The Role of Angiopoietin, Tie-2, and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in Sepsis-Induced Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS)

Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS) frequently leads to death in patients with sepsis. Our previous work has demonstrated that endothelial injury is closely associated with MODS development and mortality in septic patients. The sepsis-induced damage of endothelial cell membrane gives rise to increased capillary permeability. Evidence suggests that increased capillary permeability in patients with sepsis was associated with higher incidence of MODS and death during the ICU stay than those with decreased permeability. Angiopoietin (Ang) system is the key mediator for maintaining capillary permeability. Ang-2 triggers an inflammatory response and inducing permeability by activating the endothelium. In contrast, Ang-1 is anti-inflammatory, can inhibit adhesion molecule expression and attenuate permeability increase in different stimuli. The disrupted angiopoietin system has been reported in patients with sepsis, but the association between angiotension and MODS in septic patients has not been well addressed.

This study is designated to determine serum concentrations of Ang-1, Ang-2, Ang-1/Ang-2 ratio, and Tie-2 in patients with sepsis-induced MODS and to investigate the association among increased permeability, inflammatory mediators,autonomic dysfunction, and these serum mediators in development of organ failure. In addition, the study will incubate endothelial cells with septic patients' serum or tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alfa, and determine the effects of ang-1 administration and blockade of ang-2 on disruption of endothelial cell structure, permeability increase, and expression of adhesion molecules. The study will also determine the signaling pathways and altered NF-kB dimmer composition that is responsible for the inhibitory effect for ang-1 administration on TNF-alfa-induced intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 expression on endothelial surface.