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Using a Bacterial Pathogen to Probe for Cellular and Organismic-level Host Responses
Published on: February 22, 2019
Systemic and local high mobility group box 1 concentrations during severe infection
Marieke A D van Zoelen1, Pierre-François Laterre, Suzanne Q van Veen
1Center for Infection and Immunity Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. M.A.vanZoelen@amc.uva.nl
Critical Care Medicine
|September 29, 2007
Summary
High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) release kinetics in severe sepsis vary by infection source. HMGB1 concentrations are elevated at the infection site, suggesting localized release in pneumonia and peritonitis.
Area of Science:
- Sepsis pathophysiology
- Immunology
- Molecular biology
Background:
- High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a known late mediator in sepsis.
- Understanding HMGB1 release patterns is crucial for sepsis management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate HMGB1 release in sepsis patients stratified by common infectious sources.
- To quantify HMGB1 concentrations at infection sites in peritonitis and pneumonia.
Main Methods:
- Observational study involving sepsis patients and healthy volunteers.
- Measurement of HMGB1 and cytokine levels in plasma and at infection sites (abdominal fluid, bronchoalveolar lavage).
- Stratification of sepsis patients by infection source: pneumonia, peritonitis, and urinary tract infection.
Main Results:
- Elevated HMGB1 in sepsis due to pneumonia (days 0 and 3) and peritonitis (day 0).
- Delayed HMGB1 elevation in urinary tract infection (day 3).
- HMGB1 concentrations were significantly higher at the infection site (peritonitis, pneumonia) compared to plasma.
Conclusions:
- HMGB1 release kinetics in severe sepsis are dependent on the primary infection source.
- HMGB1 is likely released predominantly at the site of infection in severe cases.
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