Endogenous MCP-1 promotes lung inflammation induced by LPS and LTA

Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) plays an important role in leukocyte recruitment to sites of infection and inflammation. In addition, MCP-1 may attenuate inflammation by virtue of its capacity to inhibit the production of proinflammatory cytokines. We here investigated the role of MCP-1 in lung inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or lipoteichoic acid (LTA), constituents of the gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial cell wall, respectively. Healthy humans demonstrated elevated MCP-1 concentrations in their bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) 6h after inhalation of LPS. Similarly, intranasal administration of LPS or LTA to mice resulted in a rise in BALF MCP-1 levels. Murine alveolar macrophage-like cells released significant amounts of MCP-1 upon stimulation with LPS or LTA in vitro. Compared to Wt mice, MCP-1(-/-) mice demonstrated lower TNF-α levels and a diminished neutrophil influx into their bronchoalveolar space after either LPS or LTA instillation. After intrapulmonary delivery of LPS MCP-1(-/-) mice had decreased interleukin-6 and KC concentrations and less severe lung inflammation upon histopathological examination. Remarkably, MCP-1 deficiency was associated with an early enhancement of interleukin-10 release in BALF after both LPS and LTA instillation. These data suggest that MCP-1 is a proinflammatory mediator during pulmonary inflammation induced by either LPS or LTA.