Mitochondrial Debris as a Discriminator Between Inflammatory and Infectious Complications of Blast Injuries: The Enemy Within
Abstract
Background: Blast injuries kill tissue. The inflammatory response that follows is hard to tell from infection, but should be treated very differently. Objective: The objective is to create tests differentiating inflammation from infection. Rationale: Inflammation can be a response to infection or to the release of molecules that are normally from inside cells. Mitochondria are cellular structures that are evolutionarily derived from bacteria. Thus the body acts infected when they are released from damaged cells. We can tell mitochondrial from bacterial DNA using genetic tests. Specific aims: 1) Determine which patients have bacterial DNA and mitochondrial DNA in their blood by created tests measuring mitochondrial and bacterial DNA in rat plasma. We will start with screening tests, develop simpler tests that can be used in the battlefield. 2) Check the accuracy of our tests: We will create different injury and infection models to improve the tests. We will make sure tests that work in animals also apply to humans. 3) Determine if mitochondrial DNA is actually harmful. Mitochondrial DNA might be harmful or simply a marker for crushed cells. If it is harmful, we can block its effects. So we will test whether it worsens injuries of the lung in rats.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA574339
Entities
People
- Carl J. Hauser
Organizations
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center