2003•Europe PMC (PubMed Central)Requires access
mRNA expression of TLR4 and IL-18 in alveolar macrophages of old rats with acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide
Xiaofei Cao, Zhang De-ming, Den Qinnan.
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Abstract
To study the expression and role of Toll-like receptor4 (TLR4) and IL-18 in alveolar macrophages (AM#phi#) of old rats stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase (RT-PCR) and ELISA were used to measure mRNA expression of TLR4, IL-18 and concentration of TNF-a in the supernatants of cultured AM#phi#. The mRNA expression of TLR4 and IL-18 increased significantly in old rats stimulated mith LPS compared with young rats, The concentration of TNF-a also increased significantly. The quantities and function of TLR4 and IL-18 are enhanced in AM#phi# during ALI induced by LPS in old rats. TLR4 and IL-18 may play very important roles in ALI of old rat, which explains why the old patients with lung infection are more serious and more difficult to treat than young patient.