A Central Role for Free Heme in the Pathogenesis of Severe Sepsis

Larsen, Rasmus; Gozzelino, Raffaella; Jeney, Viktória; Tokaji, László; Bozza, Fernando A.; Japiassú, André M.; Bonaparte, Dolores; Cavalcante, Moisés Marinho; Chora, Ângelo; Ferreira, Ana; Marguti, Ivo; Cardoso, Sílvia; Sepúlveda, Nuno; Smith, Ann; Soares, Miguel P.

doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.3001118

A Central Role for Free Heme in the Pathogenesis of Severe Sepsis

Heme from red blood cells released in septic shock worsens organ dysfunction and increases the risk of death, but can be overcome by a scavenger of free heme.