Expression of the glucocorticoid receptor is decreased in experimental Staphylococcus aureus sepsis

Introduction: Glucocorticoid treatment in septic shock remains controversial after recent trials. We hypothesized that failure to respond to steroid therapy may be caused by decreased expression and/or function of glucocorticoid receptors (GR) and studied this in a mouse model of Staphylococcus aureus sepsis. The impact of timing of dexamethasone treatment was also investigated. Methods: Male C57BL/6J mice were intravenously inoculated with S. aureus and GR expression and binding ability in blood, spleen and lymph nodes were analysed by means of flow cytometry. GR translocation was analysed using Image Stream. Septic mice were administered dexamethasone at 22, 26, 48, 72 and 96 h after inoculation and body weight, as a sign of dehydration, was observed. Results: GR expression was decreased in septic animals, but not the ligand binding capacity. GR translocation was decreased in septic mice compared to control animals. Early dexamethasone treatment (22 and 26 h) improved clinical outcome as studied by weight gain compared to when treatment was started at later time points (48, 72 and 96 h). Conclusion: Our data provide evidence that GR expression is progressively decreased in experimental sepsis and that dexamethasone has a decreased ability to translocate into the cell nucleus. This may explain why steroid treatment is only beneficial when administered early in sepsis and septic shock. (C) 2013 The British Infection Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.