title: Injury, inflammation and the emergence of human-specific genes.
abstract: In light of the central role of inflammation in normal wound repair and regeneration, we hypothesize that the preponderance of human-specific genes expressed in human inflammatory cells is commensurate with the genetic versatility of inflammatory response and the emergence of injuries associated with uniquely hominid behaviors, like a bipedal posture and the use of tools, weapons and fire. The hypothesis underscores the need to study human-specific signaling pathways in experimental models of injury and infers that a selection of human-specific genes, driven in part by the response to injury, may have facilitated the emergence of multifunctional genes expressed in other tissues.
authors.affiliation: Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, Burns and Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, San Diego, California.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baird
authors.affiliation: Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, Burns and Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, San Diego, California.
authors.forename: Todd
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Costantini
authors.affiliation: Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, Burns and Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, San Diego, California.
authors.forename: Raul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Coimbra
authors.affiliation: Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, Burns and Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, San Diego, California.
authors.forename: Brian P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Eliceiri
mesh_terms: D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012038:Regeneration / Q000235:genetics; D044968:Regenerative Medicine / Q000639:trends; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology