Cell Death Markers in Sepsis

Abstract

Abstract Cell death mechanisms play an important role in the pathogenesis of sepsis. The goal of our study was to understand cell death regulatory mechanisms such as pyroptosis, necroptosis and apoptosis in sepsis. Our preliminary study design included patients diagnosed with sepsis that were treated in clinical settings. Patients diagnosed with sepsis (test) were compared with healthy individuals (control). Cell death-regulating markers were assessed in plasma, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and PBMC cell lysate samples derived from patients (N =8) and healthy controls (N=8). Samples were analyzed by ELISA, flow cytometry and immunoblotting methods. Preliminary flow cytometry evaluation of PBMC samples from patients showed elevated levels of cell death markers when compared to samples from healthy individuals. Results from ELISA experiments showed both plasma and PBMC cell lysate samples from septic patients had an increase in a marker for necroptosis, in comparison with control samples (P < 0.05 and P < 0.1, respectively). Interestingly, test samples showed modulation in a marker for apoptosis and a marker for pyroptosis in comparison with controls (P < 0.05). Preliminary results suggest that there exists distinct cell death mechanisms with respect to the clinical outcomes observed in septic patients.