Research

Time course of angiopoietin-2 release during experimental human endotoxemia and sepsis

Philipp Kümpers^1* , Matijs van Meurs^2,3* , Sascha David¹ , Grietje Molema³ , Johan Bijzet³ , Alexander Lukasz¹ , Frank Biertz⁴ , Hermann Haller¹ and Jan G Zijlstra²

¹  Department of Nephrology & Hypertension, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany

²  Department of Critical Care, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ, Groningen, The Netherlands

³  Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 19713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands

⁴  Department of Biometrics, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany

author email corresponding author email* Contributed equally

Critical Care 2009, 13:R64doi:10.1186/cc7866

Published:	5 May 2009

Abstract

Introduction

Endothelial activation leading to vascular barrier breakdown denotes a devastating event in sepsis. Angiopoietin (Ang)-2, a circulating antagonistic ligand of the endothelial specific Tie2 receptor, is rapidly released from Weibel-Palade and has been identified as a non-redundant gatekeeper of endothelial activation. We aimed to study: the time course of Ang-2 release during human experimental endotoxemia; the association of Ang-2 with soluble adhesion molecules and inflammatory cytokines; and the early time course of Ang-2 release during sepsis in critically ill patients.

Methods

In 22 healthy volunteers during a 24-hour period after a single intravenous injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 4 ng/kg) the following measurement were taken by immuno luminometric assay (ILMA), ELISA, and bead-based multiplex technology: circulating Ang-1, Ang-2, soluble Tie2 receptor, the inflammatory molecules TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-8 and C-reactive protein, and the soluble endothelial adhesion molecules inter-cellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), E-selectin, and P-selectin. A single oral dose of placebo or the p38 mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinase inhibitor drug, RWJ-67657, was administered 30 minutes before the endotoxin infusion. In addition, the course of circulating Ang-2 was analyzed in 21 septic patients at intensive care unit (ICU) admission and after 24 and 72 hours, respectively.

Results

During endotoxemia, circulating Ang-2 levels were significantly elevated, reaching peak levels 4.5 hours after LPS infusion. Ang-2 exhibited a kinetic profile similar to early pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-8. Ang-2 levels peaked prior to soluble endothelial-specific adhesion molecules. Finally, Ang-2 correlated with TNF-alpha levels (r = 0.61, P = 0.003), soluble E-selectin levels (r = 0.64, P < 0.002), and the heart rate/mean arterial pressure index (r = 0.75, P < 0.0001). In septic patients, Ang-2 increased in non-survivors only, and was significantly higher compared with survivors at baseline, 24 hours, and 72 hours.

Conclusions

LPS is a triggering factor for Ang-2 release in men. Circulating Ang-2 appears in the systemic circulation during experimental human endotoxemia in a distinctive temporal sequence and correlates with TNF-alpha and E-selectin levels. In addition, not only higher baseline Ang-2 concentrations, but also a persistent increase in Ang-2 during the early course identifies septic patients with unfavorable outcome.