Survivors of severe infection often exhibit prolonged immune dysfunction, physical and cognitive decline, and significantly elevated risk of mortality. How to improve long-term outcomes of survivors of severe infection is of major clinical significance and represents an important open question. Here, we will explore the long-term impact of shock-like infection, using models of tick-born infection and sepsis, on hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) function by asking: What are the long-term impacts of severe infection on hematopoiesis and HSC function? Are HSCs primed to produce particular lineages? Can we protect HSCs in severe disease to improve outcomes in survivors? How is the bone marrow microenvironment (or niche), where HSCs reside, impacted by severe disease? Sepsis is a severe systemic infection that causes vascular dysfunction and organ failure, and represents a major cause of mortality in hospitals. Despite advances in understanding of sepsis pathophysiology, treatments are limited, and mortality remains high. At the same time, antibiotic resistance, the spread of vector born pathogens, and the lack of vaccines for emerging infections are important factors in the global increase in infectious disease burden. As serious infections continue to emerge and rates of sepsis have increased, so has the number of survivors. Here, we aim to understand the biological impact of severe, acute infection on the function of HSCs and hematopoiesis during recovery, to provide new insight into the decline in health after serious infection. Continuous and balanced blood production relies on HSCs and progenitors and is essential for life. The process of blood production generates cells of the immune system critical for host defense, as well as all blood components necessary for oxygenation (red blood cells) and vascular hemostasis (platelets). HSCs are positioned at the top of the blood system hierarchy, held in reserve, but can be activated by acute inflammation to produce immune cells. What is unknown is how acute inflammatory insults impact stem cell function in the long-term stages of recovery. In addition to immune cells, blood components (RBCs and platelets) play underappreciated roles in host defense and are important for regeneration and function of all tissue systems. Ultimately, we will test strategies to improve the number and function of stem cells in survivors of severe infectious illness.
The goal of our research program is to establish how acute infectious stress, seen in sepsis and shock, impacts blood stem cells in the recovery stage. Survivors of severe infection exhibit a decline in health and increased rates of mortality. Here we pursue studies aimed at targeting the bone marrow and blood stem cells to improve outcomes in patients recovering from serious illness. Defining the mechanisms impairing stem cell function will help improve production of immune cells, platelets and red blood cells, all essential for host health and tissue regeneration.
