Conclusions Apoptosis is an important mechanism of lymphocyte and gastrointestinal
epithelial cell death in sepsis. Although abundant in vitro studies indicate that endothelial
cell apoptosis can occur in response to certain pathogenic organisms (eg, Rickettsia
rickettsii), data documenting endothelial cell apoptosis in in vivo models of sepsis are
lacking. Because endothelial cells that undergo apoptosis detach from the vessel basement
membrane, enter the circulation, and are rapidly cleared, it may be difficult to detect …