GTC Biotherapeutics (fka GTCB)

[jessellivermore]

Hi wj

If I understand correctly

Re severe sepsis....certain bacteria eg pneumococcus ( a gram pos cocci causing pneumococcal pneumonia) Secrete an exotoxin which is an enzyme "sialidase" which removes "sialic acid" (a sugar) from host cells... and coag factors and platelets... In some unspecified manner this aids the spread of the pathogen (pneumococcus in the case).

There are recepors in the liver called Aswell receptors. They sense the drop in sialic acid and trigger an unspecified response which somehow decreases coagulation factors and platelets,,,This decrease of hemostatic factor decreases the amount of coagulation. The fact this may be benefical is bolstered by studies in mice without Aswell receptors having a considerably more serious clinical situation with higher mortality when challenged by pneumococcus. The authors also feel the loss of coag factors in DIC may be in part due to the response of the Ashwell receptors.

Finally the authors postulate,, this is a new model which suggest agents???? which would enhance or support the Aswell receptors might improve survival in DIC......":>)