The outcome of polymicrobial sepsis is independent of T and B cells

The contribution of the adaptive and innate immune systems to the pathogenesis and outcome of sepsis remains a fundamental yet controversial question. Here, we use mice lacking the recombination activating gene 1 (Rag-1) to study the role of T and B cells in sepsis after cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Spleens of Rag-1 mice were atrophic and completely devoid of CD3 T cells and CD19 B cells. Wild-type mice and Rag-1 mice (both on a C57BL/6J background) underwent CLP or sham surgery. Both wild-type and Rag-1 mice developed clinical signs of sepsis within the first day after CLP. This included severe hypothermia as measured by a decrease in body surface temperature and organ dysfunction as detected by plasma increases in blood urea nitrogen and lactate dehydrogenase levels. Survival curves of wild-type and Rag-1 mice after CLP were superimposable, with 35% survival in the wild-type group and 27% survival in the Rag-1 group, respectively (not significant, P = 0.875). Using multiplex bead-based assays, the mediator concentrations for 23 cytokines and chemokines were measured in plasma of wild-type and Rag-1 mice 8 h after CLP or sham surgery. Compared with sham surgery mice, the highest mediator levels were observed for granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, keratinocyte chemoattractant, IL-6, monocyte chemotactic protein 1, and IL-10. Levels for most mediators were unaffected by the absence of T and B lymphocytes. Only the concentrations of IL-6 and IL-17 were found to be significantly lower in Rag-1 mice compared with wild-type mice. In conclusion, the absence of T and B cells in the CLP model used does not appear to affect the acute outcome of severe sepsis.