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Updated: Jul 30, 2026
Long Term Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa Airway Infection in Mice
Published on: March 17, 2014
Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids modulate lung inflammatory response induced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in mice
Stéphane Auvin1, François Collet, Frédéric Gottrand
1EA 2689, Faculté de Médecine de Lille, 59045 Lille, France.
Abstract:
Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) immunomodulatory properties have been studied extensively in chronic infections. Few studies have focused on acute infection; thus, PUFA effects in a mouse model of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA)-induced lung injury were evaluated. C57BL/6 mice were randomized to be fed for 3 wk with an eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) diet, an arachidonic acid (AA) diet, or a control diet [saturated fatty acids]. Lung injury was induced by intratracheal instillation of 10(7) CFU of PA per mouse. In each diet group, animals were studied either without or after PA-inducing lung injury. Evaluation criteria were early mortality; inflammatory response assessed with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-1beta, IL-6 and IL-10 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage; lung injury evaluation; and extravascular lung water, assessed 24 h after the injury. After PA-induced lung injury, no difference in early mortality was observed; TNF-alpha level was significantly higher in the EPA diet than in the other two diet groups. No difference for the other cytokines was found among the groups. Lung edema was also more important in the EPA group, consistent with the variations of TNF-alpha levels. Our study clearly shows that in PA-induced acute lung injury, n-3 PUFA induces differences in the inflammatory response with a higher level of lung edema. Modulation of the inflammatory response with n-3 PUFA can influence the response to a bacterial challenge.
Insights
In acute lung injury from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, diets rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), increased lung inflammation and edema. This suggests n-3 PUFA can alter the immune response to bacterial infections.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Nutritional Science
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are known for immunomodulatory effects, primarily studied in chronic infections.
- Limited research exists on PUFA impacts during acute infections, necessitating investigation into their role in bacterial-induced lung injury.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of specific diets, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and arachidonic acid (AA), on the inflammatory response and lung injury in a mouse model of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA)-induced acute lung injury.
Main Methods:
- C57BL/6 mice were fed control, EPA, or AA diets for 3 weeks.
- Acute lung injury was induced via intratracheal instillation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
- Evaluated early mortality, inflammatory markers (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, lung injury, and extravascular lung water.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in early mortality were observed among the diet groups.
- Mice on the EPA diet exhibited significantly higher levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) post-injury compared to control and AA groups.
- Increased lung edema and extravascular lung water were noted in the EPA group, correlating with elevated TNF-alpha levels.
Conclusions:
- In Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced acute lung injury, diets rich in n-3 PUFA (EPA) can exacerbate the inflammatory response, leading to increased lung edema.
- Modulation of the inflammatory response by n-3 PUFA can significantly influence the host's reaction to bacterial challenges.
