Overview of Research
Severe injury causes inflammation and excessive activation of leukocytes (e.g., neutrophils), damaging host tissues. This process leads to multiple organ failure, a leading cause of death in trauma patients.
In those patients who survive this inflammatory process, a subsequent down-regulation of cellular immune function impairs the host’s immune defense against invading microorganisms. Consequently, many patients develop infections and sepsis, which are other major causes of death in trauma patients.
We study the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in these inflammatory and immunosuppressive responses with the ultimate goal to develop strategies to prevent post-traumatic complications.