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The immune response: targets for the treatment of severe sepsis

Aline M Bernard1, Gordon R Bernard

  • 1Division of Critical Care, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 13121 E 17th Avenue, MS 8414, Aurora, CO 80045-2535, USA ; Division of Pediatric Critical Care, Children's Hospital Colorado, 13123 East 16th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.

International Journal of Inflammation
|December 20, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Severe sepsis involves extreme inflammation and coagulation, leading to immune paralysis. This review explores therapies targeting inflammation, immune response modulation, and coagulation to improve sepsis treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Critical care medicine
  • Immunology
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Severe sepsis presents a complex interplay of systemic inflammation and coagulation activation.
  • This often results in a paradoxical state of immune suppression, hindering effective host defense.
  • The coagulation-inflammation cycle is a critical factor in sepsis pathophysiology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current and potential therapies for severe sepsis.
  • To explore strategies for modulating the inflammatory and immune responses.
  • To examine approaches for managing the coagulation cascade in sepsis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of clinical and preclinical studies on sepsis therapies.
  • Analysis of therapeutic targets within the inflammatory and coagulation pathways.
  • Discussion of immunomodulatory strategies, both stimulatory and suppressive.

Main Results:

  • Multiple therapeutic targets exist along the inflammatory cascade.
  • Modulating the host immune response offers potential treatment avenues.
  • Controlling the hypercoagulable state is crucial for managing sepsis.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting inflammation, immune response, and coagulation offers multifaceted therapeutic opportunities.
  • Further research is needed to optimize sepsis treatment strategies.
  • Developing effective therapies requires a comprehensive understanding of the coagulation-inflammation cycle.

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