Severe gunshot injuries in a porcine model: impact on central markers of innate immunity

Background The mechanisms behind lipopolysaccharide (LPS) tolerance remain obscure. LPS signals through Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and severe trauma/haemorrhage may influence binding and signalling through this receptor, e.g. by changing membrane expression or by releasing endogenous ligands like High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1). The aim of this study was to examine these relations further in a porcine model with standardized trauma. Methods Nine anaesthetized pigs sustained one gunshot through the femur and one pistol shot through the upper abdomen. Blood was sampled before and 90 min after shooting. The samples were stimulated for 4 h with LPS 10 ng/ml or an equivalent amount of normal saline. The leucocyte response was evaluated by measuring the tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and CXC ligand 8 (CXCL8) in the supernatant. Flow cytometry was used to measure the surface expression of TLR4 on CD14+ monocytes. HMGB1 concentrations were measured in the plasma. Results Trauma and treatment caused a significant decline in the LPS-stimulated concentrations of TNF-alpha [4.53 +/- 0.24 pg/ml (ln) at 0 min, 3.54 +/- 0.35 pg/ml (ln) at 90 min, P=0.026], but did not modify the release of CXCL8. Monocyte TLR4 expression was unchanged. Plasma HMGB1 increased significantly [< 0.92 vs. 3.02 +/- 0.19 ng/ml (ln), P < 0.001]. The concentrations of TNF-alpha and CXCL8 did not correlate with TLR4 expression or HMGB1 concentrations. Conclusion The results suggest that trauma-induced LPS tolerance is not primarily regulated by TLR4 expression on circulating CD14+ monocytes or by the release of HMGB1 from damaged tissues.