title: Role of microRNAs in sepsis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  MicroRNAs have been found to be of high significance in the regulation of various genes and processes in the body. Sepsis is a serious clinical problem which arises due to the excessive host inflammatory response to infection. The non-specific clinical features and delayed diagnosis of sepsis has been a matter of concern for long time.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MicroRNAs could enable better diagnosis of sepsis and help in the identification of the various stages of sepsis. Improved diagnosis may enable quicker and more effective treatment measures. The initial acute and transient phase of sepsis involves excessive secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines which causes severe damage. MicroRNAs negatively regulate the toll-like receptor signaling pathway and regulate the production of inflammatory cytokines during sepsis. Likewise, microRNAs have shown to regulate the vascular barrier and endothelial function in sepsis. They are also involved in the regulation of the apoptosis, immunosuppression, and organ dysfunction in later stages of sepsis. Their importance at various levels of the pathophysiology of sepsis has been discussed along with the challenges and future perspectives.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MicroRNAs could be key players in the diagnosis and staging of sepsis. Their regulation at various stages of sepsis suggests that they may have an important role in altering the outcome associated with sepsis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, 605006, India.
authors.forename: S Manoj Kumar
authors.initials: SMK
authors.lastname: Kingsley
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, 605006, India. drvishnubhat@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: B Vishnu
authors.initials: BV
authors.lastname: Bhat
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000235:genetics; D018805:Sepsis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs
keywords: Immunosuppression; Inflammatory cytokines; Inflammatory response; MicroRNAs; Organ dysfunction; Sepsis