[Relation of mesenteric lymph node and innate immune function in septic rats].

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Cellular Biology
• Pathophysiology

Context:

• Sepsis, a life-threatening condition, triggers a complex immune response.
• The mesenteric lymph node (MLN) is a critical site for immune surveillance of the gut.
• Understanding immune cell dynamics in sepsis is crucial for developing effective treatments.

Purpose:

• To investigate the dynamic changes in T helper 1 (Th1) and T helper 2 (Th2) cells within the MLN and peripheral blood of septic rats.
• To assess the role of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the immune response during sepsis.

Summary:

• Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in rats induced significant alterations in Th1/Th2 cell ratios in both blood and MLN.
• The MLN showed an initial increase in the Th1/Th2 ratio, followed by a significant decrease, indicating suppressed cellular immune function.
• A notable increase in the percentage of Tregs in the MLN was observed during sepsis, correlating negatively with the Th1/Th2 ratio.

Impact:

• The findings suggest that severe intra-abdominal infection suppresses MLN immune function, potentially through endotoxin translocation.
• This suppression is associated with an increased percentage of Tregs, contributing to overall immune suppression during sepsis.
• The study highlights the Th1/Th2 cell shift as a key manifestation of immune dysregulation in sepsis.