The use of innate defence regulator peptides as novel therapeutics for hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in the newborn

Purpose and goal

Lack of oxygen (hypoxia-ischemia) and inflammation are common causes of brain damage. This can lead to permanent neurological damage and premature infants are the most vulnerable. There is currently no pharmacological treatment for this condition. Our research goals for this project are to establish an animal model that is clinically relevant, using the model to examine the underlying mechanism that leads to damage in the immature brain, and finally testing novel drugs as neuroprotective treatments.

Expected results and effects

We have successfully generated an animal model that combines infection with asphyxiation, which more closely mimic the clinical situation at the hospitals when compared to currently available animal models. We fully characterized this model in terms of the inflammation status of the animals upon the infection and the degree of brain damage. We found that antibiotics to the bacteria may be protective to prevent brain damage. Our model will be useful for us and other researchers to test neuroprotective drugs as it is more clinically relevant.

Planned approach and implementation

A majority of the work was performed in Dr. Carina Mallard´s laboratory at the University of Gothenburg (Sweden). Dr. Ofer Levy (Harvard Medical School, USA) hosted me for a 5-month visit to exchange expertise and knowledge. This project brought together expertise from the research groups specializing in neonatal neuroimmunology, neonatal infection and immunity, and innate immunology. An extension of this project and the collaboration will continue at the University of British Columbia (Canada) where I aim to become an independent researcher.