Research

The research is focused on immune competent cells i.e. macrophages, polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells and primary cultures of pituicytes (astrocytes) isolated from the neurohypophysis. We investigate these cells for their role in sepsis and inflammation and especially for their capacity to communicate with the neuroendocrine system. Cell lines of macrophages and PMN are also used to develop in-vitro pyrogen test for pharmaceuticals.
For the moment we work with two sub-projects 

Pharmaceutical Microbiology

Safe application of parenteral drugs is closely connected to the microbial and immunological quality of the products. Pharmaceutical preparations are tested for microbial substances by the "Test for pyrogens" (rabbit pyrogen test) or "Test for bacterial endotoxins" (LAL test). Both tests have severe limitations. Therefore there is a need for development of alternative in-vitro assays. Based on cell lines of immune competent cells we work towards alternative pyrogen assays. Click for Further reading. 

Neuroimmunopharmacology

The research is dealing with the communication between the immune and the neuroendocrine system at the neurohypophysial level. Previously we have shown the ability of interleukin-1beta to stimulate the release, both in-vivo and in-vitro, of oxytocin and vasopressin. At the present we are investigating the pattern of cytokine release from cultured glia cells from the neurohypophysis (pituicytes) and the mechanisms which control this release. The main objective is to elucidate whether a paracrine communication between the pituicytes and the axonal terminals in the neurohypophysis exists.
We have shown that various inflammatory mediators stimulate the release of IL-6 from pituicytes. We are planning to investigate the effect of IL-6 on the release of the neurophyseal hormones.