Reduction of gap and adherens junction proteins and intercalated disc structural remodeling in the hearts of mice submitted to severe cecal ligation and puncture sepsis

loss of intercalated disc structural integrity, characterized in the electron microscopic study by partial separation or dehiscence of gap junctions and adherens junctions. Conclusions: Our data provide important insight regarding the alterations in intercalated disc components resulting from severe septic injury. The intercalated disc remodeling under both protein expression and structural features in experimental severe sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture may be partly responsible for myocardial depression in sepsis/septic shock. Although further electrophysiological studies in animals and humans are needed to determine the effect of these alterations on myocardial conduction velocity, the abnormal variables may emerge as therapeutic targets, and their modulation might provide beneficial effects on future cardiovascular outcomes and mortality in sepsis. (Crit Care Med 2007; 35:2176‐2185)