Gene profiling in human blood leucocytes during recovery from septic shock

Abstract

To assess blood leucocytes gene profiling during recovery phase of septic shock; to test the relation between encoding gene expression and protein level. Gene expression levels were studied at days 0, 1, 7 and 28 (D0, 1, 7 and 28) on a dedicated microarray of 340 genes involved in inflammatory processes. 16-bed intensive care unit, Lariboisière University hospital. Seventeen septic shock patients enrolled when at least one additional organ dysfunction occurred. Changes over time were compared with D0 via the ratio Dx/D0. The time-related gene expression study showed significant changes in ten genes. Among them, S100A8 and S100A12 had a reduced expression over time compared with D0, whereas CD74's expression increased. The microarray results were validated by RT-qPCR for four genes. The S100A8 plasma levels decrease along recovery in parallel with the gene expression decrease. The CD74 gene expression evolution significantly correlated with HLA-DR monocyte expression. These results are the first description of variations in expression of key inflammatory genes in the course of the septic shock recovery period.