title: Immunomodulation in sepsis: the role of endotoxin removal by polymyxin B-immobilized cartridge.
abstract: Severe sepsis results in high morbidity and mortality. Immunomodulation strategies could be an adjunctive therapy to treat sepsis. Endotoxin is a component of gram-negative bacteria and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of septic shock when it is recognized by immune cells. Removal of endotoxin could be an effective adjunctive approach to the management of sepsis. Devices to adsorb endotoxin or inflammatory cytokines have been designed as a strategy to treat severe sepsis, especially sepsis caused by gram-negative bacteria. Polymyxin B-immobilized cartridge has been successfully used to treat patients with sepsis of abdominal origin. Although this cartridge was conceived to adsorb endotoxin, several other immunological mechanisms have been elucidated, and this device has also yielded promising results in patients with nonseptic respiratory failure. In this paper, we summarize the immune modulation actions of Polymyxin B-immobilized cartridge to explore its potential usefulness beyond endotoxin elimination.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Passeig Sant Joan de Déu, 2.08950, Universitat de Barcelona, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Esteban
authors.forename: Ricard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ferrer
authors.forename: Laia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Alsina
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Artigas
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004867:Equipment Design; D024243:HMGB1 Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System; D056747:Immunomodulation; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry; D010641:Phenotype; D011112:Polymyxin B / Q000737:chemistry; D018805:Sepsis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D004731:Endotoxins; D024243:HMGB1 Protein; C585491:HMGB1 protein, human; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D011112:Polymyxin B