Biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction predict sepsis mortality in young infants: a matched case-control study

Angiogenesis-associated pathways play critical roles in neonatal sepsis outcomes

Neonatal sepsis is a major cause of childhood mortality. Limited diagnostic tools and mechanistic insights have hampered our abilities to develop prophylactic or therapeutic interventions. Biomarkers in human neonatal sepsis have been repeatedly identified as associated with dysregulation of angiopoietin signaling and altered arachidonic acid metabolism. We here provide the mechanistic evidence in support of the relevance for these observations. Angiopoetin-1 (Ang-1), which promotes vascular integrity, was decreased in blood plasma of human and murine septic newborns. In preclinical models, administration of Ang-1 provided prophylactic protection from septic death. Arachidonic acid metabolism appears to be functionally connected to Ang-1 via reactive oxygen species (ROS) with a direct role of nitric oxide (NO). Strengthening this intersection via oral administration of arachidonic acid and/or the NO donor L-arginine provided prophylactic as well as therapeutic protection from septic death while also increasing plasma Ang-1 levels among septic newborns. Our data highlight that targeting angiogenesis-associated pathways with interventions that increase Ang-1 activity directly or indirectly through ROS/eNOS provide promising avenues to prevent and/or treat severe neonatal sepsis.

Platelet‑related parameters as potential biomarkers for the prognosis of sepsis

Early diagnosis and accurate prognosis are key for reducing the fatality rate and medical expenses associated with sepsis. Platelets are involved in the delayed tissue injury that occurs during sepsis. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the usefulness of platelets and associated parameters as prognostic markers of sepsis. The present study collected patient samples based on The Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock criteria. Platelet-associated parameters were detected by flow cytometry and their correlation with clinical scores and prognoses was analyzed. Considering the association between endothelial cells and platelet activation, levels of plasma tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) were analyzed by ELISA. The results showed significant differences in platelet P-selectin expression and phosphatidylserine exposure, mitochondrial membrane potential (Mmp)-Index values and plasma levels of TWEAK and Ang-2 between patients and healthy controls (P<0.05). Except for P-selectin and TWEAK levels, all parameters were correlated with clinical scores (acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II and sequential/sepsis-related organ failure assessment). Additionally, platelet Mmp-Index between admission and the end of therapy was only different in non-survivors (P<0.001) and platelet phosphatidylserine exposure was significantly lower in survivors (P=0.006). Therefore, of the parameters tested, the dynamic monitoring of phosphatidylserine exposure, platelet Mmp-Index values and plasma Ang-2 levels had the most potential for the assessment of disease severity and clinical outcomes.

The Endothelial Glycocalyx and Neonatal Sepsis

Sepsis carries a substantial risk of morbidity and mortality in newborns, especially preterm-born neonates. Endothelial glycocalyx (eGC) is a carbohydrate-rich layer lining the vascular endothelium, with important vascular barrier function and cell adhesion properties, serving also as a mechano-sensor for blood flow. eGC shedding is recognized as a fundamental pathophysiological process generating microvascular dysfunction, which in turn contributes to multiple organ failure and death in sepsis. Although the disruption of eGC and its consequences have been investigated intensively in the adult population, its composition, development, and potential mechanisms of action are still poorly studied during the neonatal period, and more specifically, in neonatal sepsis. Further knowledge on this topic may provide a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms that guide the sepsis pathology during the neonatal period, and would increase the usefulness of endothelial glycocalyx dysfunction as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker. We reviewed several components of the eGC that help to deeply understand the mechanisms involved in the eGC disruption during the neonatal period. In addition, we evaluated the potential of eGC components as biomarkers and future targets to develop therapeutic strategies for neonatal sepsis.

Pathophysiology of Sepsis and Genesis of Septic Shock: The Critical Role of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs)

The treatment of sepsis and septic shock remains a major public health issue due to the associated morbidity and mortality. Despite an improvement in the understanding of the physiological and pathological mechanisms underlying its genesis and a growing number of studies exploring an even higher range of targeted therapies, no significant clinical progress has emerged in the past decade. In this context, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) appear more and more as an attractive approach for cell therapy both in experimental and clinical models. Pre-clinical data suggest a cornerstone role of these cells and their secretome in the control of the host immune response. Host-derived factors released from infected cells (i.e., alarmins, HMGB1, ATP, DNA) as well as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (e.g., LPS, peptidoglycans) can activate MSCs located in the parenchyma and around vessels to upregulate the expression of cytokines/chemokines and growth factors that influence, respectively, immune cell recruitment and stem cell mobilization. However, the way in which MSCs exert their beneficial effects in terms of survival and control of inflammation in septic states remains unclear. This review presents the interactions identified between MSCs and mediators of immunity and tissue repair in sepsis. We also propose paradigms related to the plausible roles of MSCs in the process of sepsis and septic shock. Finally, we offer a presentation of experimental and clinical studies and open the way to innovative avenues of research involving MSCs from a prognostic, diagnostic, and therapeutic point of view in sepsis.

Proinflammatory Endothelial Phenotype in Very Preterm Infants: A Pilot Study

Very preterm infants are exposed to prenatal inflammatory processes and early postnatal hemodynamic and respiratory complications, but limited data are available about the endothelial effect of these conditions. The present pilot study investigates the perinatal endothelial phenotype in very preterm infants (VPIs) and explores its predictive value on neonatal mortality and hemodynamic and respiratory complications. Angiopoietin 1 (Ang-1), Ang-2, E-selectin, vascular adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), tissue factor (TF), and endothelin 1 (ET-1) concentrations were tested in first (T1), 3rd (T2), and 7–10th (T3) day of life in 20 VPIs using Luminex technology and compared with 14 healthy full-term infants (FTIs). Compared to FTIs, VPIs had lower Ang-1 at T1 and T2; higher Ang-2 at T1, T2, and T3; higher Ang-2/Ang-1 ratio at T1, T2, and T3; lower E-selectin at T1, T2, and T3; higher VCAM-1 at T1; higher TF at T2. No differences in concentrations were found in neonatal deaths. VPIs with hemodynamic or respiratory complications had higher Ang-2 at T3. Perinatal low Ang-1 and high Ang-2 associated with high VCAM-1 and TF in VPIs suggest a proinflammatory endothelial phenotype, resulting from the synergy of a pathological prenatal inheritance and a premature extrauterine transition.

Candidate Biomarkers for the Detection of Serious Infections in Children: A Prospective Clinical Study

Serious bacterial infections (SBI) in children are associated with considerable morbidity and mortality, and their early identification remains challenging. The role of laboratory tests in this setting is still debated, and new biomarkers are needed. This prospective, observational, single-center study aims to evaluate the diagnostic role of blood biomarkers in detecting SBI in children presenting with signs of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). A panel of biomarkers was performed, including C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), white blood cell count (WBC), absolute neutrophil count (ANC), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, human terminal complement complex (C5b-9), Plasmalemma-Vesicle-associated protein 1 (PV-1), Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and Phospholipase A2 (PLA2). Among 103 patients (median age 2.9 years, 60% males), 39 had a diagnosis of SBI (38%). Significant predictors of SBI were CRP (p = 0.001) and ICAM-1 (p = 0.043). WBC (p = 0.035), ANC (p = 0.012) and ANC/WBC ratio (p = 0.015) were also significantly associated with SBI in children without pre-existing neutropenia. ROC curves, however, revealed suboptimal performance for all variables. Nevertheless, a model that combined CRP and ANC/WBC ratio had more in-depth diagnostic accuracy than either of the two variables. Overall, this study confirms the limited usefulness of blood biomarkers for the early diagnosis of SBI. WBC, ANC, ANC/WBC ratio, CRP, and ICAM-1 showed the best, albeit moderate, diagnostic accuracy.

Angiopoietin-1 protects against endotoxin-induced neonatal lung injury and alveolar simplification in mice

BACKGROUND

Sepsis in premature newborns is a risk factor for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), but underlying mechanisms of lung injury remain unclear. Aberrant expression of endothelial cell (EC) angiopoietin 2 (ANGPT2) disrupts angiopoietin 1 (ANGPT1)/TIE2-mediated endothelial quiescence, and is implicated in sepsis-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome in adults. We hypothesized that recombinant ANGPT1 will mitigate sepsis-induced ANGPT2 expression, inflammation, acute lung injury (ALI), and alveolar remodeling in the saccular lung.

METHODS

Effects of recombinant ANGPT1 on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endothelial inflammation were evaluated in human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMEC). ALI and long-term alveolar remodeling were assessed in newborn mice exposed to intraperitoneal LPS and recombinant ANGPT1 pretreatment.

RESULTS

LPS dephosphorylated EC TIE2 in association with increased ANGPT2 in vivo and in vitro. ANGPT1 suppressed LPS and ANGPT2-induced EC inflammation in HPMEC. Neonatal mice treated with LPS had increased lung cytokine expression, neutrophilic influx, and cellular apoptosis. ANGPT1 pre-treatment suppressed LPS-induced lung Toll-like receptor signaling, inflammation, and ALI. LPS-induced acute increases in metalloproteinase 9 expression and elastic fiber breaks, as well as a long-term decrease in radial alveolar counts, were mitigated by ANGPT1.

CONCLUSIONS

In an experimental model of sepsis-induced BPD, ANGPT1 preserved endothelial quiescence, inhibited ALI, and suppressed alveolar simplification.

IMPACT

Key message: Angiopoietin 1 inhibits LPS-induced neonatal lung injury and alveolar remodeling. Additions to existing literature: Demonstrates dysregulation of angiopoietin-TIE2 axis is important for sepsis- induced acute lung injury and alveolar simplification in experimental BPD. Establishes recombinant Angiopoietin 1 as an anti-inflammatory therapy in BPD.

IMPACT

Angiopoietin 1-based interventions may represent novel therapies for mitigating sepsis-induced lung injury and BPD in premature infants.

Health and cognition among adults with and without Traumatic Brain Injury: A matched case-control study

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate associations between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and presence of health conditions, and to compare associations of health and cognition between TBI cases and controls.

METHODS

This matched case-control study used data from the TBI Model Systems National Database (TBI cases) and Midlife in the United States II and Refresher studies (controls).  248 TBI cases were age-, sex-, race-, and education-matched without replacement to three controls. Cases and controls were compared on prevalence of 18 self-reported conditions, self-rated health, composite scores from the Brief Test of Adult Cognition by Telephone.

RESULTS

The following conditions were significantly more prevalent among TBI cases versus controls: anxiety/depression (OR = 3.12, 95% CI: 2.20, 4.43, p < .001), chronic sleeping problems (OR = 2.76, 95% CI: 1.86, 4.10, p < .001), headache/migraine (OR = 2.61, 95% CI: 1.50, 4.54, p = .0007), and stroke (OR = 6.42, 95% CI: 2.93, 14.10, p < .001). The relationship between self-rated health and cognition significantly varied by TBI (p_interaction = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

Individuals with TBI have greater odds of selected neurobehavioral conditions compared to their demographically similar uninjured peers. Among persons with TBI there was a stronger association between poorer self-rated health and cognition than controls. TBI is increasingly conceptualized as a chronic disease; current findings suggest post-TBI health management requires cognitive supports.

Colivelin, a synthetic derivative of humanin, ameliorates endothelial injury and glycocalyx shedding after sepsis in mice

Endothelial dysfunction plays a central role in the pathogenesis of sepsis-mediated multiple organ failure. Several clinical and experimental studies have suggested that the glycocalyx is an early target of endothelial injury during an infection. Colivelin, a synthetic derivative of the mitochondrial peptide humanin, has displayed cytoprotective effects in oxidative conditions. In the current study, we aimed to determine the potential therapeutic effects of colivelin in endothelial dysfunction and outcomes of sepsis in vivo. Male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to a clinically relevant model of polymicrobial sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) and were treated with vehicle or colivelin (100-200 µg/kg) intraperitoneally at 1 h after CLP. We observed that vehicle-treated mice had early elevation of plasma levels of the adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and P-selectin, the angiogenetic factor endoglin and the glycocalyx syndecan-1 at 6 h after CLP when compared to control mice, while levels of angiopoietin-2, a mediator of microvascular disintegration, and the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9, an enzyme implicated in clearance of endotoxins, raised at 18 h after CLP. The early elevation of these endothelial and glycocalyx damage biomarkers coincided with lung histological injury and neutrophil inflammation in lung, liver, and kidneys. At transmission electron microscopy analysis, thoracic aortas of septic mice showed increased glycocalyx breakdown and shedding, and damaged mitochondria in endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Treatment with colivelin ameliorated lung architecture, reduced organ neutrophil infiltration, and attenuated plasma levels of syndecan-1, tumor necrosis factor-α, macrophage inflammatory protein-1α and interleukin-10. These therapeutic effects of colivelin were associated with amelioration of glycocalyx density and mitochondrial structure in the aorta. At molecular analysis, colivelin treatment was associated with inhibition of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 and activation of the AMP-activated protein kinase in the aorta and lung. In long-term outcomes studies up to 7 days, co-treatment of colivelin with antimicrobial agents significantly reduced the disease severity score when compared to treatment with antibiotics alone. In conclusion, our data support that damage of the glycocalyx is an early pathogenetic event during sepsis and that colivelin may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of sepsis-associated endothelial dysfunction.

Endothelial dysfunction in preterm infants: The hidden legacy of uteroplacental pathologies

Millions of infants are born prematurely every year worldwide. Prematurity, particularly at lower gestational ages, is associated with high mortality and morbidity and is a significant global health burden. Pregnancy complications and preterm birth syndrome strongly impact neonatal clinical phenotypes and outcomes. The vascular endothelium is a pivotal regulator of fetal growth and development. In recent years, the key role of uteroplacental pathologies impairing endothelial homeostasis is emerging. Conditions leading to very and extremely preterm birth can be classified into two main pathophysiological patterns or endotypes: infection/inflammation and dysfunctional placentation. The first is frequently related to chorioamnionitis, whereas the second is commonly associated with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and fetal growth restriction. The nature, timing, and extent of prenatal noxa may alter fetal and neonatal endothelial phenotype and functions. Changes in the luminal surface, oxidative stress, growth factors imbalance, and dysregulation of permeability and vascular tone are the leading causes of endothelial dysfunction in preterm infants. However, the available evidence regarding endothelial physiology and damage is limited in neonates compared to adults. Herein, we discuss the current knowledge on endothelial dysfunction in the infectious/inflammatory and dysfunctional placentation endotypes of prematurity, summarizing their molecular features, available biomarkers, and clinical impact. Furthermore, knowledge gaps, shadows, and future research perspectives are highlighted.

Diagnosing capillary leak in critically ill patients: development of an innovative scoring instrument for non-invasive detection

BACKGROUND

The concomitant occurrence of the symptoms intravascular hypovolemia, peripheral edema and hemodynamic instability is typically named Capillary Leak Syndrome (CLS) and often occurs in surgical critical ill patients. However, neither a unitary definition nor standardized diagnostic criteria exist so far. We aimed to investigate common characteristics of this phenomenon with a subsequent scoring system, determining whether CLS contributes to mortality.

METHODS

We conducted this single-center, observational, multidisciplinary, prospective trial in two separately run surgical ICUs of a tertiary academic medical center. 200 surgical patients admitted to the ICU and 30 healthy volunteers were included. Patients were clinically diagnosed as CLS or No-CLS group (each N = 100) according to the grade of edema, intravascular hypovolemia, hemodynamic instability, and positive fluid balance by two independent attending physicians with > 10 years of experience in ICU. We performed daily measurements with non-invasive body impedance electrical analysis, ultrasound and analysis of serum biomarkers to generate objective diagnostic criteria. Receiver operating characteristics were used, while we developed machine learning models to increase diagnostic specifications for our scoring model.

RESULTS

The 30-day mortility was increased among CLS patients (12 vs. 1%, P = 0.002), while showing higher SOFA-scores. Extracellular water was increased in patients with CLS with higher echogenicity of subcutaneous tissue [29(24-31) vs. 19(16-21), P < 0.001]. Biomarkers showed characteristic alterations, especially with an increased angiopoietin-2 concentration in CLS [9.9(6.2-17.3) vs. 3.7(2.6-5.6)ng/mL, P < 0.001]. We developed a score using seven parameters (echogenicity, SOFA-score, angiopoietin-2, syndecan-1, ICAM-1, lactate and interleukin-6). A Random Forest prediction model boosted its diagnostic characteristics (AUC 0.963, P < 0.001), while a two-parameter decision tree model showed good specifications (AUC 0.865).

CONCLUSIONS

Diagnosis of CLS in critically ill patients is feasible by objective, non-invasive parameters using the CLS-Score. A simplified two-parameter diagnostic approach can enhance clinical utility. CLS contributes to mortality and should, therefore, classified as an independent entity.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

German Clinical Trials Registry (DRKS No. 00012713), Date of registration 10/05/2017, www.drks.de.

Understanding the complexity of sepsis mortality prediction via rule discovery and analysis: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

Sepsis, defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection, has become one of the major causes of death in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). The heterogeneity and complexity of this syndrome lead to the absence of golden standards for its diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. The early prediction of in-hospital mortality for sepsis patients is not only meaningful to medical decision making, but more importantly, relates to the well-being of patients.

METHODS

In this paper, a rule discovery and analysis (rule-based) method is used to predict the in-hospital death events of 2021 ICU patients diagnosed with sepsis using the MIMIC-III database. The method mainly includes two phases: rule discovery phase and rule analysis phase. In the rule discovery phase, the RuleFit method is employed to mine multiple hidden rules which are capable to predict individual in-hospital death events. In the rule analysis phase, survival analysis and decomposition analysis are carried out to test and justify the risk prediction ability of these rules. Then by leveraging a subset of these rules, we establish a prediction model that is both more accurate at the in-hospital death prediction task and more interpretable than most comparable methods.

RESULTS

In our experiment, RuleFit generates 77 risk prediction rules, and the average area under the curve (AUC) of the prediction model based on 62 of these rules reaches 0.781 ([Formula: see text]) which is comparable to or even better than the AUC of existing methods (i.e., commonly used medical scoring system and benchmark machine learning models). External validation of the prediction power of these 62 rules on another 1468 sepsis patients not included in MIMIC-III in ICU provides further supporting evidence for the superiority of the rule-based method. In addition, we discuss and explain in detail the rules with better risk prediction ability. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), serum potassium, and serum bilirubin are found to be the most important risk factors for predicting patient death.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrates that, with the rule-based method, we could not only make accurate prediction on in-hospital death events of sepsis patients, but also reveal the complex relationship between sepsis-related risk factors through the rules themselves, so as to improve our understanding of the complexity of sepsis as well as its population.

Serum Levels of Markers of Endothelial Activation Are Not Associated with a Positive Blood Culture in Surinamese Children with Suspected Severe Infection

BACKGROUND

Systemic serum levels of markers of endothelial activation are associated with infection. We hypothesize that levels of markers of endothelial activation are associated with the presence of a positive blood culture as a manifestation of a systemic infection in children with a suspected severe infection in Suriname.

METHODS

In this prospective observational cohort study, children between 1 month and 18 years of age suspected of severe infection as assessed by the threating physician, and in whom laboratory testing and blood culturing was performed before start of intravenous antibiotic treatment, were recruited at the emergency department of the Academic Hospital Paramaribo, Suriname. Serum was collected at blood culturing and after 48-72 h of admission. Serum was stored for measurement of levels of Angiopoietin (Ang)-1, Ang-2, soluble (s)P-selectin, sE-selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and platelet and endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1.

RESULTS

Fifty-one children were included of whom 10 had a positive blood culture. Baseline characteristics were similar between children with and without a positive blood culture. No significant differences in serum levels of the Angiopoietins or soluble cellular adhesion molecules between groups were observed at start of antibiotic treatment nor after 48-72 h.

CONCLUSIONS

The data from this study indicate that in children with severe infection, serum levels of markers of endothelial cell activation are not associated with a positive blood culture. Thus, having a positive bacterial blood culture may not be the only factor driving endothelial activation in this patient population.

Prediction of disease severity in young children presenting with acute febrile illness in resource-limited settings: a protocol for a prospective observational study

INTRODUCTION

In rural and difficult-to-access settings, early and accurate recognition of febrile children at risk of progressing to serious illness could contribute to improved patient outcomes and better resource allocation. This study aims to develop a prognostic clinical prediction tool to assist community healthcare providers identify febrile children who might benefit from referral or admission for facility-based medical care.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This prospective observational study will recruit at least 4900 paediatric inpatients and outpatients under the age of 5 years presenting with an acute febrile illness to seven hospitals in six countries across Asia. A venous blood sample and nasopharyngeal swab is collected from each participant and detailed clinical data recorded at presentation, and each day for the first 48 hours of admission for inpatients. Multianalyte assays are performed at reference laboratories to measure a panel of host biomarkers, as well as targeted aetiological investigations for common bacterial and viral pathogens. Clinical outcome is ascertained on day 2 and day 28.Presenting syndromes, clinical outcomes and aetiology of acute febrile illness will be described and compared across sites. Following the latest guidance in prediction model building, a prognostic clinical prediction model, combining simple clinical features and measurements of host biomarkers, will be derived and geographically externally validated. The performance of the model will be evaluated in specific presenting clinical syndromes and fever aetiologies.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study has received approval from all relevant international, national and institutional ethics committees. Written informed consent is provided by the caretaker of all participants. Results will be shared with local and national stakeholders, and disseminated via peer-reviewed open-access journals and scientific meetings.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT04285021.

New insights into microvascular injury to inform enhanced diagnostics and therapeutics for severe malaria

Severe malaria (SM) has high mortality and morbidity rates despite treatment with potent antimalarials. Disease onset and outcome is dependent upon both parasite and host factors. Infected erythrocytes bind to host endothelium contributing to microvascular occlusion and dysregulated inflammatory and immune host responses, resulting in endothelial activation and microvascular damage. This review focuses on the mechanisms of host endothelial and microvascular injury. Only a small percentage of malaria infections (≤1%) progress to SM. Early recognition and treatment of SM can improve outcome, but we lack triage tools to identify SM early in the course of infection. Current point-of-care pathogen-based rapid diagnostic tests do not address this critical barrier. Immune and endothelial activation have been implicated in the pathobiology of SM. We hypothesize that measuring circulating mediators of these pathways at first clinical presentation will enable early triage and treatment of SM. Moreover, that host-based interventions that modulate these pathways will stabilize the microvasculature and improve clinical outcome over that of antimalarial therapy alone.

Clinical trials to assess adjuvant therapeutics for severe malaria

Despite potent anti-malarial treatment, mortality rates associated with severe falciparum malaria remain high. To attempt to improve outcome, several trials have assessed a variety of potential adjunctive therapeutics, however none to date has been shown to be beneficial. This may be due, at least partly, to the therapeutics chosen and clinical trial design used. Here, we highlight three themes that could facilitate the choice and evaluation of putative adjuvant interventions for severe malaria, paving the way for their assessment in randomized controlled trials. Most clinical trials of adjunctive therapeutics to date have been underpowered due to the large number of participants required to reach mortality endpoints, rendering these study designs challenging and expensive to conduct. These limitations may be mitigated by the use of risk-stratification of participants and application of surrogate endpoints. Appropriate surrogate endpoints include direct measures of pathways causally involved in the pathobiology of severe and fatal malaria, including markers of host immune and endothelial activation and microcirculatory dysfunction. We propose using circulating markers of these pathways to identify high-risk participants that would be most likely to benefit from adjunctive therapy, and further by adopting these biomarkers as surrogate endpoints; moreover, choosing interventions that target deleterious host immune responses that directly contribute to microcirculatory dysfunction, multi-organ dysfunction and death; and, finally, prioritizing where possible, drugs that act on these pathways that are already approved by the FDA, or other regulators, for other indications, and are known to be safe in target populations, including children. An emerging understanding of the critical role of the host response in severe malaria pathogenesis may facilitate both clinical trial design and the search of effective adjunctive therapeutics.

Host-Based Prognostic Biomarkers to Improve Risk Stratification and Outcome of Febrile Children in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Fever is one of the leading causes for pediatric medical consultation and the most common symptom at clinical presentation in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Most febrile episodes are due to self-limited infections, but a small proportion of children will develop life-threatening infections. The early recognition of children who have or are progressing to a critical illness among all febrile cases is challenging, and there are currently no objective and quantitative tools to do so. This results in increased morbidity and mortality among children with impending life-threatening infections, whilst contributing to the unnecessary prescription of antibiotics, overwhelming health care facilities, and harm to patients receiving avoidable antimicrobial treatment. Specific fever origin is difficult to ascertain and co-infections in LMICs are common. However, many severe infections share common pathways of host injury irrespective of etiology, including immune and endothelial activation that contribute to the pathobiology of sepsis (i.e., pathogen "agnostic" mechanisms of disease). Importantly, mediators of these pathways are independent markers of disease severity and outcome. We propose that measuring circulating levels of these factors can provide quantitative and objective evidence to: enable early recognition of severe infection; guide patient triage and management; enhance post-discharge risk stratification and follow up; and mitigate potential gender bias in clinical decisions. Here, we review the clinical and biological evidence supporting the clinical utility of host immune and endothelial activation biomarkers as components of novel rapid triage tests, and discuss the challenges and needs for developing and implementing such tools.

Brief Report: Higher Levels of Angiopoietin-1 Are Associated With Early and Sustained Viral Suppression in Children Living With Vertically Acquired HIV

BACKGROUND

Systemic inflammation, platelet dysfunction, and endothelial activation persist in people living with HIV despite sustained virologic suppression (SVS) with combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) and may lead to complications such as atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) is a key regulator of angiogenesis and endothelial activation and has been studied as an objective biomarker in disease states such as atherosclerosis, sepsis, and severe malaria.

SETTING

Eight pediatric HIV care centers across Canada.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study of 61 children living with vertically acquired HIV on cART with undetectable RNA viral load. Plasma levels of Ang-1 were measured by ELISA and analyzed in relation to clinical characteristics abstracted from medical records.

RESULTS

Ang-1 levels were directly correlated with clinical indices of virologic control: cumulative proportion of life on effective cART (ρ = +0.35, P = 0.0078) and cumulative proportion of life with SVS (ρ = +0.36, P = 0.0049). Furthermore, higher Ang-1 levels were associated with younger age at SVS (ρ = -0.56, P < 0.0001). These associations remained statistically significant in multivariable linear regression models adjusting for potential confounders (P < 0.05 for all associations).

CONCLUSIONS

Early effective cART and SVS were associated with higher Ang-1 levels in children living with vertically acquired HIV-1.

MicroRNA-34a Promotes Endothelial Dysfunction and Mitochondrial-mediated Apoptosis in Murine Models of Acute Lung Injury

Recent evidence has shown that microRNAs (miRs) are involved in endothelial dysfunction and vascular injury in lung-related diseases. However, the potential role of miR-34a in the regulation of pulmonary endothelial dysfunction, vascular injury, and endothelial cells (ECs) apoptosis in acute lung injury (ALI)/acute lung respiratory distress syndrome is largely unknown. Here, we show that miR-34a-5p was upregulated in whole lungs, isolated ECs from lungs, and ECs stimulated with various insults (LPS and hyperoxia). Overexpression of miR-34a-5p in ECs exacerbated endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and vascular injury, whereas the suppression of miR-34a-5p expression in ECs and miR-34a-null mutant mice showed protection against LPS- and hyperoxia-induced ALI. Furthermore, we observed that miR-34a-mediated endothelial dysfunction is associated with decreased miR-34a direct-target protein, sirtuin-1, and increased p53 expression in whole lungs and ECs. Mechanistically, we show that miR-34a leads to translocation of p53 and Bax to the mitochondrial compartment with disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential to release cytochrome C into the cytosol, initiating a cascade of mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in lungs. Collectively, these data show that downregulating miR-34a expression or modulating its target proteins may improve endothelial dysfunction and attenuate ALI.

Markers of endothelial cell activation in suspected late onset neonatal sepsis in Surinamese newborns: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

Serum levels of markers of endothelial cell activation are associated with bacteremia and mortality in sepsis in adults, children, and newborns with early onset sepsis. We hypothesize that levels of these markers are associated with these outcomes in hospitalized newborns with suspected late onset neonatal sepsis (LONS).

METHODS

In this prospective cohort study, newborns admitted to the tertiary neonatal care facility of Suriname were included upon clinical suspicion of LONS and before start of antibiotic treatment, between April 1, 2015 and May 31, 2016. Serum concentrations of angiopoietin-1, angiopoietin-2, and soluble isoforms of P-selectin, E-selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), platelet and endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (sPECAM-1), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), neutrophil elastase, and tissue-inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) were measured.

RESULTS

Twenty-thee newborns were included. Baseline characteristics were similar between newborns with and without bacteremia and between non-survivors and survivors. Only soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin) was higher in newborns with bacteremia versus non-bacteremia (P=0.04) and lower in non-survivors (P=0.04). No conclusions could be made for sVCAM-1 due to high serum concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, the data from this pilot study indicate that serum levels of markers of endothelial cell activation are poorly associated with bacteremia and mortality.

Vascular Endothelium in Neonatal Sepsis: Basic Mechanisms and Translational Opportunities

Neonatal sepsis remains a major health issue worldwide, especially for low-birth weight and premature infants, with a high risk of death and devastating sequelae. Apart from antibiotics and supportive care, there is an unmet need for adjunctive treatments to improve the outcomes of neonatal sepsis. Strong and long-standing research on adult patients has shown that vascular endothelium is a key player in the pathophysiology of sepsis and sepsis-associated organ failure, through a direct interaction with pathogens, leukocytes, platelets, and the effect of soluble circulating mediators, in part produced by endothelial cells themselves. Despite abundant evidence that the neonatal immune response to sepsis is distinct from that of adults, comparable knowledge on neonatal vascular endothelium is much more limited. Neonatal endothelial cells express lower amounts of adhesion molecules compared to adult ones, and present a reduced capacity to neutralize reactive oxygen species. Conversely, available evidence on biomarkers of endothelial damage in neonates is not as robust as in adult patients, and endothelium-targeted therapeutic opportunities for neonatal sepsis are almost unexplored. Here, we summarize current knowledge on the structure of neonatal vascular endothelium, its interactions with neonatal immune system and possible endothelium-targeted diagnostic and therapeutic tools for neonatal sepsis. Furthermore, we outline areas of basic and translational research worthy of further study, to shed light on the role of vascular endothelium in the context of neonatal sepsis.