[The role of LPS in the CD14 expression and the activation of Kupffer cells].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the effect of LPS on the expression of CD14 and the activation of Kupffer cells (KCs).


METHODS
Rat KCs were isolated and cultured with LPS. Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR methods were employed to determine the changes in the CD14 expression and the concentration of TNFalpha, IL-6 and NO in the supernatant of the cultured KCs with LPS.


RESULTS
(1) The expression of CD14mRNA and the synthesis of CD14 protein in the KCs increased evidently when stimulated by various concentrations of LPS, and the CD14mRNA expression was correlated in dose-dependent manner with LPS levels. (2) The expression of CD14mRNA and the synthesis of CD14 protein in KCs induced by LPS (10 micro g/ml) increased significantly and peaked at 3 approximately 6 hours. (3) The expression of CD14mRNA and the synthesis of CD14 protein in freshly cultured KCs were obviously up-regulated by the active mediators produced by KCs after being stimulated by LPS. (4) The release of TNFalpha, IL-6 and NO from cultured KCs was evidently down-regulated by the addition of anti-CD14McAb in the presence of serum or by the addition of LPS in the absence of serum, but up-regulated by the concomitant addition of LPS and LBP.


CONCLUSIONS
(1) The CD14mRNA expression and the protein synthesis in cultured KCs were closely related to LPS and the active mediators produced from the KCs.The increased CD14 expression was possibly caused by LPS, and the further increase of the expression might be closely correlated to the cytokines released from the KCs. (2) The KC activation by low concentration of LPS was CD14 dependent.
Feng
Junming
J
Research Institute of Pathology, Southwestern Hospital, The Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, P.R. China.
Liu
Yousheng
Y
Shi
Jingquan
J
Zhang
Rong
R
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D007728:Kupffer Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
D015850:Interleukin-6; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D009569:Nitric Oxide