Gene Expression Changes in Severe Sepsis
Author Information
Author(s): Weber Stefan U, Schewe Jens-Christian, Lehmann Lutz E, Müller Stefan, Book Malte, Klaschik Sven, Hoeft Andreas, Stüber Frank
Primary Institution: University Bonn Medical Center
Hypothesis
Diverse members of the Bcl-2 family underlie transcriptional regulation in humans during sepsis.
Conclusion
In early severe sepsis, a gene expression pattern with induction of pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members and downregulation of anti-apoptotic proteins was observed.
Supporting Evidence
- Patients with severe sepsis showed increased phosphatidylserine externalisation and caspase-3 activation.
- Bim expression was upregulated 51.6-fold compared to healthy controls.
- Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl were downregulated in severe sepsis.
- 8 out of 16 patients in the sepsis group died during the ICU stay.
Takeaway
In patients with severe sepsis, certain genes that help cells die are turned on a lot more, while the genes that help cells live are turned down.
Methodology
This was a prospective case-control study involving blood samples from patients with severe sepsis and control groups, analyzed for gene expression and apoptosis markers.
Limitations
The study did not analyze the activity of relevant transcription factors and post-transcriptional regulation.
Participant Demographics
16 patients with severe sepsis (11 males, 5 females) and 10 critically ill non-septic patients (8 males, 2 females), all Caucasian.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website