Unveiling the therapeutic potential of Resveratrol against neutrophil-mediated hyperinflammation in sepsis: An in-silico, molecular docking, and ex-vivo approach.

BACKGROUND

Sepsis is a serious condition characterized by hyperinflammation, often leading to organ dysfunction and mortality. Currently employed drugs are non-specific and lead to severe side effects. Hence, there is a need to search for patient-specific drugs targeting hyperinflammation.

METHODS

An in-silico analysis of multiple GEO datasets [GSE63311, GSE95233, and GSE28750] to identify differentially expressed genes [DEGs] in sepsis was performed. In-silico tools, including hub gene identification using Cytoscape, protein-protein interaction [PPI] network analysis using STRING, network analysis and functional enrichment, KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, and gene ontology, were performed. Molecular docking was performed to assess the interactions between the ligand and target protein. Furthermore, we performed an ex-vivo study by challenging neutrophils from healthy volunteers and sepsis patients with and without E. coli and S. aureus, involving free radical formation, NO generation, and neutrophil extracellular traps [NETs] formation in the presence or absence of Resveratrol [RSV].

RESULTS

Nine potential hub genes, namely S100A12, S100A9, S100A8, HK3, HP, CD177, MCEMP1, ARG1, and ANXA3, having roles in pro-inflammatory, immune regulation, and metabolic processes, were identified as DEGs. PPI networks generated using the Cytoscape CytoHubba plugin identified these genes as central nodes, critical for sepsis progression. Molecular docking studies confirmed the binding affinity of RSV with S100A12. The free radical and NO generations, NETs release, and p38 MAPK phosphorylation from human neutrophils were significantly attenuated in the presence of RSV.

CONCLUSION

The present study identified S100A12 as a potential therapeutic target for RSV to attenuate neutrophil-driven hyperinflammation in sepsis. This revealed the therapeutic potential of RSV in combating sepsis.