Group Leader

PD Dr. Haiko Sprott

Name of the Institution

Department of Rheumatology
and Institute of Physical Medicine

Street

Gloriastrasse 25

City

8091 Zürich

Phone

+41-44-255 30 10

E-mail

haiko.sprott@usz.ch 

Group Members

Dr. Valeriu Toma, Research Fellow, valeriu.toma@usz.ch
Professor or Research Area: Prof. Dr. Steffen Gay, MD, steffen.gay@usz.ch

Main Field(s) of Research, Abstract

Molecular and immunohistochemical studies in blood and peripheral tissues of chronic pain patients (e.g. osteoarthritis) to detect distinct molecules to elucidate the molecular and cellular basis of pain mechanisms in the periphery.

Main Fields of Research, Keywords

pain, molecular biology, osteoarthritis, mRNA, opioid receptors, neuropeptides, serotonin, pain genes

Special Techniques and Equipment

RNA-extraction, reverse transcription, PCR, real-time PCR, cloning, in-situ hybridization, in-situ RT-PCR, substractive hybridization, gene-transfer, animal surgery, light microscopy, ELISA, Western blot. Ultracentrifuge, PCR-cycler, cryostat, automated paraffin-embedding

Education and Training

http://www.rheumaportal.ch/go2/fachwelt/fortbildungskalender/ruzand
http://www.rheumatologie.usz.ch/german/LehreUndForschung/Forschung/ExperimentalRheumatology/default.htm 

Selected Publications

Salemi, S., Aeschlimann, A., Gay, R.E., Michel, B.A., Gay, S., Kaeser, L., and Sprott, H.: (2003) Expression and localization of opioid recepters in muscle satellite cells: no difference between fibromyalgia patients and heatlhy subjects. Arthritis Rheum 48:3291-3293.

Sprott, H., Salemi, S., Gay, R.E., Bradley, L.A., Alarcon, G.S., Oh, S.J., Michel, B.A., and Gay, S.:(2004): Increased DNA-fragmentation and ultrastructural changes in fibromyalgic muscle fibers. Ann. Rheum. Dis. 63:245-251.

Shen, H., Aeschlimann, A., Reisch, N., Gay, R. E., Simmen, B. R., Michel, B. A., Gay, S., Sprott, H. (2005): Kappa and delta opioid receptors are expressed but downregulated in fibroblast-like synoviocytes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Arthritis Rheum 52:1402-10

Salemi, S., Aeschlimann, A., Reisch, N., Jüngel, A., Gay, R. E., Heppner, F. L., Michel, B. A., Gay, S., Sprott, H. (2005): Detection of kappa and delta opioid receptors in skin - outside the nervous system. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 338: 1012-17

Sprott, H. (2006): Peripheral sensitisation in patients with OA and RA. In: Beltrutti D, Varrassi G (eds): 12th International Pain Clinic World Society of Pain Clinicians. Medimond S.r.l. Bologna, 77-81

Reisch, N., Aeschlimann, A., Gay, S., Sprott, H. (2006): The DREAM of pain relief. Curr Rheum Rev 2: 69-82

Funding

Foundation, Companies

URL

http://www.rheumatologie.usz.ch/german/LehreUndForschung/Forschung/PMR+Research+Unit/default.htm 
http://www.rheumatologie.usz.ch/german/UeberUns/Leistungsangebot/Schwerpunkte/Schmerz.htm

Link to "Forschungsdatenbank" of the University and the University Hospital

http://www.research-projects.uzh.ch/a735.htm and
http://intern.info.usz.ch/uszstudienregister/StudienListe.aspx