ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the changes in natural Killer (NK) cell subsets definetd by CD11b and CD27 in the spleen of septic mice.Methods A total of 168 pathogen-free healthy male C57BL/6 mice,weighing 20-30 g,aged 8-10 weeks,were divided into 2 groups (n=84 cach) using a random number table:sham operation group (Sham group) and sepsis group (Sep group).Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture in chloral hydrate-anesthetized mice.Thirty mice in each group were selected to assess the survival within 4 days after operation,and the survival rate was calculated.At 2,4,6,24,48 and 72 h after operation (T1-6),6 mice were randomly selected,and blood samples were taken from the eyeballs for determination of serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-10 concentrations by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Six mice were randomly selected at T4-6 and sacrificed,and the spleens were removed for measurement of the percentage of NK cells and their subsets by flow cytometry.Results Compared with Sham group,the survival rate was significantly decreased at different time points,the serum necrosis factor-alpha concentration at T1-3,6 and serum interleukin-10 concentration at T3-6 were increased,the percentage of NK cells was decreased at T4-6,the percentage of CD27-CD11b+NK cells was decreased and the percentage of CD27+CD11b+ and CD27+CD11b-NK cells was increased at T5,the percentage of CD27-CD11b-NK ceils was decreased at T4,5,and the percentage of CD27-CD11b-NK cells was increased at T6 in Sep group (P＜0.05).Conclusion Changes in NK cell subsets defined by CD11b and CD27 in the spleen play an important role in the development of sepsis in mice.