Key activities in the Center for Experimental Research in the Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich

The major task of the Center is to investigate the molecular and cellular basis of joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis by searching for the function of novel genes and their signaling pathways («Functional Genomics»).

Somatic gene transfer is applied to inhibit the synovial-cell mediated cartilage destruction both in vitro and in vivo in the SCID mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis by using anti-sense constructs, ribozymes, siRHA and antagomirs to identify specific novel targets for therapy. The models are also used to evaluate the effect of new drugs.

In close collaboration with the Department of Cardiology at the University Hospital of Zurich, we study the endothelial dysfunction in both rheumatic as well as cardiovascular patients. Novel approaches for analysing fresh thrombi retrieved from myocardial infarcted patients explore the role of inflammatory processes in the acute coronary syndrome.

Molecular mechanisms of fibrosis in progressive systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) and in pulmonary hypertension are another focus of interest. Hypoxia-induced pathways and growth factors are studied in relation to impaired angiogenesis and the excessive production of extracellular matrix.

Epigenetic modifications in rheumatic and cardiovascular diseases, including acetylation, methylation, ubiquitination and microRNA to regulate the expression of genes are most recently in the center of our interest.

Currently, the focus of the Pain Research Group lies in investigating molecular mechanisms involved in the development of chronic pain conditions, as well as their implications for new treatment strategies.

Universitätsklinik Zürich

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