IL-1R2 as a Precision Therapeutic Target in Sepsis: Molecular Insights into Immune Regulation

Abstract

[Abstract]: Sepsis is a life-threatening condition characterized by systemic inflammation and organ dysfunction, with a complex and not yet fully elucidated molecular basis. Central to its pathogenesis is a dysregulated immune response. In this study, we performed a comprehensive multi-omics analysis on transcriptomic datasets retrieved from the GEO database, including samples from sepsis patients (n = 23) and healthy controls (n = 27). and identified a pivotal role of Interleukin-1 receptor 2 (IL-1R2) in modulating inflammatory responses in sepsis. Transcriptomic integration revealed activation of critical signaling pathways, including NFκB/NLRP3, associated with sepsis-induced immune dysregulation. We identified a pivotal role of Interleukin-1 receptor 2 (IL-1R2) in modulating inflammatory responses in sepsis, with IL-1R2 showing a 2.1-fold upregulation in septic patients. Transcriptomic integration revealed the activation of 42 significantly enriched signaling pathways, with 26 upregulated and 26 downregulated pathways. Notably, the NFκB/NLRP3 signaling axis emerged as a central hub of immune dysregulation. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis highlighted “neutrophil activation involved in immune response” as the top biological process. Our findings suggest that IL-1R2 functions as a key immunoregulatory molecule and represents a promising therapeutic target. Moreover, we observed distinct patterns of oxidative stress regulation and immune cell activation, with potential biomarkers correlating with disease severity. These insights not only enhance the molecular understanding of sepsis but also point toward novel precision therapeutic strategies focused on modulating inflammation to improve patient outcomes.