Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026
Colon Ascendens Stent Peritonitis (CASP) - a Standardized Model for Polymicrobial Abdominal Sepsis
Published on: December 18, 2010
Interleukin 8 mRNA gene expression in peripheral and intra-abdominal neutrophils during human secondary peritonitis
Katharina Holzer1, Florian Schübel, Patrick Konietzny
1Department of General Surgery, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, D-60590 Frankfurt, Germany. holzer@em.uni-frankfurt.de
Abstract:
The aim of the study was to investigate interleukin 8 (IL-8) mRNA gene expression in circulating and emigrated intra-abdominal neutrophils during human secondary peritonitis intra- and postoperatively (until 96 h). Patients with secondary peritonitis were allocated to two groups, e.g., patients with no complications (n = 10) and patients with complications (organ failure, septic shock, etc., n = 9). Patients with elective abdominal surgery (n = 11) and a group with healthy volunteers (n = 7) were studied as controls. Neutrophil RNA was isolated and semiquantitative reverse transcription-PCR was performed. The PCR products were compared with corresponding GAPDH bands (=100%). The highest amount of IL-8 mRNA could be assessed in blood neutrophils of healthy volunteers (87.4% +/- 7.4%). Complicated peritonitis was associated with the lowest concentration of IL-8 mRNA in blood neutrophils intraoperatively (24% +/- 7%, P < 0.05), which showed no recovery throughout the observation period (34% +/- 8%, 96 h postoperatively). IL-8 mRNA concentration in blood neutrophils of patients with uncomplicated peritonitis and patients with elective abdominal surgery was higher intraoperatively (55.2% +/- 9% (uncomplicated peritonitis); 68% +/- 15% (elective abdominal surgery, P < 0.05 versus complicated peritonitis). Thereafter, IL-8 mRNA decreased slightly in both groups, but was distinctly higher than in patients with complicated peritonitis. Emigration to the abdominal cavity resulted in an approximately 2-fold, in some cases 3-fold, increase in the concentration of IL-8 mRNA in emigrated intra-abdominal neutrophils when compared with circulating cells. This increase could be observed in all groups. The long-lasting down-regulation of constitutive gene expression of IL-8 mRNA in blood neutrophils during complicated peritonitis is worrying because IL-8 is an important activator and chemoattractant for neutrophils themselves. It is encouraging that migration to another compartment, e.g., infected abdominal cavity, resulted in an increase in neutrophil IL-8 mRNA during complicated and uncomplicated peritonitis.
Insights
Interleukin 8 (IL-8) mRNA expression in neutrophils is down-regulated in complicated peritonitis. However, migrating to the infected abdominal cavity boosts IL-8 mRNA in neutrophils, even in severe cases.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Surgical Infections
Background:
- Secondary peritonitis is a severe condition often leading to complications like organ failure and septic shock.
- Neutrophils play a critical role in the inflammatory response to infection.
- Interleukin 8 (IL-8) is a key chemokine involved in neutrophil recruitment and activation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate interleukin 8 (IL-8) mRNA gene expression in circulating and emigrated intra-abdominal neutrophils.
- To compare IL-8 mRNA levels in patients with secondary peritonitis (complicated vs. uncomplicated), elective abdominal surgery, and healthy controls.
- To assess the dynamic changes in IL-8 mRNA expression intraoperatively and up to 96 hours postoperatively.
Main Methods:
- Recruitment of patients with secondary peritonitis, elective abdominal surgery, and healthy volunteers.
- Isolation of neutrophil RNA from blood and intra-abdominal samples.
- Semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to measure IL-8 mRNA expression relative to GAPDH.
Main Results:
- Healthy volunteers showed the highest IL-8 mRNA levels in blood neutrophils.
- Patients with complicated peritonitis exhibited significantly lower IL-8 mRNA in blood neutrophils, with no recovery observed postoperatively.
- Emigration to the abdominal cavity led to a 2-3 fold increase in IL-8 mRNA concentration in neutrophils across all groups, including those with complicated peritonitis.
Conclusions:
- The sustained down-regulation of IL-8 mRNA in blood neutrophils during complicated peritonitis is concerning due to IL-8's role in neutrophil function.
- Neutrophil migration into the infected abdominal cavity enhances IL-8 mRNA expression, suggesting a localized response mechanism.
- These findings highlight the complex regulation of IL-8 in peritonitis and the potential for localized immune responses.
