The Research Unit FOR696 was approved on June 14, 2006 (first round), and on December 22, 2009 (second round).
Many thanks to the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft - DFG).

The research unit intents to

find new pathophysiological mechanisms in rheumatoid arthritis by studying the influence of hormones and nerve fibers / neurotransmitters in this disease.
find means to improve mesenchymal stem cell to chondrocyte differentiation by sex hormones.
find neuroendocrine factors relevant to maintain the integrity between tissue borders of the joint.
study hormonal regulation of attachment molecules for the invasive growth of fibroblasts into cartilage.
study integration of cartilage supported by sex hormones and neurotransmitters.
study the role of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone on mesenchymal stem cell to chondrocyte differentiation.
study the role of the sympathetic nervous system on B cells in arthritis.
Please see also our concept of "Cooperative Research Management" (in German)

RA hemiparetic

RA intact

sympathetic ganglion

border cartilage/synovium

aggressive pannus invades cartilage

sympathetic nerve fibers in synovial tissue