Preventing Inflammation-Induced Pulmonary Vascular Leakage
Sepsis poses a significant health risk in the United States, with an estimated 750,000 severe cases annually. Studies estimate the overall hospital mortality rate for sepsis to be 14-29%, while another study found confirmed severe sepsis in 6.3% of intensive care unit patients, with an associated mortality of 56%. With an average cost of over $22,000 per case, the total annual costs due to severe sepsis were estimated to be $16.7 billion. Sepsis does not have a cure and currently only one drug has FDA approval for the treatment of severe sepsis.
Description/Details
UIC researchers have developed a peptide derived from the IP3 receptor found on the endoplasmic reticulum. This peptide has been shown to regulate the release of Ca+2 and as a result revealed that pulmonary vascular leakage and sepsis were markedly reduced under this regulation. Moreover, this therapeutic peptide prevents lung edema and lethality in sepsis. Mice studies have been performed to establish the proof of concept in animals.
Applications
- Potential drug-based therapy to prevent the onset of edema and acute lung injury.
- Potential therapy to ease chronic vascular leakage during inflammation.
- Potential therapy for other related diseases, including hypertension, cancer and diabetes.
Benefits
- Lack of FDA-approved drugs presents opportunity for the new technology.
- Incidence of sepsis increases with age; population statistics trending towards more elderly.
- Mouse studies indicated statistically significant results in the treatment of sepsis.