Proteomic study revealed cellular assembly and lipid metabolism dysregulation in sepsis secondary to community-acquired pneumonia

Sepsis is a life-threatening disorder characterized by organ dysfunction and a major cause of mortality worldwide. The major challenge in studying sepsis is its diversity in such factors as age, source of infection and etiology. Recently, genomic and proteomic approaches have improved our understanding of its complex pathogenesis. In the present study, we use quantitative proteomics to evaluate the host proteome response in septic patients secondary to community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Samples obtained at admission and after 7 days of follow-up were analyzed according to the outcomes of septic patients. The patients’ proteome profiles were compared with age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers. Bioinformatic analyses of differentially expressed proteins showed alteration in the cytoskeleton, cellular assembly, movement, lipid metabolism and immune responses in septic patients. Actin and gelsolin changes were assessed in mononuclear cells using immunofluorescence, and a higher expression of gelsolin and depletion of actin were observed in survivor patients. Regarding lipid metabolism, changes in cholesterol, HDL and apolipoproteins were confirmed using enzymatic colorimetric methods in plasma. Transcriptomic studies revealed a massive change in gene expression in sepsis. Our proteomic results stressed important changes in cellular structure and metabolism, which are possible targets for future interventions of sepsis.