Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 20, 2026
Stereotactic Atlas-Guided Laser Capture Microdissection of Brain Regions Affected by Traumatic Injury
Published on: September 11, 2017
Initial posttraumatic translocation of NF-kappaB and TNF-alpha mRNA expression in peripheral blood monocytes of
Peter Biberthaler1, Julia Stegmaier, Verena Mayer
1Chirurgische Klinik, Klinikum Innenstadt Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München, Germany. peter.bessler@med.uni-muenchen.de
Abstract:
Post-traumatic inflammation is connected to monocyte dysfunction characterized by reduced NF-kappaB translocation during the first post-traumatic days. Because the exact dynamic of monocytic NF-kappaB translocation in patients directly after trauma remains unclear, the aim of this pilot study was to measure the intranuclear presence of NF-kappaB in monocytes from patients with multiple injuries initially after the trauma and during the early post-traumatic period and to compare these results with downstream-placed mRNA expression alteration of TNF-alpha, as well as with clinical data. Eleven patients were enrolled with an Injury Severity Score of 16 to 66 points, and blood samples were drawn on admission within 90 min and at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after trauma. NF-kappaB translocation of monocytic nuclear protein was analyzed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and was quantified by densitometry as arbitrary units. In addition, monocytes of healthy volunteers were analyzed either native (-, control) or after LPS stimulation (+, control). For determination of downstream mRNA encoding for TNF-alpha, quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR was performed. For both parameters, the negative control values were set as baseline (=1) and results from positive controls and patients were given as a relative alteration ratio without unit. Initial post-traumatic NF-kappaB translocation was significantly increased in trauma patients on admission (88 +/- 37) and 6 h after trauma (59 +/- 28) compared with the baseline level. In contrast, TNF-alpha mRNA was not increased on admission (1.7 +/- 0.9) and decreased even below baseline after 12 h. The substantial information of our study arises from the analysis of the dynamic of NF-kappaB translocation of monocytes. Enabled by closely matched sequential blood sampling strictly standardized to the traumatic event, an essential increase of monocytic signal transduction and transcription could be elucidated in the very early post-traumatic period, which precedes the down-regulation of the innate immune system.
Insights
Early trauma response shows increased nuclear NF-kappaB in monocytes, indicating heightened immune signaling. This precedes the later decrease in TNF-alpha mRNA, revealing a critical early immune system dynamic post-injury.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Trauma Research
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Post-traumatic inflammation is linked to monocyte dysfunction.
- Reduced NF-kappaB translocation is observed in early post-trauma periods.
- The precise dynamics of monocytic NF-kappaB translocation after trauma are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure intranuclear NF-kappaB in monocytes of multiple injury patients immediately after trauma and during early recovery.
- To compare NF-kappaB translocation with TNF-alpha mRNA expression and clinical data.
- To elucidate the early dynamics of monocytic NF-kappaB translocation post-trauma.
Main Methods:
- Eleven severely injured patients (ISS 16-66) were enrolled.
- Blood samples collected at admission (within 90 min) and 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 h post-trauma.
- NF-kappaB translocation assessed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay; TNF-alpha mRNA by quantitative RT-PCR.
Main Results:
- Monocytic NF-kappaB translocation was significantly elevated on admission and at 6 h post-trauma compared to baseline.
- TNF-alpha mRNA levels did not increase on admission and decreased below baseline by 12 h.
- Early post-traumatic NF-kappaB increase precedes the down-regulation of the innate immune system.
Conclusions:
- A significant increase in monocytic NF-kappaB translocation occurs very early after trauma.
- This early signaling event in monocytes precedes the observed decrease in TNF-alpha mRNA.
- Understanding this early immune response dynamic is crucial for trauma management.
