Interferon-β in Combination with Nicotinamide Riboside Offers Protection Against Sepsis: Preclinical Findings

Synopsis

Sepsis is a severe, often fatal condition in which the body’s immune response to infection causes widespread inflammation and organ failure. This study found that combining interferon-β (IFN-β), an immune-regulating protein, with nicotinamide riboside (NR), a vitamin B3–derived NAD+ booster, offers strong protection against sepsis by preventing damage to blood vessel linings (endothelium). In a mouse model of sepsis, the combination therapy significantly reduced vascular leakage, improved survival, and protected organ function, but these benefits disappeared in mice lacking SIRT1, a key NAD+-dependent enzyme in endothelial cells. The treatment worked by activating the SIRT1/heparinase 1 pathway, which helps maintain the integrity of blood vessels during severe infection. These findings suggest that IFN-β and NR together could form an effective new therapy to stabilize blood vessels and reduce mortality in patients with sepsis and related complications.

Journal

BMB Reports