13 research outputs found
CD40L is selectively expressed on platelets from thrombocytopenic septic patients
Introduction It has been recently hypothesized that septic microangio-
pathy is caused or at least promoted by the interaction between endo-
thelial surface receptor CD40 and its ligand CD40L, expressed by activated
platelets. This interaction produces procoagulative changes in endothelial
cells, endothelial apoptosis, subendothelial matrix exposition and microthrombi formation. Since virtually all septic patients show a certain degree of coagulation abnormalities, we hypothesized that low platelet count is associated with a diff erent degree of CD40L expression and that this could correlate with the severity of disease.
Methods To determine the infl uence of sepsis on levels of platelet-derived
CD40L expression, we performed a prospective observational study in a
polyvalent university hospital ICU. Eighteen consecutively septic patients
were enrolled in the study, independently of the platelet count and the severity of disease (SOFA score). Flow cytometry of fresh blood from septic
patients (n = 18) and age-matched controls (n = 8) was performed for membrane-bound CD40L and CD62P on circulating platelets.
Results Flow cytometry demonstrated low levels of CD62P in controls
while the levels in patients were high. CD40L+ platelets were selectively
found from patients with thrombocytopenia (platelet count ≤60,000/mm3). Furthermore a direct correlation between CD40L expression and the SOFA score was found in patients with sepsis and thrombocytopenia compared to patients with sepsis without thrombocytopenia.
Conclusions These results suggest that CD40L expression on platelets is
somehow related to the degree of thrombocytopenia and possibly can
be a marker of the severity of sepsis. Although the role of endothelial-
derived CD40/platelet-derived CD40L interaction is not fully understood
during sepsis, the expression of CD40L on platelets could be related to
the severity of organ disease due to the possible bursting of endothelial
damage through this pathway. Further investigation is needed to
determine whether platelets CD40L contributes to endothelial and
subsequent organ damage, its role in thrombocytopenia and its correlation with the outcome of sepsis. The microvascular injury seems to be a central event in sepsis, so understanding the mechanisms
underlying its development is crucial for the individuation of new and
specifi c therapeutic strategies
Influence of shear stress and size on viability of endothelial cells exposed to gold nanoparticles
Preliminary Evaluation of Median Lethal Concentrations of Stöber Silica Particles with Various Sizes and Surface Functionalities Towards Fibroblast Cells
Using mind control to modify cue-reactivity in AUD: the impact of mindfulness-based relapse prevention on real-time fMRI neurofeedback to modify cue-reactivity in alcohol use disorder: a randomized controlled trial
Changes in medication use in a cohort of patients with advanced cancer: The international multicentre prospective European Palliative Care Cancer Symptom study
Analysis of DNA-damage response to ionizing radiation in serum-shock synchronized human fibroblasts
Complications of chronic alcoholism that affect critical illness
[An excerpt from the content] The worldwide consumption of alcohol and alcoholism, or alcohol use disorder (defined as a problematic pattern of alcohol use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress by DSM-5) [1], are increasing [2]. This is particularly so among women as the social stigma surrounding drinking declines and alcohol is more readily accessible. Women are less likely to be diagnosed early and more likely to relapse after treatment. Alcoholism is estimated to cause approximately 2.5 million global deaths annually (4 % of all-cause mortality) which mostly ensue from liver disease [2]. Approximately 90 % of alcoholics develop fatty liver, 25 % develop alcoholic hepatitis, 15 % develop cirrhosis and 10 % develop hepatocellular carcinoma [3, 4]. Alcoholic liver disease (ALD), especially cirrhosis, also accounts for increasing numbers of hospital admissions across the world, including ICU admissions [5, 6]. Each year about 26,000 patients with cirrh ..