Group Leaders:
Kerstin Krieglstein, Ph.D., Docent
Phone: +49-6221-54 8310; Fax: +49-6221-54 5604
E-Mail: kriegl@novsrv1.pio1.uni-heidelberg.de
Siegfried Mense, M.D., Professor of Anatomy & Cell Biology
Phone: +49-6221-54 4193; Fax: +49-6221-54 6071
E-Mail: mense@novsrv1.pio1.uni-heidelberg.de
Jürgen Metz, M.D., Professor of Anatomy & Cell Biology
Phone: +49-6221-54 8309; Fax: +49-6221-54 4912
E-Mail: ep9@ix.urz.uni-heidelberg.de
Klaus Unsicker, M.D., Professor of Anatomy & Cell Biology
Phone: +49-6221-54 8309; Fax: +49-6221-54 4912
E-Mail: unsicker@novsrv1.pio1.uni-heidelberg.de
Kerstin Krieglstein and her group are studying mechanisms and effects of TGF-ß underlying the regulation of ontogenetic and lesion-mediated neuron death using cell and molecular biology techniques, neuron cultures, and animal models.
Research Associates (Postdocs)
Sandra Richter, Ph.D.: Regulation of ontogenetic neuron death
by TGF-ß in the chick embryo
Lilla Farkas, M.D.: Control of NGF-mediated events in PC12 cells
by TGF-ß
Recent publications:
Krieglstein, K., Suter-Crazzolara, C., Fischer, W.H., Unsicker, K.
TGF-ß superfamily members promote survival of midbrain dopaminergic
neurons and protect them against MPP+ toxicity.
EMBO J. 14: 736-742 (1995)
Krieglstein, K., Unsicker, K.
Protein from chromaffin granules promotes survival of mesencephalic
dopaminergic neurons by an EGF-receptor ligand-mediated mechanism.
J. Neuroscience Res. 48: 18-30 (1997)
Jordan, J., Böttner, M., Schluesener, H.J., Unsicker, K., Krieglstein,
K.
Bone morphogenetic proteins: neurotrophic roles for midbrain dopaminergic
neurons and implications of astroglial cells.
Eur. J. Neuroscience 9: 1699-1710 (1997)
Funding: German Research Foundation (DFG), industry, various private foundations
Collaborations:
PD Dr. M. Bähr, Neurology, University Tübingen, Germany
Prof. Dr. A. Björklund, Dept. of Neuroscience, University of Lund, Sweden
Prof. Dr. C. Kalcheim, Dept. Anatomy and Cell Biology, Hebrew University, Israel
Prof. Dr. G. Kreuzberg and Dr. G. Raivich, MPI for Neurobiology, Germany
Siegfried Mense and co-workers investigate the neuroanantomy, neurophysiology, and molecular basis of musculoskeletal pain and urinary bladder hyperactivity with current focus on mechanisms located in the spinal cord. They apply immunohistochemical and neurophysiological techniques in the anesthetized animal to study neuroplastic changes in spinal neuronal networks follwing a longer-lasting peripheral lesion (myositis, cystitis, transection of spinal cord).
Research Associates (Postdocs):
Peter Callsen-Cencic, Ph.D., changes in spinal expression of neuropeptides and NOS induced by
an experimental cystitis and spinal cord transection. Effects of spinal cord cooling on urinary bladder hyperactivity
Ulrich Hoheisel, Ph.D., spinal effects of NO and FGF-2 on sensory neurons mediating muscle pain and dysesthesia
Alexander Kaske, M.D., effects of differential stimulation of primary afferent fiber subpopulations on the time-course
and extent of spinal NOS expression and diaphorase activity
Recent publications:
Callsen-Cencic, P. and Mense, S.
Expression of neuropeptides and nitric oxide synthase in neurones innervating the inflamed rat urinary bladder.
J. auton. Nerv. Syst. 65, 33-44 (1997)
Hoheisel, U., Kaske, A., Reinert, A., and Mense, S.
Frequency-dependent expression of diaphorase staining and nNOS-immunoreactivity in rat dorsal horn neurones
following C-fibre stimulation.
Neurosci. Lett. 227, 181-184 (1997)
Hoheisel, U., Sander, B., and Mense, S.
Myositis-induced functional reorganization of the rat dorsal horn: effects of spinal superfusion with antagonists to
neurokinin and glutamate receptors.
Pain 69, 219-230 (1997).
Funding:
German Research Foundation (DFG), Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (BMBF), pharmaceutical company
Collaborations:
Prof. L. Arendt-Nielsen, Center for Sensory-Motor Interaction, University of Aalborg, Fredrik Bajersvej 7D, DK 9220, Aalborg E
Prof. D.G. Simons, 3176 Monticello St. Covington, GA 30014-3535, USA
Prof. L. Vecchiet, Universita degli studi G. D'Annuncio, Cattedra di semeiotica medica, Via Valignani, I-66100 Chieti
Jürgen Metz and his group apply morphological (computer assisted morphometry, light and electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry), biochemical, and molecular biological (RT-PCR) methods for studying mechanisms underlying pathological changes in the blood vessel wall of man and experimental animals. A current focus is on the role of macrophages and smooth muscle cells in various types of stenotic vascular alterations and their manipulation by pharmacological and physical interventions.
Research Associates (Postdocs):
Kinscherf Ralf, Ph.D.: Oxidative stress and programmed cell
death in macrophages
Bonaterra Gabriel, Ph.D.: Gene expression of antioxidant scavengers
in macrophages
Dongming Hou, MD : Models of stent implantation
Recent publications:
Kinscherf R, Claus R, Deigner HP, Nauen O, Gehrke C, Hermetter A, Rußwurm
S, Daniel, V, Hack V, Metz J
Modified low density lipoprotein delivers substrate for ceramide formation
and stimulates the sphingomyelin-ceramide pathway in human macrophages.
FEBS Lett 405: 55-59 (1997)
Kollum M, Kaiser S, Kinscherf R, Metz J, Kübler W, Hehrlein C
Apoptosis after stent implantation compared with balloon angioplasty
in rabbits. The role of macrophages.
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Res 17: 2383-2388 (1997)
Kinscherf R, Kamencic H, Deigner HP, Pill J, Schmiedt W, Schrader M,
Metz J
Effect of alterations of blood cholesterol levels on macrophages in
the myocardium of New Zealand White rabbits.
J Leukocyte Biol 62: 719-725 (1997)
Kinscherf R, Deigner HP, Usinger C, Pill J, Wagner M, Kamencic H, Dongming
H, Chen, M, Schmiedt W, Schrader M, Kovacs G, Kato K, Metz J
Induction of manganese superoxide dismutase by oxidized-LDL - Its relevance
in atherosclerosis of humans and heritable hyperlipidemic rabbits.
FASEB J 11: 1317-1328 (1997)
Kramer MF, Kinscherf R, Aidonidis I, Metz J
Reorganisation of the terminal vascularisation after experimental myocardial
infarction.
Cell Tissue Res 291: 97-105 (1998)
Funding:
German Academic Foreign Service (DAAD), Research Support Programm of
the Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Industry
Collaborations:
Hehrlein, C., MD, Docent, Department of Cardiology, Medical University
Hospital, Heidelberg
Deigner, HP., PhD, Docent, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry,
University of Heidelberg
Schmiedt, W., Docent, Department of Vascular Surgery, University of
Mainz
Strecker, EP., Leader of Department of X-Ray Diagnostics and Nuclear
Medicine, Karlsruhe
Klaus Unsicker and associates have a long-standing interest to explore the molecular and cellular bases of neural development and transfer such knowledge to the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, as e.g. Parkinson´s disease. They are currently focusing on CNS aminergic systems and the neural crest-derived sympathoadrenal cell lineage. The group is interested in growth factor-and neurotransmitter-mediated regulation of cell survival and differentiation, with a particular interest in the synergistic actions neurotrophins, transforming growth factor-ßs, and fibroblast growth factors on aminergic neurons. With regard to the sympathoadrenal cell lineage the group is currently working on the roles of glucocorticoids and neurotrophins in the development of chromaffin cells and their preganglionic innervation. The group employs technologies from molecular and cell biology, in vitro and animal models of neurodegenerative diseases including gene knockouts.
Research Associates (Postdocs)
Lilla Farkas, M.D.: Roles of TGF-ßs in midbrain development
and mediation of neurotrophin actions
Susetta Finotto, Ph.D.: Analysis of glucocorticoid receptor
knockout mice in relation to chromaffin cell development
Dagmar Galter, Ph.D.: Regulation of serotonergic neurons by
cytokines in vitro
Joszef Jaszai, M.D.: Implications of LIFRß, trkB and trkC
in the differentiation of serotonergic neurons
Berhard Reuss, Ph.D.: Regulation of gap junction communication
in the CNS by cytokines
Andreas Schober, Ph.D.: Role of neurotrophin signalling in the
development of preganglionic sympathetic neurons
Jens Strelau, Ph.D.: Regulation of oligodendrocyte progenitor
cell development and functions by members of the GDNF family
Clemens Suter-Crazzolara, Ph.D.: Cloning of a novel member of
the TGF-ß superfamily; GDNF promoter functions
Recent publications:
Cole, T.J., Blendy, J.A., Monaghan, A.P., Krieglstein, K., Schmid,
W., Aguzzi, A, Fantuzzi, G., Hummler, E., Unsicker, K., Schütz, G.
Targeted disruption of the glucocrticoid receptor gene blocks adrenergic
chromaffin cell development and severely retards lung maturation.
Genes & Development 9: 1608-1621 (1995)
Suter-Crazzolara, C., Unsicker, K.
GDNF mRNA levels are induced by FGF-2 in rat C6 glioblastoma cells
Mol. Brain Res. 41: 175-182 (1996)
Schober, A., Minichiello, L., Keller, M., Huber, K., Layer, P.G., Roig-Lopez,
J.L., Garcia-Arraras, J.E., Klein, R., Unsicker, K.
Reduced acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in adrenal medulla and
loss of sympathetic preganglionic neurons in trkA-deficient, but not trkB-deficient,
mice.
J. Neuroscience 17: 891-903 (1997)
Funding:
German Research Foundation (DFG), Federal Ministry of Science and Technology
(BMBF), EU Biomed II, industry, various private foundations
Collaborations:
Prof. C. Kalcheim, Dept. Anatomy & Embryology, Hebrew University, Jerusalem
Dr. R. Klein, EMBL, Heidelberg
Prof. L. Olson, Dept. Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm
Prof. M. Saarma, Biotechnology, University of Helsinki
Prof. M. Sendtner, Dept. Neurology, University of Würzburg
Prof. G. Schütz, DKFZ, Heidelberg
Dr. H. Westphal, NIH, Bethedsa, MD
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