.6\%. In 23.4\% (135/576) of the patients, preoperative neck ultrasound did not detect a PA. In this group, [\(^{99m}\)Tc]-sestamibi correctly identified PA in only 25.4\% of patients. In contrast, in the same cohort, the use of [\(^{11}\)C]-methionine or [\(^{11}\)C]-choline PET resulted in the correct identification of PA in 79.4\% of patients (OR 13.23; 95\% CI 5.24-33.56). Conclusion [\(^{11}\)C]-Methionine or [\(^{11}\)C]-choline PET/CT are superior second-line imaging methods to select patients for a focused surgical approach when previous ultrasound failed to identify PA.}, language = {en} } @article{SilwedelHuettenSpeeretal.2023, author = {Silwedel, Christine and H{\"u}tten, Matthias C. and Speer, Christian P. and H{\"a}rtel, Christoph and Haarmann, Axel and Henrich, Birgit and Tijssen, Maud P. M. and Alnakhli, Abdullah Ahmed and Spiller, Owen B. and Schlegel, Nicolas and Seidenspinner, Silvia and Kramer, Boris W. and Glaser, Kirsten}, title = {Ureaplasma-driven neonatal neuroinflammation: novel insights from an ovine model}, series = {Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology}, volume = {43}, journal = {Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology}, number = {2}, doi = {10.1007/s10571-022-01213-8}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-324285}, pages = {785-795}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Ureaplasma species (spp.) are considered commensals of the adult genitourinary tract, but have been associated with chorioamnionitis, preterm birth, and invasive infections in neonates, including meningitis. Data on mechanisms involved in Ureaplasma-driven neuroinflammation are scarce. The present study addressed brain inflammatory responses in preterm lambs exposed to Ureaplasma parvum (UP) in utero. 7 days after intra-amniotic injection of UP (n = 10) or saline (n = 11), lambs were surgically delivered at gestational day 128-129. Expression of inflammatory markers was assessed in different brain regions using qRT-PCR and in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by multiplex immunoassay. CSF was analyzed for UP presence using ureB-based real-time PCR, and MRI scans documented cerebral white matter area and cortical folding. Cerebral tissue levels of atypical chemokine receptor (ACKR) 3, caspases 1-like, 2, 7, and C-X-C chemokine receptor (CXCR) 4 mRNA, as well as CSF interleukin-8 protein concentrations were significantly increased in UP-exposed lambs. UP presence in CSF was confirmed in one animal. Cortical folding and white matter area did not differ among groups. The present study confirms a role of caspases and the transmembrane receptors ACKR3 and CXCR4 in Ureaplasma-driven neuroinflammation. Enhanced caspase 1-like, 2, and 7 expression may reflect cell death. Increased ACKR3 and CXCR4 expression has been associated with inflammatory central nervous system (CNS) diseases and impaired blood-brain barrier function. According to these data and previous in vitro findings from our group, we speculate that Ureaplasma-induced caspase and receptor responses affect CNS barrier properties and thus facilitate neuroinflammation.}, language = {en} }