First evidence that neutrophil behavior damages cardiovascular cells

Scientists led by Dr.

This study provides important information that may lead to new treatments to minimize the consequences of myocardial infarction

Neutrophils are immune cells that make up the body's first line of defense, but they can also damage healthy cells, including those in the cardiovascular system

Still, Crainiciuc points out that protecting the cardiovascular system simply by eliminating neutrophils is not possible, as that would "make the body less resistant to any pathogen that threatens it

To address this question, the authors sought to identify the specific types of neutrophils that cause vascular damage

Scientists have designed a highly novel computational system that can analyze the behavior of cells in blood vessels by simply measuring changes in their size, shape and movement

Molecules of Fgr

Combining this computational system with extensive genetic analysis in animal models, the authors were able to identify the molecules responsible for harmful neutrophil behavior

The team found that a single molecule, Fgr, was responsible for this pathological behavior

Scientists believe the study not only marks an advance in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, but also represents a major advance in methods for analyzing immune cells

Nonetheless, he added, "Our model is unique in that it allows cells to be identified from their genetic profile rather than from their activity in disease

"Key to this approach is the ability of neutrophils to change their shape, activity and ability to migrate within seconds

To extract the full potential of these images, the research team collaborated with engineers from Carlos III University of Madrid, who developed new computer vision techniques for measuring living tissue

The research also required considerable effort to develop the computational power needed to systematically combine and compare huge datasets from thousands of cells

The authors hope that the new method will have applications in other fields of science

Georgiana Crainiciuc, Miguel Palomino-Segura, Miguel Molina-Moreno, Jon Sicilia, David G.