Sterile inflammation and innate immune responses in acute-on-chronic liver failure

Our group was committed to supporting the GRAFT trial (Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) to treat acute-on-chronic liver failure: A multicenter randomized trial) with translational research, with experiments continuing far beyond the end of the trial. Blood from study patients was tested and sent to our laboratory for further analysis. The overall aim was to evaluate the clinical relevance of cellular and non-cellular immune responses in acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). Clinical evaluations were complemented by experiments in the mouse model and in vitro. We focus on the importance of purinergic DAMPS and ectonucleotidases, such as CD39, in regulating innate immune responses and modulating exacerbated inflammation in ACLF.

Team

Dr. rer. nat. Katrin Splith

Funding

Our study was generously supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG SCHM 2661/3-1/3-2).