Diagnostic Challenge and Therapeutic Approaches in Human Sepsis Based on the Appearance of Endotoxemia and Beta-D-Glucanemia

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to introduce to you this Special Issue of Molecular Toxicology Section of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, on "Diagnostic Challenge and Therapeutic Approaches in Human Sepsis Based on the Appearance of Endotoxemia and Beta-D-Glucanemia".

Endotoxins, also called lipopolysaccharides (LPS), are the major constituent of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria and possess a wide variety of biological effects and pathogenicity in human, such as pyrogenesity, lethality, inflammatory cytokine response via TLR4 signaling, or excessive activation of the coagulation system, leading to disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Cytokine and chemokine production by a broad range of immune cells result in a substantial part of the pathophysiology of endotoxin shock, suggesting a relationship with a number of endogenous risk factors, including enhanced intestinal epithelial permeability and bacterial translocation along with underlying conditions. In addition, invasive fungal infections are an increasingly frequent cause of sepsis. Thus, fungal (1→3)-beta-D-glucan, a major component of the cell wall as well as endotoxin, have attracted a considerable amount of interest in applications as potential prognostic, diagnostic, and therapeutic markers in blood or body fluids.

 In this Special Issue, we will focus on cellular and molecular mechanisms of endotoxin/beta-D-glucan activities; recent advances, limitations, and further challenges to the early detection of endotoxemia/beta-D-glucanemia, primarily with the Limulus amebocyte lysate assay (conventional/recombinant); and promising therapeutic approaches based on cytokine/chemokine blockades, anti-endotoxin agents, host defense (antimicrobial) peptides, antifungal agents, highly effective anticoagulants, or direct hemoperfusion, with the aim to pave the way to successful innovative treatments and management of sepsis or septic shock. 

Dr. Hiroshi Tamura
Dr. Yoshiyuki Adachi
Guest Editors

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