Oxidised albumin: its role in sepsis

Human serum albumin (HSA) is a monomeric multi-domain protein. It is the most abundant protein in the plasma of healthy humans and plays a crucial role in maintaining colloid osmotic (oncotic) pressure. More interestingly, albumin has an extraordinary binding capacity, essential for storing and transporting endogenous substances, metabolites, and drugs throughout the human circulatory system. However, the HAS is prone to post-translational oxidative modifications. These oxidised albumins have been associated with systemic inflammation. However, the link between the albumin structure and function is not fully understood, and the mechanisms by which different forms of oxidised albumin affect disease still need to be investigated. Therefore, this project focuses on oxidised albumin and its role in inflammation and platelet activation. This project aims to develop and refine analytical methods for precisely measuring oxidised albumins in human plasma using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy. Further, we aim to find the link between the albumin redox state and the effect of hemoperfusion in sepsis patients. We will also evaluate the influence of adsorbents on albumin's redox state and investigate the impact of non-mercaptalbumin 2 (HNA2) on triggering platelet activation.