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Updated: Aug 30, 2026

Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death
09:18

Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death

Published on: December 27, 2016

Association of proinflammatory molecules with apoptotic markers and survival in critically ill multiple organ

Elizabeth D E Papathanassoglou1, Jan A Movnihan, Ourania Dafni

  • 1University of Athens, School of Nursing, Papadiamantopoulou 123, Athens 11527, Greece. elipapa@nurs.uoa.gr

Biological Research for Nursing
|October 9, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Apoptosis, involving Fas and Fas ligand (FasL), is linked to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). These factors, along with nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and cortisol, correlate with MODS severity and patient survival.

Area of Science:

  • Critical care medicine
  • Immunology
  • Cellular biology

Background:

  • Apoptosis is increasingly recognized as a key process in the pathophysiology of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS).
  • The role of specific apoptotic markers like Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) in relation to inflammatory mediators and clinical outcomes in MODS requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the correlation between nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and cortisol levels with Fas and FasL expression on peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
  • To determine if Fas and FasL mediate the association between these inflammatory markers and the severity of MODS.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 35 critically ill adult patients with MODS was prospectively studied for up to 14 days.
  • Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed for Fas and FasL expression.
  • Levels of nitrate (a marker of NO), IL-6, TNF-alpha, and cortisol were measured and compared to non-MODS controls.

Main Results:

  • MODS patients exhibited elevated levels of Fas, FasL, nitrate, cortisol, and IL-6 compared to controls.
  • Nitrate and cortisol levels showed a positive correlation with Fas expression.
  • Fas and FasL were independently associated with MODS severity and patient survival, even after accounting for other inflammatory factors.

Conclusions:

  • Fas and FasL expression on peripheral blood mononuclear cells are significant independent predictors of severity and survival in MODS.
  • While inflammatory molecules like NO, IL-6, and cortisol correlate with Fas/FasL and MODS severity, they only partially mediate the relationship between apoptosis and clinical outcomes.

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