The Actin-Binding Protein Cortactin Promotes Sepsis Severity by Supporting Excessive Neutrophil Infiltration into the Lung

Sepsis is a systemic infection that can lead to multi-organ failure. It is characterised by an uncontrolled immune response with massive neutrophil influx into peripheral organs. Neutrophil extravasation into tissues depends on actin remodeling and actin-binding proteins such as cortactin, which is expressed ubiquitously, except for neutrophils. Endothelial cortactin is necessary for proper regulation of neutrophil transendothelial migration and recruitment to sites of infection. We therefore hypothesised that cortactin plays a crucial role in sepsis development by regulating neutrophil trafficking. Using a murine model of sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), we showed that cortactin-deficient (KO) mice survive better due to reduced lung injury. Histopathological analysis of lungs from septic KO mice revealed absence of oedema, reduced vascular congestion and mucus deposition, and better-preserved alveoli compared to septic wild-type (WT) mice. Additionally, sepsis-induced cytokine storm, excessive neutrophil infiltration into the lung and oxidative stress were significantly reduced in KO mice. Neutrophil depletion 12 h after sepsis improved survival in WT mice by averting lung injury, similar to both neutrophil-depleted and non-depleted KO mice. Our findings highlight a critical role of cortactin for lung neutrophil infiltration and sepsis severity.