
Cell Biology
The research group "Cell Biology" investigates the biology of adult stem cells, immune cells, endothelial precursors and fibroblasts as well as their possible role in musculoskeletal tissue regeneration. We are looking at the interaction between cells, mechanics and the extracellular matrix. Furthermore, we are concentrating on alterations of intrinsic cell functions in response to extrinsic stimuli, such as age or an altered immune response. Our long-term goal is to develop new therapeutic approaches to improve musculoskeletal tissue regeneration, especially for impaired healing cases.
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Prognostic Biomarkers
The process of endogenous bone fracture repair restores prefractured properties and functions under optimal conditions. However, under certain constraints such as severe trauma, enhanced age, steroid therapy, or diabetes, this process can be delayed and may even result in incomplete healing and poor long-term outcome. About 5 to 15% of patients suffer from such complications after a fracture. These patients require additional surgery, which is associated with prolonged hospitalization and rehabilitation time and results in a high socioeconomic impact.
Currently, no reliable methods exist to prospectively identify patients at risk of impaired fracture healing. This may be a result of the wide interindividual variability in the degree of the injury, the associated soft tissue trauma, the patient’s compliance, the differences in anatomical reconstruction, and the inflammatory response at the onset of healing.
In addition to mesenchymal cells, immune cells are crucial for the endogenous regeneration of mesenchymal tissues even in the absence of infection. We previously found a relation between individual’s immune reactivity, the function of bone precursor cells (Mesenchymal Stromal Cells, MSCs) and disturbed fracture healing in humans. Our study revealed that compromised fracture healing is significantly correlated with enhanced levels of circulating terminally differentiated CD8+ effector memory T (TEMRA) cells. These cells were enriched in the hematoma and are major producers of TNF-α and IFN-γ, which inhibit osteogenic differentiation and survival of human MSCs (Fig.). To further investigate a causal relation between the enrichment of TEMRA cells, compromised MSC function, and the pathogenesis of poor bone fracture healing, we specifically depleted CD8+ T-cells in vivo by an antibody therapy. This treatment resulted in an enhanced endogenous fracture repair, whereas a transfer of CD8+ T-cells impaired the healing process. Our current data are the foundation of two ongoing studies (i) prospective validation of the biomarker CD8+ TEMRA cells in a large clinical (multi-center) trial, and (ii) the pharmacologically blocking the circulating CD8+ TEMRA cells or their cytokines to enhance fracture healing.


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Publications
- Authors:Prates Soares A, Fischer H, Orassi V, Heilnad M, Checa S, Schmidt-Bleek K, Rendenbach C
Journal:Biomed Eng Online Year:2023; Volume:22Issue:(1)
Title:Patients ' perspectives on bone replacement materials in a German university hospital setting - Authors:Garrido CA, Garske DS, Thiele M, Amini S, Real S, Duda GN, Schmidt-Bleek K, Cipitria A
Journal:Biomater Adv Year:2023; Volume:151
Title:Hydrogels with stiffness-degradation spatial patterns control anisotropic 3D cell response - Authors:Prates Soares A, Fischer H, Aydin S, Steffen C, Schmidt-Bleek K, Rendenbach C
Journal:Front Physiol 2023 Year:2023; Volume:14
Title:Uncovering the unique characteristics of the mandible to improve clinical approaches to mandibular regeneration - Authors:Hochmann S, Ou K, Poupardin R, Mittermeir M, Textor M, Ali S, Wolf M, Ellinghaus A, Jacobi D, Elmiger JAJ, Donsante S, Riminucci M, Schäfer R, Kornak U, Klein O, Schallmoser K, Schmidt-Bleek K, Duda GN, Polansky JK, Geissler S, Strunk D
Journal:Sci Transl Med Year:2023; Volume:15Issue:(688)
Title:The enhancer landscape predetermines the skeletal regeneration capacity of stromal cells - Authors:Burkhardt L, Bucher CH, Löffler J, Rinne C, Duda GN, Geissler S, Schulz TJ, Schmidt-Bleek K
Journal:Front Cell Dev Biol Year:2023; Volume:11
Title:The benefits of adipocyte metabolism in bone health and regeneration - Authors:Malhan D, Schmidt-Bleek K, Duda GN, El Khassawna T
Journal:Int J Mol Sci Year:2023; Volume:24Issue:(4)
Title:Landscape of Well-Coordinated Fracture Healing in a Mouse Model Using Molecular and Cellular Analysis - Authors:Duda GN, Geissler S, Checa S, Tsitsilonis S, Petersen A, Schmidt-Bleek K
Journal:Nat Rev Rheumatol Year:2023; Volume:19Issue:(2):Pages:78-95.
Title:The decisive early phase of bone regeneration - Authors:Kopp A, Fischer H, Prates Soares A, Schmidt-Bleek K, Leber CH, Kreiker H, Duda G, Kröger N, van Gaalen K, Hanken H,
Jung O , Smeets R , Heiland M, Rendenbach C
Journal:Acta Biomater Year:2023; Volume:157:Pages:720-733.
Title:Long-term in vivo observations show biocompatibility and performance of ZX00 magnesium screws surface-modified by plasma-electrolytic oxidation in Göttingen miniature pigs - Authors:Malysch T, Reinhold JM, Becker CA, Schmidt-Bleek K, Kleber C
Journal:Immunol Res Year:2022; Volume:71Issue:(2):Pages:164-172.
Title:In vivo immunomodulation of IL6 signaling in a murine multiple trauma model - Authors:Bucher CH, Berkmann JC, Burkhardt LM, Paschke C, Schlundt C, Lang A, Wolter A, Damerau A, Geissler S, Volk HD, Duda GN, Schmidt-Bleek K
Journal:Exp Mol Med Year:2022; Volume:54Issue:(8):Pages:1262-1276.
Title:Local immune cell contributions to fracture healing in aged individuals - A novel role for interleukin 22