Journal
CURRENT OPINION IN CRITICAL CARE
Volume 24, Issue 1, Pages 1-9Publisher
LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS
DOI: 10.1097/MCC.0000000000000472
Keywords
acute respiratory distress syndrome; complex system; inflammation; systems biology
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Purpose of reviewARDS is a severe pulmonary disease characterized by inflammation. However, inflammation-directed therapies have yet failed to improve the outcome in ARDS patients. One of the reasons may be the underestimated complexity of inflammation. Here, we summarize recent insights into the complex interrelations between inflammatory circuits.Recent findingsGene expression analysis from animal models or from patients with ARDS, sepsis or trauma show an enormous number of differentially expressed genes with highly significant overlaps between the various conditions. These similarities, however, should not obscure the complexity of inflammation. We suggest to consider inflammation in ARDS as a system controlled by scale-free networks of genome-wide molecular interaction with hubs (e.g. NFB, C/EBP, ATF3), exhibiting nonlinear emergence and the ability to adapt, meaning for instance that mild and life-threatening inflammation in ARDS are distinct processes. In order to comprehend this complex system, it seems necessary to combine model-driven simulations, data-driven modelling and hypothesis-driven experimental studies. Recent experimental studies have illustrated how several regulatory circuits interact during pulmonary inflammation, including the resolution of inflammation, the inflammasome, autophagy and apoptosis.SummaryWe suggest that therapeutic interventions in ARDS should be based on a systems approach to inflammation.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available