The immune system typically can ramp up the body's defenses to clear out an invading threat without issue. Glitches can happen, however, with sepsis occurring when the mustered army of cells also attacks the body's own tissues and organs as if they were enemy combatants. Sepsis is dangerous, particularly when it isn't treated early, and it can lead to the even more deadly condition of septic shock -- a massive drop in blood pressure that can quickly damage organs by starving them of nutrients. Scientists demonstrate the promise of a new approach to uncovering potential treatments for sepsis.

The immune system can typically ramp up the body's defenses to clear out an invading threat without issue. Glitches can happen, however, with sepsis occurring when the mustered army of cells also attacks ...