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Updated: May 9, 2026

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Exosomes in Lipopolysaccharide-induced Septic Lung Injury
Published on: May 21, 2018
IL-27 is elevated in acute lung injury and mediates inflammation
Fang Xu1, Qiong Liu, Shihui Lin
1Department of Emergency and Intensive Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Abstract:
Cytokines play a critical role in the development of acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Here we investigated whether IL-27 was elevated in patients with ALI/ARDS and its potential clinical significance. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and serum samples were obtained from 58 ALI/ARDS patients, and 25 control healthy volunteers. IL-27 and other inflammatory mediators were measured in BAL and serum by ELISA. Besides, a mouse model of cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced lung inflammation/injury was established, and serum, BAL fluid and tissues were collected for analyses in the presence or absence of IL-27 neutralizing antibodies. BAL IL-27 was found to be significantly higher in patients with ALI/ARDS than that in controls, particularly of pulmonary origin; serum IL-27 was also significantly higher. Increased IL-27 was associated with markers of inflammation, and correlated with disease severity of patients in ALI/ARDS. In a mouse model of CLP-induced lung inflammation/injury, elevated IL-27 levels were observed in the lung, serum, and BAL fluids. IL-27 neutralizing antibody treatment reduced pulmonary inflammation and lung injury and improved mouse survival in response to CLP. Therefore, IL-27 is a critical cytokine in ALI/ARDS and inhibition of IL-27 may open a promising approach for ALI/ARDS patients.
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