DZIF-Lab-Rotation Ureaplasma

01.09.2015 bis 01.10.2015

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease of preterm infants, causing differentiation arrest of the lung parenchyma leading to substantial morbidity and mortality during neonatal period, long term sequels and developmental delay. Sustained inflammation plays a central role in BPD development. The underlying mechanisms are multifactorial, especially Ureaplasma infection has been shown to be associated with BPD. Myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are anti-inflammatory precursors which are expanded in neonatal blood. Their role in Ureaplasma-induced inflammatory reactions are unknown.
We have established an in-vitro infection model with U. parvum and U. urealyticum in cord blood MDSC cultures. Basis for further research on pathogen-host-cell interaction will be a precise quantification of Ureaplasma spp.. However quantification method used by most groups is still a dilution series to estimate “color changing units”. Aim of the project is to establish a precise quantification method in our Lab by learning a RealTime-PCR based quantification method of Mollicutes practiced in Düsseldorf. This will significantly improve the quality of our further data.