ENDOTHELIAL CELL DERIVED CYTOKINES IN THE LIVER AND LUNGS DURING SEPSIS / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

To investigate the role of endothelial cell derived cytokines in sepsis induced liver and lung injury. Sepsis was induced in mice by cecal ligation and puncture(CLP). Sham operation group underwent the same manipulation but without CLP. The gene expressions of pro inflammatory cytokines (TNF?, IL 1? and IL 6) in pulmonary and hepatic microvascular endothelial cells were assessed by RT PCR. The results showed that TNF? and IL 1? mRNA levels markedly increased at 3h after CLP in both pulmonary and hepatic microvascular endothelial cells. Though at 12h after CLP both of them declined, the levels were still higher than those in sham group. IL 6 mRNA expression also increased significantly at 3h after CLP in both pulmonary and hepatic microvascular endothelial cells. At 12h after CLP, the expression of IL 6 mRNA in hepatic microvascular endothelial cells remained at a high level, while the level in pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells became higher. It suggested that endothelium is an important source of pro inflammatory cytokines in the liver and lung tissues during sepsis.