Septic shock : a protein to help fight off infection

Rabbits have enabled us to obtain the protein in large quantities (pressmaster/epictura)

Published the 08.09.2017 at 17h57

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Keywords :

septicémiesepsisprotéinerecherche animal

The ESSENTIAL

Septic shock kills a person every 3 to 4 seconds in the world. Within 50 years, the number of cases is expected to double.
Each year, 6 million infants die from this serious reaction.
In France, the mortality associated with septic shock is 27 % ; it can go up to 50 % in the most severe forms.
Last may, the WHO declared the sepsis as a major public health problem.

The bio-mimicry. It’s a term that might gain momentum. Use nature for inspiration to develop treatments, it is precisely this that was attempted by a team of Inserm installed in Dijon (Côte-d’or). His enemy : the septic shock, the inflammatory reaction to severe that occurs as a result of a bacterial infection.

In Scientific Reports, the scientists believe to have taken advantage of a protein that is naturally present in the body to combat the sepsis. Called PLTP, it neutralizes the action of the toxins expressed by the bacteria at the origin of the infection. Avoiding the death of the patient.

A protein vital

The protein is in any way a “washing machine of the bacterial toxins,” explains Laurent Lagrost, who coordinated the research. The PLTP apart the surface of the bacteria, producing endotoxins. These are then transferred to lipoproteins so that they are transported to the liver, destroyed, and evacuated through the bile ducts.

In normal times, the body does this constantly. But in persons with weakened, the protein functions less well. However, it is essential, as shown by the French, with a test on mice. Genetically engineered to no longer express PLTP, they were exposed to Gram-negative bacteria responsible for septic shock. The animals are quickly dead of the infection, without being able to fight it.

The problem is that the human being produces very little of PLTP. Only a few milligrams are concentrated in our blood, which makes its extraction very difficult. The authors of this study have therefore avoided a ant work by changing your approach.