Research projects

Blood cell physics

About

Status:

Completed

Principal investigator:

Country:

Germany

Study start:

Not available

Completion (planned):

Not available

Last update:

2025-08-07

Research types:

Clinical research

Research areas:

Hemic and lymphatic system dysfunction, Immune system dysfunction, Cardiovascular system dysfunction

Interventions:

Not applicable

Priv. Sector Partner:

Not available

Sponsors:

Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR)

Links

Project website

Project description

The successful treatment attempt of a glaucoma patient with Long COVID with an infusion of an aptamer (BC 007) provides the basis for the assumption that autoantibodies against G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR-AAb) may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of Long COVID. BC007 binds and neutralises the SARS-CoV-2-triggered formation of GPCR-AAb, which has been observed in the serum of patients with Long COVID and shows a relationship to microcirculation in a disease model (glaucoma).

Based on this clinical observation, the sub-project will expand on the clinical cohort of the previous reCOVer study by correlating microcirculatory properties with blood rheology and single-cell mechanics of the blood cells. Furthermore, a rapid test for the presence of GPCR-AAbs in patient serum will be developed, and possible changes at the endothelial level caused by the GPCR-AAb will be molecularly investigated.

Description adapted from project website: see link above.

Patient cohort

Not available.

Patients enrolled: Not available

Age group: Not available

Research areas

9

Research types

1

Research networks

0

Working groups

1

People

1

Publications

0

Organisations

1

Research areas

Autoimmune disorders are characterised by the production of antibodies that react with host tissues or immune effector cells that are autoreactive to endogenous peptides.

Research projects:

Endothelial dysfunction

The endothelium maintains an adequate homeostasis via its capacity to produce protective molecules. When this function is lost or damaged, endothelial dysfunction occurs, leading to a reduction in the capacity to maintain homeostasis and the development of pathological inflammatory processes and vascular disease.

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Hemic and lymphatic system dysfunction

Hemic diseases include disorders involving the formed elements (e.g., erythrocyte aggregation, intravascular) and chemical components (e.g. blood protein disorders). Lymphatic diseases include disorders relating to lymph, lymph nodes, and lymphocytes.

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Blood cell alterations

Changes in the appearance and functionality of blood cells. Includes alterations to the morphology as well as deformability of red blood cells.

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Antibodies that react with self-antigens (autoantigens) of the organism that produced them.

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Immune system dysfunction

Diseases of the immune system are disorders caused by abnormal or absent immunologic mechanisms, whether humoral, cell-mediated, or both.

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Cardiovascular system dysfunction

Cardiovascular diseases describe pathological conditions involving the cardiovascular system, including the heart, blood vessels or the pericardium.

Research projects:

G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) autoantibodies

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of cell surface receptors involved in signal transduction. GPCR-autoantibodies are functional autoantibodies that bind to GPCR and activate second-messenger cascades in an uncontrolled manner.

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Vascular dysfunction

Vascular dysfunction, which includes endothelial dysfunction, microvascular dysfunction, and stiffening of large arteries, results when the homeostatic function of relaxation and contraction of blood vessels is affected.

Research projects: