Genetics of sepsis and organ failure

Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells. It contains iron. Oxygen binds to the iron in hemoglobin. As your heart pumps blood through your body, it delivers oxygen. When red blood cells die, they burst. This releases hemoglobin. Free hemoglobin can cause damage to kidneys and other organs. Haptoglobin, or Hp, is a protein found in the blood. Hp binds free hemoglobin. This protects organs from damage. It also allows the body to recycle iron. Certain changes in the HP gene can cause the protein not to work right. They can cause anemia, or low iron. They may also cause organ failure. Sepsis is a complication of some infections. If it is serious enough, it can lead to organ failure or death. Scientists think there might be a link between changes in the HP gene and sepsis too. Researchers at Vanderbilt will use BioVU to try to learn more about HP gene changes. They will look for gene changes linked to sepsis or organ failure. They will also look at other conditions linked to changes in this gene. They hope to learn more about how changes in the Hp protein affect us. Their results may help us find better treatments for people at risk for sepsis or organ failure. We may also learn more about other conditions linked to changes in Hp.