Antisense Phosphorothioate Oligonucleotides to the p65 Subunit of NF-κB Abrogate Fulminant Septic Shock Induced byS. typhimuriumin Mice

The aim of this study was to characterize the functional relevance of the transcription factor NF-κB in the pathogenesis of septic shock. BALB/c mice were infected with two wild-type (WT 1, WT 2) strains of S. typhimurium that induce NF-κB or an escape variant that lacks this ability (P21) at a dose of 1 × 109/animal, respectively. Furthermore, wild-type infected mice were treated with antisense oligonucleotides directed against NF-κB 24 h before and 3 or 6 h after infection, while mismatched oligonucleotides were used as controls. Subsequently, the clinical course, histological and immunological alterations were monitored. Infection with WT 1 and WT 2 strains led to lethal septic shock wit…