Role of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9, toll-like receptor 4 and platelet-leukocyte aggregate formation in sepsis-associated thrombocytopenia.

Background: The development of thrombocytopenia in sepsis is a poor prognostic indicator associated with a significantly increased mortality risk. Mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain to be clearly elucidated. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are enzymes that regulate the turnover of the extra-cellular matrix.

Notorious but not understood: How liquid-air interfacial stress triggers protein aggregation.

Protein aggregation is a major challenge in the development of biopharmaceuticals. As the pathways of aggregation are manifold, good understanding of the mechanisms behind is essential. Particularly, the presence of liquid-air interfaces has been identified to trigger the formation of large protein particles.

Platelet microaggregation in sepsis examined by quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation technology.

Antiplatelet therapies remain an area of potential interest for the treatment of sepsis; however, studies of platelet aggregation in sepsis have yielded conflicting results. We examined platelet aggregation patterns in patients with septic shock using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation technology, a microfluidic device capable of measuring platelet microaggregate formation under flow conditions. Platelet aggregation was increased in the washed platelet samples of septic patients.