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How can propionibacterium acnes cause back pain?
The aim of this project is to identify molecular mechanisms that may be explain pain development upon bacterial infection of the intervertebral disc, specifically by propionibacterium acnes.
Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is a Gram-positive, usually harmless bacterium that colonizes certain parts of the skin. However, it can also present as an opportunistic pathogen via bacterial seeding, causing invasive infections in e.g. bones and joints. Recently, a compelling association between P. acnes and the development of intervertebral disc related back pain has been described. However, the it is unclear how P. acnes infection in the disc can trigger back pain. In other cells, P. acnes has been found to induce inflammatory responses through the TLR-2-NfKB-pathway, indicating that a similar mechanism may exist in the intervertebral disc. Importantly, inflammation in the disc is known as a major contributor to back pain development.
In this project, which is a collaboration with the USZ, the role of P. acnes in intervertebral disc inflammation and the underlying pathways will be investigated. Project specifics are flexible based on knowledge, interest and time frame.
The project includes cell culture experiments, analysis of inflammatory markers by qPCR and ELISA, pathway investigations through inhibition experiments as well as immunohistochemistry. Infection of disc cells with P. acnes as well as analysis of P. acnes infection in surgical material will be done at the USZ, but applicants may be involved in these parts of the project as well.
Applicant should ideally have first experience with cell culture. Skills in conducting qPCR, ELISA or histology are of great advantage, but not a requirement.
Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is a Gram-positive, usually harmless bacterium that colonizes certain parts of the skin. However, it can also present as an opportunistic pathogen via bacterial seeding, causing invasive infections in e.g. bones and joints. Recently, a compelling association between P. acnes and the development of intervertebral disc related back pain has been described. However, the it is unclear how P. acnes infection in the disc can trigger back pain. In other cells, P. acnes has been found to induce inflammatory responses through the TLR-2-NfKB-pathway, indicating that a similar mechanism may exist in the intervertebral disc. Importantly, inflammation in the disc is known as a major contributor to back pain development. In this project, which is a collaboration with the USZ, the role of P. acnes in intervertebral disc inflammation and the underlying pathways will be investigated. Project specifics are flexible based on knowledge, interest and time frame. The project includes cell culture experiments, analysis of inflammatory markers by qPCR and ELISA, pathway investigations through inhibition experiments as well as immunohistochemistry. Infection of disc cells with P. acnes as well as analysis of P. acnes infection in surgical material will be done at the USZ, but applicants may be involved in these parts of the project as well. Applicant should ideally have first experience with cell culture. Skills in conducting qPCR, ELISA or histology are of great advantage, but not a requirement.
The goal of this project is to investigate whether and how P. acnes contributes to the inflammatory processes during degenerative disc disease. We will determine in vitro whether P. acnes infection of disc cells contributes to disc inflammation and investigate the involvement of TLR2-mediated NF-B activation. We will also analyze in a human biopsy study whether disc tissue surgically removed from patients treated for disc-related back pain that tests positive for P. acnes possesses altered inflammatory characteristics (TLR2 expression, NF-B activation, inflammatory markers) when compared to non-infected disc biopsies.
The goal of this project is to investigate whether and how P. acnes contributes to the inflammatory processes during degenerative disc disease. We will determine in vitro whether P. acnes infection of disc cells contributes to disc inflammation and investigate the involvement of TLR2-mediated NF-B activation. We will also analyze in a human biopsy study whether disc tissue surgically removed from patients treated for disc-related back pain that tests positive for P. acnes possesses altered inflammatory characteristics (TLR2 expression, NF-B activation, inflammatory markers) when compared to non-infected disc biopsies.
Karin Wuertz, kwuertz@ethz.ch / Institute for Biomechanics, HPP-O12, ETH Zürich / Professorship Wuertz-Kozak
Karin Wuertz, kwuertz@ethz.ch / Institute for Biomechanics, HPP-O12, ETH Zürich / Professorship Wuertz-Kozak
Each year the IDEA League offers the students of its partner universities over 180 monthly grants for a short-term research exchange. In general, these grants are awarded based on academic merit. For more information visit http://idealeague.org/student-grant/