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Critical Care
Published in: Critical Care 6/2006

01-12-2006 | Review

Bench-to-bedside review: The role of activated protein C in maintaining endothelial tight junction function and its relationship to organ injury

Authors: Mark R Looney, Michael A Matthay

Published in: Critical Care | Issue 6/2006

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Abstract

Activated protein C (APC) has emerged as a novel therapeutic agent for use in selected patients with severe sepsis, even though the mechanism of its benefit is not well established. APC has anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and profibrinolytic properties, but it is not clear through which of these mechanisms APC exerts its benefit in severe sepsis. Focus has recently turned to the role of APC in maintaining endothelial barrier function, and in vitro and in vivo studies have examined this relationship. This article critically reviews these studies, with a focus on potential mechanisms of action.
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Metadata
Title
Bench-to-bedside review: The role of activated protein C in maintaining endothelial tight junction function and its relationship to organ injury
Authors
Mark R Looney
Michael A Matthay
Publication date
01-12-2006
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Critical Care / Issue 6/2006
Electronic ISSN: 1364-8535
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/cc5099

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