Genetic Basis Found for Septic Shock

Mice lacking the IRAK-4 gene seem to be not susceptible to septic shock, which occurs when the immune system overreacts to a bacterial infection and closes down the circulatory system. This study was posted to the Internet on March 31, 2002, for early on-line publication in Nature.

Researchers at Princess Margaret Hospital's Ontario Cancer Institute (Toronto, Canada) and the Amgen Research Institute (also in Toronto) have been studying the IRAK-4 gene. "We discovered that when the gene IRAK-4 was deleted from test mice, we effectively tamed the inflammatory response of the mice and prevented septic shock,” said the study's lead author, Dr. Wen-Chen Yeh. "Mice that lacked the IRAK-4 gene were completely resistant to septic shock that is triggered by a lethal dose of toxic bacteria product.” Septic shock causes more than 20,000 deaths each year in North America alone.

Further study is needed to determine if this is the best gene to target for possible future treatment, according to Dr. Yeh. "It is important to caution that this is just one step in a very long process, although it may be an important one. There have been many world-wide pioneering discoveries along the path leading to this finding, and there will likely be more after this one.”




Related Links:
Princess Margaret Hospital
Amgen Research Institute