Unraveling the synergy of inflammation and apoptosis in sepsis-induced acute lung injury: Insights and therapeutic perspectives (Review)

Sepsis refers to the state of the body exhibited after an uncontrolled reaction to infection. This is marked by the impaired function of multiple organs, with the lungs often being impacted. Individuals affected by sepsis often suffer acute lung injury, which may advance to a more serious acute respiratory distress syndrome. Inflammatory responses and apoptosis are key in the onset and progression of sepsis‑induced acute lung injury (SALI). The present review examines the pathogenesis of SALI, emphasizing the synergistic roles of inflammatory responses and apoptosis as well as their effect on lung tissue. An overactivated inflammatory response can exacerbate lung tissue damage and promote the occurrence of apoptosis. Meanwhile, excessive apoptosis can further intensify the inflammatory response, therefore resulting in a vicious cycle. The present review also discusses therapeutic strategies that target the synergistic effects of inflammation and apoptosis, including NF‑κB pathway inhibitors, MAPK signaling pathway inhibitors, antioxidants, mesenchymal stem cell therapy and biologics. Despite the progress made to date in understanding the synergistic effects of inflammation and apoptosis, there are still numerous areas that require further exploration, such as the complex molecular regulatory networks connecting inflammation and apoptosis as well as the impact of clinical individual differences on this synergy, which require further investigation to ultimately translate mechanistic findings into targeted therapies, thus providing new insights and approaches for the treatment of SALI.