We propose to investigate the importance of mitochondrial biogenesis in the evolution of organ dysfunction in sepsis. Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) is a frequent complication of sepsis, and although sepsis mortality increases almost linearly with the number of organs involved, the underlying pathogenesis of organ failure and how it resolves are not understood. We have shown in animals with sepsis that damage to mitochondria in tissues contributes to abnormalities in cellular energy production and, when repair mechanisms fail, to cell death and organ dysfunction (6-12). This is balanced by mitochondrial biogenesis, the adaptive program that maintains the capacity for mitochondrial energy production through maintenance and repair of mitochondrial components and through synthesis of new organelles. We hypothesize that mitochondrial damage is an early finding in patients with severe sepsis and that the extent of mitochondrial injury predicts the severity of sepsis-induced MODS. We propose that the resolution of MODS in sepsis depends on the initiation of mitochondrial biogenesis. The mitochondrial genome is a particularly sensitive target for oxidative injury in sepsis because it is located close to the site of oxidative phosphorylation and is relatively unprotected by anti-oxidant defenses (13-15). Our preliminary data show that mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) injury and biogenesis are an intrinsic part of the host response to severe infection. To determine how these relate to the development and resolution of MODS in patients, we propose the following Specific Aims:
Specific Aim 1. Determine if mitochondrial DNA damage in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) predicts organ dysfunction in non-diabetic and diabetic septic patients, especially critical care myopathy.
Specific Aim 2. Determine if activation of the molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial DNA replication and biogenesis in PBMC predicts recovery from sepsis-induced organ dysfunction.
Specific Aim 3. Determine whether specific molecular pathways are critical to resolution of sepsis- induced organ injury in wild type and diabetic mice. We will characterize mitochondria in PBMC from septic patients to determine the relationship between mtDNA damage and biogenesis to disease severity and outcome. Using a clinically relevant animal model of sepsis, we will investigate pathways important for mitochondrial biogenesis and recovery of organ function and determine whether these are feasible targets for effecting recovery of MODS in septic patients. The results will provide a new approach to the clinical assessment of energy failure during sepsis, stratify patient risk for sepsis complications and use the results to enhance existing animal models, and identify patients who might benefit from therapeutic interventions that promote mitochondrial biogenesis.

Public Health Relevance

The multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) is a frequent complication of sepsis from severe infections, with ~750,000 reported cases per year and an overall mortality rate of about 30%. Mortality is directly related to severity of organ failure, but the underlying causes and what determines resolution are not understood. These studies will investigate the role of mitochondrial injury and biogenesis in the pathogenesis of organ dysfunction in sepsis, and should lead to new therapies to enhance recovery from organ failures in sepsis.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM084116-04
Application #
8217199
Study Section
Surgery, Anesthesiology and Trauma Study Section (SAT)
Program Officer
Dunsmore, Sarah
Project Start
2009-04-01
Project End
2013-01-31
Budget Start
2012-02-01
Budget End
2013-01-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$316,494
Indirect Cost
$113,613
Name
Duke University
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
044387793
City
Durham
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27705
Bartz, Raquel R; Fu, Ping; Suliman, Hagir B et al. (2014) Staphylococcus aureus sepsis induces early renal mitochondrial DNA repair and mitochondrial biogenesis in mice. PLoS One 9:e100912
MacGarvey, Nancy Chou; Suliman, Hagir B; Bartz, Raquel R et al. (2012) Activation of mitochondrial biogenesis by heme oxygenase-1-mediated NF-E2-related factor-2 induction rescues mice from lethal Staphylococcus aureus sepsis. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 185:851-61
Athale, Janhavi; Ulrich, Allison; MacGarvey, Nancy Chou et al. (2012) Nrf2 promotes alveolar mitochondrial biogenesis and resolution of lung injury in Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia in mice. Free Radic Biol Med 53:1584-94
Piantadosi, Claude A; Suliman, Hagir B (2012) Redox regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis. Free Radic Biol Med 53:2043-53
Piantadosi, Claude A; Suliman, Hagir B (2012) Transcriptional control of mitochondrial biogenesis and its interface with inflammatory processes. Biochim Biophys Acta 1820:532-41
Piantadosi, Claude A; Withers, Crystal M; Bartz, Raquel R et al. (2011) Heme oxygenase-1 couples activation of mitochondrial biogenesis to anti-inflammatory cytokine expression. J Biol Chem 286:16374-85
Sweeney, Timothy E; Suliman, Hagir B; Hollingsworth, John W et al. (2011) A toll-like receptor 2 pathway regulates the Ppargc1a/b metabolic co-activators in mice with Staphylococcal aureus sepsis. PLoS One 6:e25249