Modulation of lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung inflammation: Role of insulin

The present study was undertaken to investigate the influence of insulin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury. Diabetic male Wistar rats (alloxan, 42 mg/kg, i.v., 30 days) and controls were instilled with saline containing LPS (750 microg/0.4 mL) or saline alone. The following analyses were performed 6 h there after: (a) total and differential cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, (b) quantification of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL) 1beta, IL-10, and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant 1 in the BAL (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), (c)immunohistochemistry for intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and E-selectin on lung vessels, and (d) quantification of metalloproteinases (MMP) 2 and 9 in the BAL (zymography). Relative to controls, diabetic rats exhibited a reduction in the number of neutrophils (80%) and reduced concentrations of tumor necrosis factor alpha (56%), IL-1beta (66%), and IL-10 (35%) after LPS instillation. Cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant 1 levels did not differ between groups. Increased levels of MMP-2 (90%) and MMP-9 (500%) were observed in diabetic rats compared with controls. Treatment of diabetic rats with neutral protamine Hagedorn insulin (4 IU, s.c.), 2 h before LPS instillation, completely restored the number of neutrophils and concentrations of cytokines in the BAL fluid. Despite no significant differences between diabetic and control groups, there was a remarkable increase in intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and E-selectin expression on lung vessels after insulin treatment. Levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 did not change after treatment with insulin. Levels of corticosterone were equivalent among groups. Data presented suggest that insulin modulates the production/release of cytokines and the expression of adhesion molecules controlling, therefore, neutrophil migration during the course of LPS-induced acute lung inflammation.     

Anti-inflammatory effects of moxifloxacin on activated human monocytic cells: inhibition of NF-kappaB and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation and of synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines

We previously showed that moxifloxacin (MXF) exerts protective anti-inflammatory effects in immunosuppressed mice infected with Candida albicans by inhibiting interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) production in the lung. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated inhibition of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB translocation in lung epithelium and macrophages in MXF-treated mice. In the present study we investigated the effects of MXF on the production of proinflammatory cytokines (i.e., IL-8, TNF-alpha, and IL-1beta) by activated human peripheral blood monocytes and THP-1 cells and analyzed the effects of the drug on the major signal transduction pathways associated with inflammation: NF-kappaB and the mitogen-activated protein kinases ERK and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). The levels of IL-8, TNF-alpha, and IL-1beta secretion rose 20- and 6.7-fold in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated monocytes and THP-1 cells, respectively. MXF (5 to 20 microg/ml) significantly inhibited cytokine production by 14 to 80% and 15 to 73% in monocytes and THP-1 cells, respectively. In THP-1 cells, the level of NF-kappaB nuclear translocation increased fourfold following stimulation with LPS-phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), and this was inhibited (38%) by 10 microg of MXF per ml. We then assayed the degradation of inhibitor (I)-kappaB by Western blotting. LPS-PMA induced degradation of I-kappaB by 73%, while addition of MXF (5 microg/ml) inhibited I-kappaB degradation by 49%. Activation of ERK1/2 and the 46-kDa p-JNK protein was enhanced by LPS and LPS-PMA and was significantly inhibited by MXF (54 and 42%, respectively, with MXF at 10 microg/ml). We conclude that MXF suppresses the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in human monocytes and THP-1 cells and that it exerts its anti-inflammatory effects in THP-1 cells by inhibiting NF-kappaB, ERK, and JNK activation. Its anti-inflammatory properties should be further assessed in clinical settings.     

白细胞介素-10对急性肺损伤炎症/抗炎介质表达的影响

目的探讨白细胞介素-10(IL—10)对急性肺损伤(ALI)大鼠炎症介质／抗炎介质表达的影响。方法向气道内滴注内毒素(LPS，10mg／kg)建立大鼠ALI模型。54只雄性SD大鼠随机分为对照组、LPS损伤组、LPS加IL-10组，每组18只，各组又分为2、6和24h3个亚组，每个亚组各6只。按各时间点观察大鼠动脉血氧分压(PaO2)、支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中细胞总数及分类计数、肺系数、BALF总蛋白水平及肺病理，同时用逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT—PCR)方法检测肺组织中炎症介质／抗炎介质的表达。结果①LPS损伤组大鼠PaO2呈进行性降低；肺系数、BALF总蛋白水平及BALF中细胞总数均明显增加，分类以中性粒细胞为主；肺病理示肺内中性粒细胞大量浸润，伴出血、透明膜形成。LPS加IL-10组的各项指标均较LPS损伤组减轻。②LPS损伤组肺组织肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF—α)mRNA表达于2h达高峰，随后迅速下降；白细胞介素-1β(IL—1β)mRNA表达于2h显著升高，6h达高峰，随后迅速下降；IL-1受体拮抗剂(IL—1ra)mRNA表达6h开始升高，且为峰值。24h仍高于对照组。LPS加IL-10组肺组织TNF—αmRNA、IL-1βmRNA表达受抑，而IL—1ra mRNA表达不受影响。结论①ALI早期TNF—αmRNA、IL-1βmRNA表达明显增加，而IL—1ra mRNA表达滞后，提示在无外来干预情况下，ALI早期存在炎症介质／抗炎介质的失衡。②IL-10可明显抑制炎症介质表达，不影响抗炎介质表达，有利于重建炎症介质／抗炎介质平衡，减轻LPS所致ALI。     

Effects of partial liquid ventilation on lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory responses in rats

To determine whether partial liquid ventilation (PLV) modified lung inflammatory response, we analyzed blood cytokine levels and cytokine mRNA expression in the lungs, using a rat model of endotoxemia. Thirty-six rats were allocated into one of four groups. The first group received conventional gas ventilation (CV group), the second group received 10 ml/kg perflubron intratracheally in combination with mechanical gas ventilation (PLV group), the third group received 20 mg/kg Escherichia coli lipopolyssacharide (LPS) intravenously in combination with mechanical gas ventilation (LPS group), and the fourth group received PLV and LPS (PLV + LPS group). Blood levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10, INF-gamma and IL-1 receptor antagonist were significantly increased in LPS and PLV + LPS groups. mRNA expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the lung tissue was also significantly increased in these groups. mRNA expression of IL-6 in PLV + LPS group was significantly increased in comparison with LPS group. Other cytokine mRNA expression including IL-10 and IL-1beta was also potentiated in PLV + LPS group, however this was not significant. Our results suggest that PLV does not protect the lungs against inflammation in systemic endotoxemia in rats.     

Regulatory effects of endogenous interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein in immunoglobulin G immune complex-induced lung injury.

IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) has regulatory effects on IL-1 activity both in vitro and in vivo. In the IgG immune complex model of lung injury in rats, exogenously administered human IL-1Ra suppressed neutrophil recruitment and ensuing lung injury. In this study, we sought to determine if endogenous rat IL-1Ra might regulate this lung-inflammatory response. By Northern blot analysis of lung mRNA and Western analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids, rat IL-1Ra expression was found to increase during development of inflammation in IgG immune complex-mediated alveolitis. By immunostaining, alveolar macrophages and recruited neutrophils were the apparent sources of IL-1Ra. In vivo blocking of endogenous IL-1Ra resulted in a 53% increase in lung vascular permeability and a 180% increase in BAL fluid neutrophils. In companion studies, a significant increase in IL-1beta was found, whereas no significant change in TNF-alpha activity was observed. Whereas the in vivo regulatory effects of IL-1R appear to be limited to IL-1beta, IL-10 regulates both IL-1beta and TNF-alpha in this model, reflected by a 48% increase in BAL IL-1beta in rats treated with anti-IL-10. These findings suggest that IL-1Ra is an intrinsic regulator of inflammatory injury after deposition of IgG immune complexes and that it regulates production of IL-1beta.     

内毒素致伤大鼠肺组织促炎与抗炎细胞因子mRNA表达的时相性研究

目的 研究不同剂量内毒素致伤大鼠肺组织促炎和抗炎细胞因子mRNA表达的时相性,并探讨这些细胞因子在全身炎症反应失控和急性肺损伤中的可能作用。方法 采用逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)检测不同剂量脂多糖(LPS)致伤大鼠肺组织肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素(IL)-1β、IL-6、IL-4、IL-10和IL-13的mRNA表达。结果 随着LPS剂量增加,TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6、IL-4、IL-10和IL-13的mRNA表达均增强(与生理盐水对照组比较,P均<0.01);LPS≥6 mg/kg组上述细胞因子表达显著高于此剂量以下组(P均<0.01)。表达峰值时间:TNF-α为1 h,IL-6为4 h,其他均在2 h。结论 内毒素致急性肺损伤中,TNF-α是早期表达的促炎细胞因子,而IL-6在炎症进一步发展中发挥作用;抗炎细胞因子IL-4、IL-10、IL-13高表达亦可能促进炎症的放大而不是起保护作用。     

Endotoxin stimulates in vivo expression of inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha,interleukin-1beta, -6, and high-mobility-group protein-1 in skeletal muscle

The presence of increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the blood is associated with decreased muscle protein synthesis and the erosion of lean body mass in many catabolic conditions. However, little is known regarding the role of endogenous cytokine synthesis in muscle per se. The purpose of the present study was to characterize the cytokine expression profile of skeletal muscle in response to an in vivo injection of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS). Intraperitoneal injection of a nonlethal dose of LPS (1,000 microg/kg Escherichia coli) into male rats increased the mRNA content of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin (IL)-1beta in gastrocnemius muscle as early as 1 h; IL-6 mRNA was not increased until 2 h post-LPS. Expression of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta peaked at 2 h (10- and 80-fold, respectively), whereas the increased IL-6 mRNA content (150-fold) peaked later at 4 h. The abundance of all measured cytokine mRNAs in skeletal muscle declined thereafter. The LPS-induced increase in muscle mRNA content for TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-1beta was dose-dependent with elevations being seen with as little as 10 microg/kg of LPS (2.5-, 8-, and 9-fold, respectively). In general, pretreatment of rats with dexamethasone attenuated but did not completely prevent the LPS-induced increase in muscle cytokine mRNA. LPS increased muscle TNF-alpha protein content approximately 2-fold and this increase was prevented by pretreatment with dexamethasone. LPS-induced increases in muscle IL-1beta and IL-6 protein were not detected. LPS also produced a 2-fold increase in the mRNA content of the high-mobility-group protein-1, a late-phase cytokine, in muscle at 12-24 h. Finally, although skeletal muscle was found to contain both the toll-like receptor (TLR)-2 and TLR4, LPS did not alter the mRNA content of TLR4 and produced a small (50%) but significant increase in TLR2 mRNA. These changes in TLRs were less dramatic than those observed for liver, spleen or cardiac muscle. Collectively these data indicate that skeletal muscle possesses many of the components of the innate immune system, including increases in both early- and late-phase cytokines and the presence of toll-like receptors.     

Ventilator-induced injury augments interleukin-1beta production and neutrophil sequestration in lipopolysaccharide-treated lungs

Mechanical ventilators are commonly used to support critically ill patients; however, inappropriate ventilator settings might initiate or augment lung injury. To determine whether a large tidal volume (Vt) augments inflammatory responses and neutrophil sequestration in the lungs of rats receiving intratracheal lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Rats received intratracheal instillation of LPS (0.5 mg/kg) followed by 4 h of mechanical ventilation (MV) at 60 strokes per min with a Vt of 10 mL/kg as control MV, or 30 strokes per min with a Vt of 20 mL/kg of body weight as high-volume MV (HMV). In addition, monoclonal antibodies against rat intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) or immunoglobulin G (50 mg/kg) were administered 30 min before LPS instillation and MV. Our study demonstrates that HMV enhances pulmonary permeability and induces neutrophil recruitment into the alveolar space and pulmonary edema. Intratracheal instillation of LPS caused marked lung injury, neutrophil recruitment, and production of cytokines and chemokines. Combining LPS instillation and HMV synergistically upregulated interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) production and neutrophil sequestration in lung tissues. The ICAM-1 expression in lung tissues was responsible for the synergistic effects of neutrophil sequestration. Synergistic upregulation of IL-1beta production and neutrophil sequestration was attenuated by blocking ICAM-1 by neutralizing antibody pretreatment. High Vt MV in LPS-injured lung causes synergistic production of IL-1beta and sequestration of neutrophil via ICAM-1-dependent effects.     

Reduced cytokine production by glycogen-elicited peritoneal cells from diabetic rats

IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-2alpha/beta, and IL-10 measurements were performed in elicited peritoneal cells from control, diabetic, and insulin-treated diabetic rats. Production/liberation of these cytokines was decreased in elicited peritoneal cells from diabetic rats. These changes were abolished by insulin treatment of diabetic rats. The alterations observed might be involved in the impaired inflammatory response and high occurrence of apoptosis observed in neutrophils under diabetic states.     

失血性休克大鼠器官组织中促炎细胞因子表达及释放的时相性研究

目的探讨休克后促炎细胞因子表达释放的时相性变化。方法80只SD大鼠被随机分为失血性休克组（40只）和对照组（40只）。于休克后30、60和90min及复苏后30min和90min各处死8只大鼠，采用逆转录-聚合酶链反应（RT～PCR）检测失血性休克后各时间点肠、肝、肺组织内肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF—α）、白细胞介素-1β（IL-1β）、IL-6的mRNA表达，采用酶联免疫吸附试验（ELISA）双抗体夹心法测定血清中TNF—α、IL-6的含量。结果①休克30min时，肠、肝、肺组织中促炎细胞因子的mRNA表达均未见升高；休克60min肠道首先出现TNF—α mRNA表达升高（P〈0．05），而肝脏在休克90min时表达开始升高（P〈0．01），肺脏则在复苏后30min表达开始升高（P〈0．05）。复苏后90min肠、肝、肺组织中TNF—α mRNA表达仍高于对照组（P均〈0．01）。TNF—α mRNA在肠、肝、肺内的表达升高最早，其后才是IL-1β mRNA和IL-6 mRNA。②休克30min门静脉血和下腔静脉血中TNF—α、IL-6的含量与对照组比较差异均无显著性，而休克60min时门静脉血中TNF—α含量显著升高（P〈0．05）；休克90min、复苏后30min和90min门静脉血和下腔静脉血中TNF—α、IL-6含量均较对照组显著升高（P均〈0．01）。结论失血性休克时细胞因子的释放顺序县肠道、肝脏和肺脏。椎测存在“肠→肝→肺”细胞因子释放轴。     

Beta-glucan attenuates inflammatory cytokine release and prevents acute lung injury in an experimental model of sepsis

Sepsis is one of the most important risk factors in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). beta-Glucan is a potent reticuloendothelial modulating agent, the immunobiological activity of which is mediated in part by an increase in the number and function of macrophages. In this study, we investigated the putative protective role of beta-glucan against sepsis-induced lung injury. Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in Wistar rats. The control group received saline, and the treatment groups received beta-glucan or beta-glucan + beta-1,3-D-glucanase. Five hours thereafter, plasma tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, interleukin (IL) 1beta, and IL-6 levels were determined. Presence of lung injury was determined via lung tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) 1 levels, and histopathological examination at 18 h after CLP. In a separate set of experiments, survival was monitored for 7 days after CLP. beta-Glucan treatment led to a significant increase in survival rate (63% in glucan-treated rats vs 38% in saline-treated rats). Administration of the beta-glucan inhibitor abrogated beta-glucan's survival benefit (50%). After CLP, plasma TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6 concentrations were increased in control animals. When beta-glucan was administered, it completely blocked the elevation of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6. Administration of beta-1,3-D-glucanase suppressed glucan-induced decrease in cytokines. Animals treated with beta-glucan showed a significant reduction in lung injury score, a marked decrease in ICAM-1 expression, and a significant decrease in MPO levels. In contrast, beta-1,3-D-glucanase caused a significantly increased MPO and ICAM-1 levels in the lung. These data reveal that beta-glucan treatment improved the course of CLP-induced peritonitis and attenuated the lung injury. Administration of beta-glucanase inhibited the beta-glucan activity and resulted in enhanced lung injury.     

Endotoxin increases parathyroid hormone-related protein mRNA levels in mouse spleen. Mediation by tumor necrosis factor.

Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) causes hypercalcemia in malignancy. However, the role and regulation of PTHrP in normal physiology is just beginning to be explored. PTHrP is found in the spleen and has several other features common to cytokines. Since endotoxin (LPS) causes many of its effects indirectly by inducing cytokines, studies were undertaken to determine whether LPS might also induce splenic PTHrP expression. LPS (100 ng/mouse) increased splenic PTHrP mRNA levels 3.6-fold in C3H/OuJ mice. This effect was maximal at 2 h and returned to baseline by 4 h. PTHrP peptide levels also increased 3.3-fold in splenic extracts in response to LPS (1 microgram/mouse). Murine TNF-alpha and human IL-1 beta, cytokines that mediate many of the effects of LPS, also increased splenic PTHrP mRNA levels. LPS-resistant C3H/HeJ mice, which produce minimal amounts of TNF and IL-1 in response to LPS, were resistant to LPS induction of splenic PTHrP mRNA, while TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta readily increased PTHrP mRNA levels in C3H/HeJ mice. Anti-TNF antibody blocked LPS induction of splenic PTHrP mRNA in C3H/OuJ mice by 68%, indicating that TNF is a mediator of the LPS induction of PTHrP levels. In contrast, an IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) was ineffective. The increase in PTHrP in the spleen during the immune response suggests that PTHrP may play an important role in immune modulation, perhaps by mediating changes in lymphocyte proliferation and/or function.     

Modulation of toll-like receptor 4 expression on human monocytes by tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-6: tumor necrosis factor evokes lipopolysaccharide hyporesponsiveness,whereas interleukin-6 enhances lipopolysaccharide activity

Toll-like receptors (TLR) play a pivotal role in the innate immune response, and the expression levels of these receptors may reflect the sensitivity of immune cells to infections. The binding of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to TLR-4 triggers human monocytes to produce cytokines, which play a dominant role in the inflammatory response, as can be observed during sepsis and after polytrauma. Here, we evaluated TLR-4 expression of isolated monocytes in the presence of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL) 6, IL-8, and IL-10, and we investigated cellular activation of this treatment. TNF-alpha significantly down-regulated TLR-4 mRNA expression after 6 h (100% vs. 38.5% +/- 4%; P < 0.05). This down-regulation was followed by a dose- and time-dependent diminished expression of TLR-4 surface protein (100% vs. 8.0% +/- 5%; P < 0.01). Forty-eight hours after TNF-alpha treatment, a reduced nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB translocation and a diminished IL-6 secretion after LPS stimulation were found (100% vs. 42.0% +/- 23%; P < 0.05). In contrast, IL-6 incubation upregulated TLR-4 cell surface protein (100% vs. 165.8% +/- 24%; P < 0.05) and increased the ability to activate NF-kappaB and AP-1 after LPS stimulation. Stimulation with IL-8 or IL-10 had no significant effects. We conclude that not only LPS but also TNF-alpha and IL-6 have the potency to regulate the immune response via TLR-4. Down-regulation of TLR-4 by TNF-alpha is associated with LPS hyporeactivity for NF-kappaB formation, whereas upregulation of TLR-4 via IL-6 can increase the responsiveness of mononuclear phagocytes.     

Protective effects of rhizoma paridis total saponins on septic rats

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of rhizoma paridis total saponins and its mechanism on septic rats. METHODS: Septic model was reproduced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in Wistar rats. Rhizoma paridis total saponins was administered to observe its protective effects on septic rats. Blood was collected to determine serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1beta(IL-1beta)levels at 2, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours after operation by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The pathological changes of lung tissue were observed with light microscope at 72 hours after operation. The peritoneal macrophages (PMZ) in rats were isolated and the release of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta in PMZ after exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 100 mug/L) were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Mortality in the rhizoma paridis total saponins group was significantly lower than the CLP group (50.0% vs. 85.0%, P<0.05). The levels of TNF-alphaand IL-1beta in serum were significantly lower than those of the CLP group at the same time (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The degree of inflammatory injury to the lung was much milder than that in the CLP group. In the in vitro experiment, it was shown that rhizoma paridis total saponins in concentrations of 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg/L could inhibit remarkably the release of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta from LPS-stimulated PMZ of rats (all P<0.01). The differences in TNF-alpha levels among the groups showed no statistically significant difference(all P>0.05). The level of IL-1beta in 5 mg/L group was significantly higher than that of the 10 mg/L group (P<0.05), but showed no difference with those of 20 mg/L and 40 mg/L groups (both P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Rhizoma paridis total saponins can protect the CLP rats by inhibiting the activation of rat PMPhi to release cytokines and ameliorating acute lung injury.     

重组白细胞介素-10/Fc融合蛋白对内毒素诱导急性肺损伤小鼠的实验干预作用

目的 探讨重组白细胞介素-10(rIL-10)/Fc融合蛋白对内毒素诱导的急性肺损伤(ALl)小鼠炎症调控作用及其机制.方法 向气管内注射脂多糖(LPS)制成ALl动物模型;rIL-10/Fc融合蛋白采用腹腔内给药方式.132只小鼠被随机均分为正常对照组、rIL-10/Fc对照组、ALl模型组、rIL-10/Fc治疗组.每组选择25只小鼠观察24 h存活率;其余用于检测支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中自细胞数量,肿瘤坏死因子-a(TNF-a)和IL-1β水平,以及肺组织髓过氧化物酶(MPO)活性、肺组织湿/干重(W/D)比值;光镜下观察肺组织病理学改变.结果 注射LPS后4 h可引起BALF中TNF-a和IL-1β显著升高(P均＜0.01),rIL-10/Fc治疗组较ALI模型组有所降低,但差异无统计学意义;但在8 h和12 h,rIL-10/Fc融合蛋白能显著抑制BALF中TNF-a产生,在12 h抑制IL-1β产生;并明显改善LPS注射24 h后实验动物的存活率(P＜0.01).rIL-10/Fc对LPS诱导的ALI小鼠BALF中白细胞数量、肺组织MPO活性、肺组织W/D比值无显著改变.注射LPS 24 h后,肺组织出现了明显的炎性改变,但在rlL-10/Fc融合蛋白干预后没有出现显著的差异.结论 rIL-10/Fc融合蛋白能显著抑制LPS诱导的ALI小鼠肺促炎细胞因子产生,改善预后.     

TNF-alpha mediates chemokine and cytokine expression and renal injury in cisplatin nephrotoxicity

The purpose of these studies was to examine the role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of cisplatin nephrotoxicity. Injection of mice with cisplatin (20 mg/kg) led to severe renal failure. The expression of cytokines, chemokines, and ICAM-1 in kidney was measured by ribonuclease protection assays and RT-PCR. We found significant upregulation of TNF-alpha, TGF-beta, RANTES, MIP-2, MCP-1, TCA3, IL-1beta, and ICAM-1 in kidneys from cisplatin-treated animals. In addition, serum, kidney, and urine levels of TNF-alpha measured by ELISA were increased by cisplatin. Inhibitors of TNF-alpha production (GM6001, pentoxifylline) and TNF-alpha Ab's reduced serum and kidney TNF-alpha protein levels and also blunted the cisplatin-induced increases in TNF-alpha, TGF-beta, RANTES, MIP-2, MCP-1, and IL-1beta, but not ICAM-1, mRNA. In addition, the TNF-alpha inhibitors also ameliorated cisplatin-induced renal dysfunction and reduced cisplatin-induced structural damage. Likewise, TNF-alpha-deficient mice were resistant to cisplatin nephrotoxicity. These results indicate cisplatin nephrotoxicity is characterized by activation of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. TNF-alpha appears to play a central role in the activation of this cytokine response and also in the pathogenesis of cisplatin renal injury.