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Lymphocyte Apoptosis, Caspase Activation and Inflammatory Response in Septic Shock

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Abstract

Background:

We examined lymphocyte apoptosis, activity of caspases-1, -3, -8 and -9 and the relationship between those two events and inflammation response in septic shock.

Materials and Methods:

Blood samples were obtained within 24 h after diagnosis of septic shock from 16 patients to measure apoptosis, caspases-3, -8, -9 expression, changes in mitochondrial transmembrane potential and expression of Fas/FasL system of peripheral blood monuclear cells (PBMCs). Moreover, serum levels of caspase-1 and blood concentrations of IL-6, IL-12, IL-15 and IL-18 were assessed.

Results:

PBMCs from patients with septic shock compared to control individuals exhibited a greatly increased frequency of apoptosis (39.10 ± 7.33% vs 4.19 ± 1.13%; p < 0.001), an over expression of caspases-3, -8, and -9 (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, p < 0.001 for caspases-3, -8 and -9, respectively) as well as of Fas/FasL system (p < 0.05) and significant changes in mitochondrial transmembrane potential. Blood levels of caspase-1 (101.5 ± 18.2 pg/ml vs 9.09 ± 2.7 pg/ml, p < 0.001) and of IL-6, IL-12, IL-15 and IL-18 were significantly higher in septic patients vs control (p < 0.0001, p < 0.05, p < 0.05 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Furthermore, a correlation linking IL-6 blood level with both the apoptotic rate (r2 = 0.75; p = 0.001) and caspase-9 expression (r2 = 0.92; p = 0.0001) of PBMCs was observed.

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Correspondence to M. Marandola.

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Delogu, G., Famularo, G., Tellan, G. et al. Lymphocyte Apoptosis, Caspase Activation and Inflammatory Response in Septic Shock. Infection 36, 485–487 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-008-7070-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-008-7070-y

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