Migratory responses of PMN after intraperitoneal and intratracheal administration of lipopolysaccharide

S Hirano1

  • 1Regional Environment Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Ibaraki, Japan. seishiro@nies.go.p

Insights

Intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection causes polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) to accumulate in lung blood vessels. Pre-treatment with LPS inhibits PMN lung infiltration, suggesting potential treatments for septic lung diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Pulmonary Medicine
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a potent endotoxin that triggers inflammatory responses.
  • Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) play a critical role in host defense and inflammation.
  • Understanding PMN migration is crucial for treating inflammatory lung diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate PMN accumulation in lung vasculature after intraperitoneal LPS injection.
  • To examine the migratory response of intravascular PMN to intratracheal LPS.
  • To explore the potential therapeutic implications of LPS administration on lung inflammation.

Main Methods:

  • Mice and rats were administered LPS via intraperitoneal injection and/or intratracheal instillation.
  • Circulating LPS and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) levels were measured.
  • PMN accumulation in lung vasculature and infiltration into alveolar spaces were assessed.
  • Plasma protein leakage into the alveolar space was quantified.

Main Results:

  • Intraperitoneal LPS rapidly increased circulating LPS and TNF levels, peaking at 1 hour.
  • A significant 7.5-fold increase in lung vascular-associated PMN was observed 0.5 hours post-intraperitoneal LPS.
  • Pre-treatment with intraperitoneal LPS dose-dependently inhibited both intratracheal LPS-induced PMN infiltration and plasma leakage into the alveolar space.
  • Intratracheal LPS enhanced peritoneal PMN infiltration, while intraperitoneal LPS reduced transpulmonary PMN infiltration in rats.

Conclusions:

  • Intraperitoneal LPS induces PMN accumulation in lung vasculature but inhibits subsequent transpulmonary PMN migration.
  • Prior systemic LPS exposure can modulate inflammatory responses in the lungs.
  • The inhibitory effect of intraperitoneal LPS on transpulmonary PMN infiltration may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for septic lung diseases.