Related Experiment Videos
Blunt chest trauma induces delayed splenic immunosuppression.
Markus W Knöferl1, Ulrich C Liener, Mario Perl
1Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Ulm, 89075 Ulm, Germany. markus.knoeferl@medizin.uni-ulm.de
Shock (Augusta, Ga.)
|June 18, 2004
Summary
Blunt chest trauma impairs immune cells distant from injury. This study shows pulmonary contusion causes significant dysfunction in lymphocytes and splenic macrophages, impacting immune response.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Trauma Research
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Severe blunt chest trauma often leads to multiple organ failure and sepsis.
- Posttraumatic immunosuppression is implicated, but immune alterations after pulmonary contusion are unclear.
- The effect on immune cells distant from the injury site is unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of pulmonary contusion on lymphocytes and splenic macrophages.
- To characterize immunologic alterations in immune cells distant from blunt chest trauma.
Main Methods:
- Mice subjected to blunt chest trauma via focused blast wave.
- Isolation and stimulation of splenocytes and splenic macrophages at 2 and 24 hours post-trauma.
- Quantification of cytokine release (IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-3, IL-10, IL-12, IL-18, TNF-alpha, IL-6) via ELISA.
Main Results:
- Elevated plasma TNF-alpha and IL-6 at 2 hours post-trauma.
- Depressed splenocyte cytokine release observed at 24 hours.
- Decreased splenic macrophage production of TNF-alpha, IL-10, IL-12, and increased IL-18 at 2 hours.
Conclusions:
- Blunt chest trauma induces significant immunodysfunction in lymphocytes and splenic macrophages.
- Pulmonary contusion causes distant immune cell dysfunction, potentially contributing to post-traumatic complications.