Hemorrhagic shock-activated neutrophils augment TLR4 signaling-induced TLR2 upregulation in alveolar macrophages: role in hemorrhage-primed lung inflammation

Hemorrhagic shock renders patients susceptible to the development of acute lung injury in response to a second inflammatory stimulus by as yet unclear mechanisms. We investigated the role of neutrophils (PMN) in alveolar macrophage (AMphi) priming, specifically, the role in mediating Toll-like receptor (TLR)4 and TLR2 cross talk in AMphi. Using a mouse model of hemorrhagic shock followed by intratracheal administration of LPS, we explored a novel function of shock-activated PMN in the mechanism of TLR2 upregulation induced by LPS-TLR4 signaling in AMphi. We showed that antecedent hemorrhagic shock enhanced LPS-induced TLR2 upregulation in AMphi. In neutropenic mice subjected to shock, the LPS-induced TLR2 expression was significantly reduced, and the response was restored upon repletion with PMN obtained from shock-resuscitated mice but not by PMN from sham-operated mice. These findings were recapitulated in mouse AMphi cocultured with PMN. The enhanced TLR2 upregulation in AMphi augmented the expression of macrophage inflammatory protein-2, TNF-alpha, and macrophage migration inhibitory factor in the AMphi in response to sequential challenges of LPS and peptidoglycan, a prototypical TLR2 ligand, which physiologically associated with amplified AMphi-induced PMN migration into air pouch and lung alveoli. Thus TLR2 expression in AMphi, signaled by TLR4 and regulated by shock-activated PMN, is an important positive-feedback mechanism responsible for shock-primed PMN infiltration into the lung after primary PMN sequestration.     

Limited contribution of Toll-like receptor 2 and 4 to the host response to a fungal infectious pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans

The present study was designed to elucidate the role of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and TLR4 in the host response to Cryptococcus neoformans. Both TLR2 knockout (KO) and TLR4KO mice produced interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-6, IL-12p40 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in sera and cleared this fungal pathogen from infected lungs at a comparable level to control littermate (LM) mice. Synthesis of these cytokines was not significantly different in the lungs of these KO mice and LM mice, although IL-1beta, IL-6 and IL-12p40 tended to be lower in TLR2KO, but not TLR4KO, mice than in controls. In addition, there was no significant reduction detected in the synthesis of IL-12 and TNF-alpha by bone marrow-derived dendritic cells from TLR2KO and TLR4KO mice upon stimulation with live yeast cells. Finally, HEK293 cells expressing either TLR2/dectin-1 or TLR4/MD2/CD14 did not respond to C. neoformans in the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NFkappaB) detected by a luciferase assay. Our results suggest that TLR2 and TLR4 do not or only marginally contribute to the host and cellular response to this pathogen.     

Role of TNF-alpha in myocardial dysfunction after hemorrhagic shock and lower-torso ischemia

Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (RAAA) repair, a combination of hemorrhagic shock and lower-torso ischemia, is associated with a 50-70% mortality. Myocardial dysfunction may contribute to the high rate of mortality after aneurysm repair. We attempted to determine whether RAAA repair results in cardiac dysfunction mediated by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). We modeled aortic rupture and repair in the rat by inducing hemorrhagic shock to a mean blood pressure of 50 mmHg for 1 h, followed by supramesenteric clamping of the aorta for 45 min. After 90 min of reperfusion, cardiac contractile function was assessed with a Langendorff preparation. Myocardial TNF-alpha, ATP and creatine phosphate (CP) levels, and markers of oxidant stress (F(2)-isoprostanes) were measured. Cardiac function in the combined shock and clamp rats was significantly depressed compared with sham-operated control rats but was similar to that noted in animals subjected to shock alone. Myocardial TNF-alpha concentrations increased 10-fold in the combined shock and clamp rats compared with sham rats, although there was no difference in myocardial ATP, CP, or F(2)-isoprostanes. TNF-alpha neutralization improved cardiac function by 50% in the combined shock and clamp rats. Hemorrhagic shock is the primary insult inducing cardiac dysfunction in this model of RAAA repair. An improvement in cardiac contractile function after immunoneutralization of TNF-alpha indicates that TNF-alpha mediates a significant portion of the myocardial dysfunction in this model.     

Toll-like receptor-2, but not Toll-like receptor-4, is essential for development of oviduct pathology in chlamydial genital tract infection

The roles of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and TLR4 in the host inflammatory response to infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis have not been elucidated. We examined production of TNF-alpha and IL-6 in wild-type TLR2 knockout (KO), and TLR4 KO murine peritoneal macrophages infected with the mouse pneumonitis strain of C. trachomatis. Furthermore, we compared the outcomes of genital tract infection in control, TLR2 KO, and TLR4 KO mice. Macrophages lacking TLR2 produced significantly less TNF-alpha and IL6 in response to active infection. In contrast, macrophages from TLR4 KO mice consistently produced higher TNF-alpha and IL-6 responses than those from normal mice on in vitro infection. Infected TLR2-deficient fibroblasts had less mRNA for IL-1, IL-6, and macrophage-inflammatory protein-2, but TLR4-deficient cells had increased mRNA levels for these cytokines compared with controls, suggesting that ligation of TLR4 by whole chlamydiae may down-modulate signaling by other TLRs. In TLR2 KO mice, although the course of genital tract infection was not different from that of controls, significantly lower levels of TNF-alpha and macrophage-inflammatory protein-2 were detected in genital tract secretions during the first week of infection, and there was a significant reduction in oviduct and mesosalpinx pathology at late time points. TLR4 KO mice responded to in vivo infection similarly to wild-type controls and developed similar pathology. TLR2 is an important mediator in the innate immune response to C. trachomatis infection and appears to play a role in both early production of inflammatory mediators and development of chronic inflammatory pathology.     

A low level of TNF-alpha mediates hemorrhage-induced acute lung injury via p55 TNF receptor

Acute lung injury after hemorrhagic shock (HS) is associated with the expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in the lung. However, the role of TNF-alpha and its receptors in this pulmonary disorder remains obscure. This study examined the temporal relationship of pulmonary TNF-alpha production to neutrophil accumulation during HS and determined the role of TNF-alpha in neutrophil accumulation and lung leak. HS was induced in mice by removal of 30% of total blood volume. Lung TNF-alpha was measured by ELISA. Neutrophil accumulation was detected by immunofluorescent staining, and microvascular permeability was assessed using Evans blue dye. Although HS induced a slight and transient increase in lung TNF-alpha, neutrophil accumulation preceded the increase in TNF-alpha. However, lung neutrophil accumulation and lung leak were abrogated in TNF-alpha knockout mice, and both were restored by administration of recombinant TNF-alpha to TNF-alpha knockout mice before HS. Neutrophil accumulation and lung leak were abrogated in mice lacking the p55 TNF-alpha receptor, but neither was influenced by p75 TNF-alpha receptor knockout. This study demonstrates that a low level of pulmonary TNF-alpha is sufficient to mediate HS-induced acute lung injury during HS and that the p55 TNF-alpha receptor plays a dominant role in regulating the pulmonary inflammatory response to HS.     

The role of MAPK in Kupffer cell toll-like receptor (TLR) 2-, TLR4-, and TLR9-mediated signaling following trauma-hemorrhage

Severe injury deranges immune function and increases the risk of sepsis and multiple organ failure. Kupffer cells play a major role in mediating posttraumatic immune responses, in part via different Toll-like receptors (TLR). Although mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) are key elements in the TLR signaling pathway, it remains unclear whether the activation of different MAPK are TLR specific. Male C3H/HeN mice underwent midline laparotomy (i.e., soft tissue injury), hemorrhagic shock (MAP approximately 35 mm Hg for 90 min), and resuscitation. Kupffer cells were isolated 2 h thereafter, lysed and immunoblotted with antibodies to p38, ERK1/2, or JNK proteins. In addition, cells were preincubated with specific inhibitors of p38, ERK1/2, or JNK MAPK followed by stimulation with the TLR2 agonist, zymosan; the TLR4 agonist, LPS; or the TLR9 agonist, CpG DNA. Cytokine (TNF-alpha, interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and KC) production was determined by cytometric bead array after 24 h in culture. MAPK activity as well as TNF-alpha, MCP-1, and KC production by Kupffer cells were significantly increased following trauma-hemorrhage. TLR4 activation by LPS stimulation increased the levels of all measured cytokines. CpG-stimulated TLR9 signaling increased TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels; however, it had no effect on chemokine production. Selective MAPK inhibition demonstrated that chemokine production was mediated via p38 and JNK MAPK activation in TLR2, -4, and -9 signaling. In contrast, TNF-alpha and IL-6 production was differentially regulated by MAPK depending on the TLR pathway stimulated. Thus, Kupffer cell TLR signaling employs different MAPK pathways in eliciting cytokine and chemokine responses following trauma-hemorrhage.     

Bone marrow-derived cells contribute to contractile dysfunction in endotoxic shock

How infection precipitates depressed contractility is incompletely understood but may involve the immune, nervous, and endocrine systems as well as the heart itself. In this study, we examined the role of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in LPS-induced myocardial contractile depression. Eighteen hours following endotoxin challenge, we compared contractile responses in hearts from wild-type (WT) and TLR4-deficient mice using modified Langendorff preparations. Unlike hearts from WT mice, TLR4-deficient hearts did not reveal significant contractile dysfunction following LPS administration, as measured by decreased responses in maximal left ventricular pressure, +dP/dtmax, and -dP/dtmax in ex vivo Langendorff preparations. These findings indicate a requirement for TLR4 in LPS-induced contractile depression. To determine the contribution of bone marrow-derived TLR4 function to LPS-induced myocardial dysfunction, we generated TLR4 chimeras using adoptive transfer between histocompatible mouse strains: either TLR4-deficient mice with TLR4+/+ bone marrow-derived cells or TLR4+/+ animals lacking TLR4 in their hematopoietic cells. We then compared the contractile responses of engrafted animals after LPS challenges. Engraftment of TLR4-deficient mice with WT marrow restored sensitivity to the myocardial depressant effects of LPS in TLR4-deficient hearts (P < 0.05). Inactivation of bone marrow-derived TLR4 function, via transplantation of WT mice with TLR4-/- marrow, however, did not protect against the depressant effect of endotoxin. These findings indicate that bone marrow-derived TLR4 activity is sufficient to confer sensitivity to mice lacking TLR4 in all other tissues. However, because inactivation of marrow-derived TLR4 function alone does not protect against endotoxin-triggered contractile dysfunction, TLR4 function in other tissues may also contribute to this response.     

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha induces leptin production through the p55 TNF receptor

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha acts directly on adipocytes to increase production of the lipostatic factor, leptin. However, which TNF receptor (TNFR) mediates this response is not known. To answer this question, leptin was measured in plasma of wild-type (WT), p55, and p75 TNFR knockout (KO) mice injected intraperitoneally with murine TNF-alpha and in supernatants from cultured WT, p55, and p75 TNFR KO adipocytes incubated with TNF-alpha. Leptin also was measured in supernatants from C3H/HeOuJ mouse adipocytes cultured with blocking antibodies to each TNFR and TNF-alpha as well as in supernatants from adipocytes incubated with either human or murine TNF-alpha, which activate either one or both TNFR, respectively. The results using all four strategies show that the induction of leptin production by TNF-alpha requires activation of the p55 TNFR and that although activation of the p75 TNFR alone cannot cause leptin production, its presence affects the capability of TNF-alpha to induce leptin production through the p55 TNFR. These results provide new information on the interplay between cells of the immune system and adipocytes.     

Toll-like receptor 2 modulates left ventricular function following ischemia-reperfusion injury

Production of proinflammatory cytokines contributes to cardiac dysfunction during ischemia-reperfusion. The principal mechanism responsible for the induction of this innate stress response during periods of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion remains unknown. Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) is a highly conserved pattern recognition receptor that has been implicated in the innate immune response to a variety of pathogens. However, TLR2 may also mediate inflammation in response to noninfectious injury. We therefore hypothesized that TLR2 is essential for modulating myocardial inflammation and left ventricular (LV) function during ischemia-reperfusion injury. Susceptibility to myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury following ischemia-reperfusion was determined in Langendorff-perfused hearts isolated from wild-type mice and mice deficient in TLR2 (TLR2D) and Toll interleukin receptor domain-containing adaptor protein. After ischemia-reperfusion, contractile performance was significantly impaired in hearts from wild-type mice as demonstrated by a lower recovery of LV developed pressure relative to TLR2D hearts. Creatinine kinase levels were similar in both groups after reperfusion. Contractile dysfunction in wild-type hearts was associated with elevated cardiac levels of TNF and IL-1beta. Ischemia-reperfusion-induced LV dysfunction was reversed by treatment with the recombinant TNF blocking protein etanercept. These studies show for the first time that TLR2 signaling importantly contributes to the LV dysfunction that occurs following ischemia-reperfusion. Thus disruption of TLR2-mediated signaling may be helpful to induce immediate or delayed myocardial protection from ischemia-reperfusion injury.     

Deficiency in myeloid differentiation factor-2 and toll-like receptor 4 expression attenuates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and fibrosis in mice

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and its coreceptor, myeloid differentiation factor-2 (MD-2), are key in recognition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and activation of proinflammatory pathways. Here we tested the hypothesis that TLR4 and its coreceptor MD-2 play a central role in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and liver fibrosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Mice of control genotypes and those deficient in MD-2 or TLR4 [knockout (KO)] received methionine choline-deficient (MCD) or methionine choline-supplemented (MCS) diet. In mice of control genotypes, MCD diet resulted in NASH, liver triglycerides accumulation, and increased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, a marker of lipid peroxidation, compared with MCS diet. These features of NASH were significantly attenuated in MD-2 KO and TLR4 KO mice. Serum alanine aminotransferase, an indicator of liver injury, was increased in MCD diet-fed genotype controls but was attenuated in MD-2 KO and TLR4 KO mice. Inflammatory activation, indicated by serum TNF-α and nictoinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase complex mRNA expression and activation, was significantly lower in MCD diet-fed MD-2 KO and TLR4 KO compared with corresponding genotype control mice. Markers of liver fibrosis [collagen by Sirius red and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) staining, procollagen-I, transforming growth factor-β1, α-SMA, matrix metalloproteinase-2, and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 mRNA] were attenuated in MD-2 and TLR4 KO compared with their control genotype counterparts. In conclusion, our results demonstrate a novel, critical role for LPS recognition complex, including MD-2 and TLR4, through NADPH activation in liver steatosis, and fibrosis in a NASH model in mice.     

Toll-like receptor 4 expression is required to control chronic Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in mice

Endotoxin from Gram-negative bacteria bound to CD14 signals through Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4, while components of Gram-positive bacteria, fungi, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb.) preferentially use TLR2 signaling. We asked whether TLR4 plays any role in host resistance to M.tb. infection in vivo. Therefore, we infected the TLR4 mutant C3H/HeJ mice and their controls, C3H/HeN mice, with M.tb. by aerosol. TLR4 mutant mice had a reduced capacity to eliminate mycobacteria from the lungs, spread the infection to spleen and liver, with 10-100 times higher CFU organ levels than the wild-type mice and succumbed within 5-7 mo, whereas most of the wild-type mice controlled infection and survived the duration of the experiment. The lungs of TLR4 mutant mice showed chronic pneumonia with increased neutrophil infiltration, reduced macrophages recruitment, and abundant acid-fast bacilli. Furthermore, the pulmonary expression of TNF-alpha, IL-12p40, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 was significantly lower in C3H/HeJ mice when compared with the wild-type controls. C3H/HeJ-derived macrophages infected in vitro with M.tb. produced lower levels of TNF-alpha. Finally, the purified mycobacterial glycolipid, phosphatidylinositol mannosides, induced signaling in both a TLR2- and TLR4-dependent manner, thus suggesting that recognition of phosphatidylinositol mannosides in vivo may influence the development of protective immunity. In summary, macrophage recruitment and the proinflammatory response to M.tb. are impaired in TLR4 mutant mice, resulting in chronic infection with impaired elimination of mycobacteria. Therefore, TLR4 signaling is required to mount a protective response during chronic M.tb. infection.     

TNF-alpha receptor signaling and IL-10 gene therapy regulate the innate and humoral immune responses to recombinant adenovirus in the lung

Recombinant adenovirus-mediated gene therapy has demonstrated great promise for the delivery of genes to the pulmonary epithelium. However, dose-dependent inflammation and local immune responses abbreviate transgene expression. The purpose of these studies was to determine the role of TNF-alpha and individual TNF receptor signaling to adenovirus clearance and immune responses, and whether coexpression of human IL-10 could reduce inflammation and extend the duration of transgene expression in the lung. beta-Galactosidase expression in mice receiving intratracheal instillation of Adv/beta-gal (adenovirus construct expressing beta-galactosidase) was transient (less than 14 days), but a significant early increase of beta-galactosidase expression was seen in mice lacking either or both TNF-alpha receptors. Absence of TNF-alpha or the p55 receptor significantly attenuated the Ab response to both adenovirus and beta-galactosidase. Human IL-10 expression in the lung suppressed local TNF-alpha production following AdV/hIL-10 (adenovirus construct expressing human IL-10) delivery, but did not lead to increased or prolonged transgene expression when coexpressed with beta-galactosidase. Expression of human IL-10 following AdV/hIL-10 instillation extended at least 14 days, was nonimmunogenic, and suppressed the development of neutralizing Abs against adenoviral proteins as well as against human IL-10. We conclude that TNF-alpha signaling through both the p55 and p75 receptor plays important roles in the clearance of adenoviral vectors and the magnitude of the humoral immune response. Additionally, although coexpression of human IL-10 with beta-galactosidase had only modest effects on transgene expression, we demonstrate that AdV/hIL-10 is well tolerated, has extended expression compared with beta-galactosidase, and is nonimmunogenic in the lung.     

The effects of hemorrhagic shock on thyrotropin-releasing hormone and its receptors in discrete regions of rat brain

The effects of hemorrhagic shock on thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) levels and its receptors were studied in different regions of the rat brain. Rats were bled for 30 min from the left femoral artery, and their mean arterial pressure was kept at 40 mmHg for the following hour. The rats were killed by decapitation. Rat brains were immediately removed and dissected into 7 regions. Hemorrhagic shock decreased TRH significantly in the frontal cortex, septum, hippocampus, and hindbrain but TRH was not changed in the striatum, hypothalamus, and midbrain. Hemorrhagic shock significantly decreased TRH receptor binding in the septum and hindbrain. Scatchard analysis of saturation isotherms of specific TRH binding showed that the decreased specific TRH binding in the hindbrain resulted not from an increase of the dissociation constant (Kd), but from a decrease in the maximum number of binding sites (Bmax). In the septum, the decrease in specific binding was due both to a decrease in Bmax and an increase in Kd. The findings indicate that TRH plays a role in the physiological response to hemorrhagic shock.     

Critical roles of myeloid differentiation factor 88-dependent proinflammatory cytokine release in early phase clearance of Listeria monocytogenes in mice

Listeria monocytogenes (LM), a facultative intracellular Gram-positive bacterium, often causes lethal infection of the host. In this study we investigated the molecular mechanism underlying LM eradication in the early phase of infection. Upon infection with LM, both IL-12 and IL-18 were produced, and then they synergistically induced IFN-gamma production, leading to normal LM clearance in the host. IFN-gamma knockout (KO) mice were highly susceptible to LM infection. IL-12/IL-18 double knockout mice were also highly susceptible. Their susceptibility was less than that of IFN-gamma KO mice, but more than that of single IL-12 or IL-18 KO mice. Mice deficient in myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), an essential adaptor molecule used by signal transduction pathways of all members of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) family, showed an inability to produce IL-12 and IFN-gamma following LM infection and were most susceptible to LM. Furthermore, MyD88-deficient, but not IFN-gamma-deficient, Kupffer cells could not produce TNF-alpha in response to LM in vitro, indicating the importance of MyD88-dependent TNF-alpha production for host defense. As TLR2 KO, but not TLR4 KO, mice showed partial impairment in their capacity to produce IL-12, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha, TLR2 activation partly contributed to the induction of IL-12-mediated IFN-gamma production. These results indicated a critical role for TLRs/MyD88-dependent IL-12/TNF-alpha production and for IL-12- and IL-18-mediated IFN-gamma production in early phase clearance of LM.     

LPS-induced liver injury in D-galactosamine-sensitized mice requires secreted TNF-alpha and the TNF-p55 receptor

Lipopolysaccharide and D-galactosamine induced lethality and apoptotic liver injury is dependent on endogenously produced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. The present study was undertaken to determine whether membrane-associated or secreted TNF-alpha signaling through the p55 or p75 receptor was responsible for survival and hepatic injury after lipopolysaccharide administration in D-galactosamine-sensitized mice. Transgenic mice expressing null forms of TNF-alpha, the p55 and p75 receptor, and mice expressing only a cell-associated form of TNF-alpha were challenged with 8 mg D-galactosamine and 100 ng lipopolysaccharide. Mortality and apoptotic liver injury were only seen in wild-type and p75 knockout mice. p75 Knockout mice had significantly higher concentrations of plasma TNF-alpha than any other experimental group (P 相似文献   

Myocardial ischemia activates an injurious innate immune signaling via cardiac heat shock protein 60 and Toll-like receptor 4

Innate immune response after transient ischemia is the most common cause of myocardial inflammation and may contribute to injury, yet the detailed signaling mechanisms leading to such a response are not well understood. Herein we tested the hypothesis that myocardial ischemia activates interleukin receptor-associated kinase-1 (IRAK-1), a kinase critical for the innate immune signaling such as that of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), via a mechanism that involves heat shock proteins (HSPs) and TLRs. Coronary artery occlusion induced a rapid myocardial IRAK-1 activation within 30 min in wild-type (WT), TLR2(-/-), or Trif(-/-) mice, but not in TLR4(def) or MyD88(-/-) mice. HSP60 protein was markedly increased in serum or in perfusate of isolated heart following ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). In vitro, recombinant HSP60 induced IRAK-1 activation in cells derived from WT, TLR2(-/-), or Trif(-/-) mice, but not from TLR4(def) or MyD88(-/-) mice. Both myocardial ischemia- and HSP60-induced IRAK-1 activation was abolished by anti-HSP60 antibody. Moreover, HSP60 treatment of cardiomyocytes (CMs) led to marked activation of caspase-8 and -3, but not -9. Expression of dominant-negative mutant of Fas-associated death domain protein or a caspase-8 inhibitor completely blocked HSP60-induced caspase-8 activation, suggesting that HSP60 likely activates an apoptotic program via the death-receptor pathway. In vivo, I/R-induced myocardial apoptosis and cytokine expression were significantly attenuated in TLR4(def) mice or in WT mice treated with anti-HSP60 antibody compared with WT controls. Taken together, the current study demonstrates that myocardial ischemia activates an innate immune signaling via HSP60 and TLR4, which plays an important role in mediating apoptosis and inflammation during I/R.     

Sublethal hemorrhagic shock reduces tumor necrosis factor-alpha-producing capacity in different cell compartments

Hemorrhagic shock results in a severe impairment of the immune response. Immunological alterations after hemorrhagic shock thus appear to be responsible for reduced resistance to infectious agents commonly observed after shock and severe injury. In the present study we examined the TNF-alpha-producing capacity of immune cells derived from different organs after sublethal shock in rats. Hemorrhagic shock was established by pressure controlled bleeding to a mean arterial pressure of 35 mm Hg for 35-40 min and consecutive resuscitation in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Twenty four hours after shock, TNF-a production in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS, Salmonella friedenau) stimulation was measured in isolated spleen, bone marrow and blood cells. TNF-a production could be induced by stimulation with 1 ng/ml, in blood, spleen and bone marrow cells collected from sham-operated animals. A maximal stimulation was observed in all cell types after stimulation with 10 ng/ml LPS and could not be further increased with LPS doses of 100 ng/ml. Hemorrhagic shock of 35 mm Hg for 35-40 min, with consecutive resuscitation did not result in mortality, in contrast to a 4 hours lasting hemorrhagic shock resulting in 80% mortality. Blood, spleen or bone marrow cells, harvested from animals 24 hours after sublethal hemorrhagic shock, showed a significantly reduced TNF-alpha production in all cell populations after LPS stimulation. Serum collected from animals 2 hours after sublethal hemorrhagic shock contained an activity not present either before or 24 hours after shock, that downregulated LPS-induced TNF-alpha production in rat whole blood cultures and the murine macrophage cell line J774. The inhibitory activity present in serum, 2 hours after shock is not IL-10 since this mediator was not detectable in any serum sample. However, in the serum samples with TNF-alpha-inhibitory activity, elevated levels of PGE2 metabolites were found, which suggests the involvement of prostaglandins in trauma-induced immunosuppression. Altered TNF-a expression might be partially explained by an inhibitory activity in the serum already present 2 hours after shock. Since adequate, but not overwhelming TNF-alpha production is essential for host response, the altered cytokine formation might explain local and systemic susceptibility to infections after hemorrhagic shock.     

The MyD88-dependent, but not the MyD88-independent, pathway of TLR4 signaling is important in clearing nontypeable haemophilus influenzae from the mouse lung

TLRs are important for the recognition of conserved motifs expressed by invading bacteria. TLR4 is the signaling receptor for LPS, the major proinflammatory component of the Gram-negative cell wall, whereas CD14 serves as the ligand-binding part of the LPS receptor complex. Triggering of TLR4 results in the activation of two distinct intracellular pathways, one that relies on the common TLR adaptor MyD88 and one that is mediated by Toll/IL-1R domain-containing adaptor-inducing IFN-beta (TRIF). Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is a common Gram-negative respiratory pathogen that expresses both TLR4 (LPS and lipooligosaccharide) and TLR2 (lipoproteins) ligands. To determine the roles of CD14, TLR4, and TLR2 during NTHi pneumonia, the following studies were performed: 1) Alveolar macrophages from CD14 and TLR4 knockout (KO) mice were virtually unresponsive to NTHi in vitro, whereas TLR2 KO macrophages displayed a reduced NTHi responsiveness. 2) After intranasal infection with NTHi, CD14 and TLR4 KO mice showed an attenuated early inflammatory response in their lungs, which was associated with a strongly reduced clearance of NTHi from the respiratory tract; in contrast, in TLR2 KO mice, lung inflammation was unchanged, and the number of NTHi CFU was only modestly increased at the end of the 10-day observation period. 3) MyD88 KO, but not TRIF mutant mice showed an increased bacterial load in their lungs upon infection with NTHi. These data suggest that the MyD88-dependent pathway of TLR4 is important for an effective innate immune response to respiratory tract infection caused by NTHi.