Endothelial dysfunction: a therapeutic target in bacterial sepsis? 2021

Jean-Louis Vincent, and Can Ince, and Peter Pickkers
Dept of Intensive Care, Erasme Hospital, Université Libre De Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.

Endothelial cells maintain vascular integrity, tone, and patency and have important roles in hemostasis and inflammatory responses. Although some degree of endothelial dysfunction with increased vascular permeability may be necessary to control local infection, excessive dysfunction plays a central role in the pathogenesis of sepsis-related organ dysfunction and failure as it results in dysregulated inflammation, vascular leakage, and abnormal coagulation. The vascular endothelium has thus been proposed as a potential target for therapeutic intervention in patients with sepsis. Different mechanisms underlying sepsis-related dysfunction of the vascular endothelium are discussed, including glycocalyx shedding, nitrosative stress, and coagulation factors. Potential therapeutic implications of each mechanism are mentioned. Multiple targets to protect or restore endothelial function have been suggested, but endothelium-driven treatments remain a future potential at present. As some endothelial dysfunction and permeability may be necessary to remove infection and repair damaged tissue, targeting the endothelium may be a particular challenge. Ideally, therapies should be guided by biomarkers related to that specific pathway to ensure they are given only to patients most likely to respond. This enrichment based on biological plausibility and theragnostics will increase the likelihood of a beneficial response in individual patients and enable more personalized treatment.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D004730 Endothelium, Vascular Single pavement layer of cells which line the luminal surface of the entire vascular system and regulate the transport of macromolecules and blood components. Capillary Endothelium,Vascular Endothelium,Capillary Endotheliums,Endothelium, Capillary,Endotheliums, Capillary,Endotheliums, Vascular,Vascular Endotheliums
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014652 Vascular Diseases Pathological processes involving any of the BLOOD VESSELS in the cardiac or peripheral circulation. They include diseases of ARTERIES; VEINS; and rest of the vasculature system in the body. Disease, Vascular,Diseases, Vascular,Vascular Disease
D042783 Endothelial Cells Highly specialized EPITHELIAL CELLS that line the HEART; BLOOD VESSELS; and lymph vessels, forming the ENDOTHELIUM. They are polygonal in shape and joined together by TIGHT JUNCTIONS. The tight junctions allow for variable permeability to specific macromolecules that are transported across the endothelial layer. Capillary Endothelial Cells,Lymphatic Endothelial Cells,Vascular Endothelial Cells,Capillary Endothelial Cell,Cell, Capillary Endothelial,Cell, Endothelial,Cell, Lymphatic Endothelial,Cell, Vascular Endothelial,Cells, Capillary Endothelial,Cells, Endothelial,Cells, Lymphatic Endothelial,Cells, Vascular Endothelial,Endothelial Cell,Endothelial Cell, Capillary,Endothelial Cell, Lymphatic,Endothelial Cell, Vascular,Endothelial Cells, Capillary,Endothelial Cells, Lymphatic,Endothelial Cells, Vascular,Lymphatic Endothelial Cell,Vascular Endothelial Cell
D018805 Sepsis Systemic inflammatory response syndrome with a proven or suspected infectious etiology. When sepsis is associated with organ dysfunction distant from the site of infection, it is called severe sepsis. When sepsis is accompanied by HYPOTENSION despite adequate fluid infusion, it is called SEPTIC SHOCK. Bloodstream Infection,Pyaemia,Pyemia,Pyohemia,Blood Poisoning,Poisoning, Blood,Septicemia,Severe Sepsis,Blood Poisonings,Bloodstream Infections,Infection, Bloodstream,Poisonings, Blood,Pyaemias,Pyemias,Pyohemias,Sepsis, Severe,Septicemias
D019276 Glycocalyx The carbohydrate-rich zone on the cell surface. This zone can be visualized by a variety of stains as well as by its affinity for lectins. Although most of the carbohydrate is attached to intrinsic plasma membrane molecules, the glycocalyx usually also contains both glycoproteins and proteoglycans that have been secreted into the extracellular space and then adsorbed onto the cell surface. (Alberts et al., Molecular Biology of the Cell, 3d ed, p502) Cell Coat,Glycocalix,Cell Coats,Coat, Cell,Coats, Cell

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