Evaluation of Endocan as a Treatment for Acute Inflammatory Respiratory Failure.

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a life-threatening condition resulting from acute pulmonary inflammation. However, no specific treatment for ARDS has yet been developed. Previous findings suggest that lung injuries related to ARDS could be regulated by endocan (Esm-1).

Endocan regulates acute lung inflammation through control of leukocyte diapedesis.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome is a severe form of respiratory failure, occurring in up to 20% of patients admitted to the intensive care unit with sepsis. Dysregulated leukocyte diapedesis is a major contributor to acute respiratory distress syndrome. Endocan is a circulating proteoglycan that binds to the leukocyte integrin leukocyte functional antigen-1 and blocks its interaction with its endothelial ligand, ICAM-1.