Innate response to self-antigen significantly exacerbates burn wound depth.

Suber, Freeman; Carroll, Michael C; Moore, Francis D · Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A · 2007

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

A major component of burn injury is caused by additional local damage from acute inflammation. Using a scald burn model in mice, we find that this part of the injury is dependent on recognition of self-antigen by specific natural IgM, leading to activation of the complement system. We propose that the depth of a burn wound is a sum of the thermal energy applied and of the degree of host inflammatory response.

Medical subject headings