Published in:
Open Access 01-12-2013 | Research
NF-κB activation in myeloid cells mediates ventilator-induced lung injury
Published in: Respiratory Research | Issue 1/2013
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Background
Although use of the mechanical ventilator is a life-saving intervention, excessive tidal volumes will activate NF-κB in the lung with subsequent induction of lung edema formation, neutrophil infiltration and proinflammatory cytokine/chemokine release. The roles of NF-κB and IL-6 in ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) remain widely debated.
Methods
To study the molecular mechanisms of the pathogenesis of VILI, mice with a deletion of IкB kinase in the myeloid cells (IKKβ△mye), IL-6-/- to WT chimeric mice, and C57BL/6 mice (WT) were placed on a ventilator for 6 hr.
WT mice were also given an IL-6-blocking antibody to examine the role of IL-6 in VILI.
Results
Our results revealed that high tidal volume ventilation induced pulmonary capillary permeability, neutrophil sequestration, macrophage drifting as well as increased protein in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). IL-6 production and IL-1β, CXCR2, and MIP2 expression were also increased in WT lungs but not in those pretreated with IL-6-blocking antibodies. Further, ventilator-induced protein concentrations and total cells in BALF, as well as lung permeability, were all significantly decreased in IKKβ△mye mice as well as in IL6-/- to WT chimeric mice.
Conclusion
Given that IKKβ△mye mice demonstrated a significant decrease in ventilator-induced IL-6 production, we conclude that NF-κB–IL-6 signaling pathways induce inflammation, contributing to VILI, and IкB kinase in the myeloid cells mediates ventilator-induced IL-6 production, inflammation, and lung injury.