Hemoadsorption devices are used to treat septic shock by adsorbing inflammatory cytokines and as yet incompletely defined danger and pathogen associated molecular patterns. In an ideal case, hemoadsorption results in immediate recovery of microvascular endothelial cells’ (mEC) function and rapid recovery from catecholamine-dependency and septic shock. We here tested a single device, which consists of polystyrene-divinylbenzene core particles of 450 μm diameter with a high affinity for hydrophobic compounds. The current study aimed at the proof of concept that endothelial-specific damage mediators are adsorbed and can be recovered from hemoadsorption devices. Because of excellent clinical experience, we tested protein fractions released from a hemoadsorber in a novel endothelial bioassay. Video-based, long-term imaging of mEC proliferation and cell death were evaluated and combined with apoptosis and ATP measurements. Out of a total of 39 fractions recovered from column fractionation, we identified 3 fractions that caused i) inhibition of mEC proliferation, ii) increased cell death and iii) induction of apoptosis in mEC. When adding these 3 fractions to mEC, their ATP contents were reduced. These fractions contained proteins of approximately 15 kDa, and high amounts of nucleic acid, which was at least in part oxidized. The efficacy for endothelial cell damage prevention by hemoadsorption can be addressed by a novel endothelial bioassay and long-term video observation procedures. Protein fractionation of the hemoadsorption devices used is feasible to study and define endothelial damage ligands on a molecular level. The results suggest a significant effect by circulating nucleic acids – bound to an as yet undefined protein, which may constitute a major danger-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) in the exacerbation of inflammation when patients experience septic shock. Hemoadsorption devices may thus limit endothelial damage, through the binding of nucleic acid-bearing aggregates and thus contribute to improved endothelial barrier function.

Affective (AF) and Schizophrenic (SZ) Spectrum disorders manifest with risk factors, involving inflammatory processes linked to infections and autoimmunity. This study searched for novel biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and peripheral blood. A total of 29 AF and 39 SZ patients with treatment-resistant disease were included. In CSF, the chemokine IL-8 was significantly elevated in AF and SZ patients. IL-8 promotes chemotaxis by neutrophils and may originate from different tissues. S100B, a glia-derived brain damage marker, was higher in CSF from AF than SZ patients. Among the plasma-derived biomarkers, ferritin was elevated in AF and SZ. Soluble CD25, indicating Treg dysfunction, was higher in SZ than in AF patients. Interferon-γ, implying virus-specific immune activation, was positive in selective AF patients, only. Both groups showed elevated expression of immunosuppressive CD33 on monocytes, but higher amounts of CD123+ plasmacytoid dendritic cells were restricted to SZ. In conclusion, chemotactic IL-8 indicates neuronal stress and inflammation in the CSF of both groups. Novel plasma-derived biomarkers such as sCD25 and monocytic CD33 distinguish SZ from AF with an autoimmune phenotype.