Biology subjects

Gassler, N.

Publications and source records attributed to Gassler, N..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Sepsis Subtypes in Blood and Liver Define Precision Strategy for CXCR2 Blockade

Sepsis is classified into distinct transcriptomic endotypes. Yet specific cellular drivers for those subtypes remain ambiguous. Although dysregulated CXCL8-CXCR1/2 signaling and neutrophil hyperactivation are implicated in severe endotypes, the therapeutic window and organ-specific consequences of CXCR2 antagonism remain unclear. To determine whether murine transcriptomic subtypes (MTSs) recapitulate human consensus transcriptomic subtypes (CTSs) and evaluate how subtype state dictates the efficacy and trade-offs of Danirixin in polymicrobial sepsis. We reanalyzed septic patients whole-blood CITE-seq data to characterize CXCL8- CXCR2 signaling. Using a severity-stratified murine polymicrobial model, we evaluated Danirixins efficacy. Endpoints included 7-day survival, cytokine profiling, and hepatic histology. Early (24-h) multi-compartment assessments of bacterial burden, NETosis, immune infiltration, and paired blood-liver bulk RNA sequencing informed MTS classification and mechanistic insights. Human CTS1 exhibited neutrophil and progenitor expansion, elevated CXCL8/CD11b expression, and reduced CXCR2, defining a hyperactivated, dysregulated myeloid state. Applying CTS-derived gene signatures to murine tissues identified three MTSs correlating with pathogen load and interleukin-6. Human CTS1 dysregulation was mirrored in murine MTS3. Crucially, Danirixin improved 7-day survival in MTS3 sepsis. Conversely, in MTS1, Danirixin attenuated systemic NETosis and hepatic injury but exacerbated bacterial dissemination, without improving survival. Murine transcriptomic subtypes translationally model human sepsis subtypes. In severely dysregulated host-response states (MTS3/CTS1), CXCR2 antagonism effectively mitigates maladaptive, neutrophil-driven immunopathology. However, in less severe subtypes, it compromises early bacterial containment. These findings therefore support for endotype-guided precision targeting of CXCR2 in sepsis. One Sentence SummaryTargeting CXCR2 improves sepsis survival only in a specific molecular subtype, showing that host traits dictate therapeutic outcomes.

systems biology↗

bioRxiv2021

Selective uptake into inflamed human intestinal tissue and immune cell targeting by wormlike polymer micelles

Over the 21st century, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has become a global disease with no causal therapeutic options. Selective targeting of inflamed areas in the gastrointestinal tract could be an effective treatment circumventing severe side effects for healthy tissue. Our study demonstrates that the shape of polymeric nanostructures represents so far rarely addressed key to required tissue selectivity in the intestine. Ex vivo experiments on human colonic biopsies revealed that crosslinked wormlike micelles featuring a dense poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) shell exclusively enter the inflamed human mucosa without affecting healthy tissue. Similarly designed spherical micelles ([~]25 nm) or vesicles ([~]120 nm) penetrate both tissues or were barely uptaken at all, respectively. Moreover, it was found that the particles colocalize with immune cells in the lamina propria facilitating a specific targeting of the main pro-inflammatory cells within the diseased human mucosa. These findings demonstrate an untapped potential in particle design and enable new vistas for an effective treatment of IBD.

physiology↗

bioRxiv2021

Targeted delivery of a phosphoinositide 3-kinase γ inhibitor to restore organ function in sepsis through dye-functionalized lipid nanocarriers

Jaundice, the clinical hallmark of infection-associated liver dysfunction, reflects altered membrane organization of the canalicular pole of hepatocytes and portends poor outcomes. Mice lacking phosphoinositide 3-kinase-{gamma} (PI3K{gamma}) are protected against membrane disintegration and hepatic excretory dysfunction. However, they exhibit a severe immune defect that hinders neutrophil recruitment to sites of infection. To exploit the therapeutic potential of PI3K{gamma} inhibition in sepsis, a targeted approach to deliver drugs to hepatic parenchymal cells without compromising other cells, in particular immune cells, seems warranted. Here we demonstrate that nanocarriers functionalized through DY-635, a fluorescent polymethine dye and a ligand of organic anion transporters can selectively deliver therapeutics to hepatic parenchymal cells. Applying this strategy to a murine model of sepsis, we observed PI3K{gamma}-dependent restoration of biliary canalicular architecture, maintained excretory liver function, and improved survival without impairing host defense mechanisms. This strategy carries the potential to expand targeted nanomedicines to disease entities with systemic inflammation and concomitantly impaired barrier functionality. One-Sentence SummaryDye-functionalized liposomes allow delivery of a PI3K{gamma} inhibitor to hepatocytes to resolve sepsis-related liver failure without off-target effects on immunity. Graphical AbstractTargeting PI3K{gamma} in hepatocytes by dye-functionalized liposomes to resolve sepsis-related liver failure without off-target effects on immunity. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=178 SRC="FIGDIR/small/427305v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (41K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@d52fdeorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@39bf3aorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@13999c7org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@9edfa0_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2021

RIPK3 promoter hypermethylation in hepatocytes protects from bile acid induced inflammation and necroptosis

Background & AimsNecroptosis facilitates cell death in a controlled manner and is employed by many cell types following injury. It plays a major role in various liver diseases, albeit the cell type-specific regulation of necroptosis in the liver and especially hepatocytes has not yet been conceptualized. Approaches & ResultsHere, we demonstrate that DNA methylation suppresses RIPK3 expression in human hepatocytes and HepG2 cells. In diseases leading to cholestasis the RIPK3 expression is induced in mice and humans in a cell-type specific manner. Over-expression of RIPK3 in HepG2 cells leads immediately to RIPK3 activation by phosphorylation that is further modulated by different bile acids. ConclusionBile acids mediated RIPK3 activation facilitates the secretion and expression of IL-8 via the JNK-pathway, suggesting hepatocytes suppress RIPK3 expression to protect themselves from bile acid induced necroptosis and inflammation but in chronical liver diseases associated with cholestasis induction of RIPK3 expression may be an early event signaling danger and repair through release of IL-8. Graphical abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=92 SRC="FIGDIR/small/426790v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (28K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1134cborg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1a12063org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@15575a8org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@19f7596_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2020

Early postmortem mapping of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in patients with COVID-19 and correlation to tissue damage

Clinical observations indicate that COVID-19 is a systemic disease. An investigation of the viral distribution within the human body in correlation to tissue damage can help understanding the pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection.We present a detailed mapping of viral RNA in 61 tissues and organs of 11 deceased patients with the diagnosis COVID-19. The autopsies were performed within the (very) early postmortem interval (mean: 5.6 hours) to avoid bias due to viral RNA and tissue degradation. Viral loads, blood levels of cytokines, prothrombotic factors as well as macro- and micro-morphology were correlated.Very high (> 104 copies/ml) viral loads were detected in the lungs of most patients and then correlated to severe tissue damage. Intact viral particles could be verified in the lung tissue by transmission electron microscopy. Viral loads in the lymph nodes were associated with a loss of follicular architecture. Viral RNA was detected throughout further extra-pulmonary tissues and organs without visible tissue damage. Inflammatory cytokines as well as the prothrombotic factors were elevated in all patients.In conclusion, the dissemination of SARS-CoV-2-RNA throughout the body supports the hypothesis of a maladaptive host response with viremia and multi-organ dysfunction.View Full Text

immunology↗