Treatment of invasive streptococcal infection with a peptide derived from human high molecular weight kininogen.
Author
Summary, in English
Sepsis and septic shock remain an important medical problem, emphasizing the need to identify novel therapeutic opportunities. Hypovolemic hypotension, coagulation dysfunction, disturbed microcirculation, and multiorgan failure due to vascular leakage are often observed in these severe conditions. In the present study, we find that HKH20, a peptide derived from human high molecular weight kininogen (HK), down-regulates inflammatory reactions caused by Streptococcus pyogenes in a mouse model of sepsis. HK is a component of the pro-inflammatory and pro-coagulant contact system. Activation of the contact system in the bloodstream by S. pyogenes leads to massive tissue damage in the lungs of the infected mice, which eventually results in the death of the animals. HKH20 inhibits activation of the contact system and protects mice with invasive S. pyogenes infection from lung damage. In combination with clindamycin treatment, the peptide also significantly prolongs the survival of infected mice.
Department/s
Publishing year
2009
Language
English
Pages
444-451
Publication/Series
Blood
Volume
114
Issue
2
Full text
- Available as PDF - 10 MB
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Links
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
American Society of Hematology
Topic
- Hematology
Status
Published
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 1528-0020