Critical care : the official journal of the Critical Care Forum
-
Editorial Comment
BTLA as a biomarker and mediator of sepsis-induced immunosuppression.
Recent research indicates that T-lymphocyte dysfunction may contribute to sepsis-associated morbidity and mortality. B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) is a co-inhibitory receptor expressed by T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes that is important in regulating lymphocyte activation during inflammation and infection. ⋯ Further studies provide evidence that BTLA activation contributes to T-lymphocyte apoptosis during sepsis. Although this study will require follow-up and further investigation, the results advance current knowledge regarding potential mechanisms underlying sepsis-induced immunosuppression and identify BTLA as a candidate biomarker and mediator of T-cell dysfunction during sepsis.