LPS challenge in healthy subjects: An investigation of neutrophil chemotaxis mechanisms involving CXCR1 and CXCR2

LPS inhalation was used to investigate whether sputum supernatant post-LPS challenge increases neutrophil chemotactic activity and to elucidate the role of CXCR1/CXCR2 signalling in this process.14 healthy non-smoking subjects inhaled 30 μg of LPS. Sputum was induced at baseline, 6 and 24 h post-LPS challenge. Differential cell counts were determined and supernatants CXCL8, CXCL1, IL-6 and CCL2 levels measured. Peripheral blood neutrophils obtained from healthy volunteers were used for chemotaxis experiments using sputum supernatant. To delineate signalling mechanisms, the effects of a CXCR2/CXCR1 (dual) antagonist (Sch527123) and a CXCR2 specific antagonist (SB656933) were tested.LPS inhalation significantly increased sputum neutrophil counts from 45.3% to 76.7% and 69.3% at 6 and 24 h respectively. LPS increased CXCL8, IL-6 and CCL2 levels but not CXCL1. Neutrophil chemotaxis significantly increased (2.7 fold) at 24 h compared to baseline. Chemotaxis was inhibited by 79.0% with Sch527123 and 52.0% with SB656933.We conclude that LPS challenge increases sputum supernatant CXCL8 levels, which is associated with increased chemotactic activity which is dependent on both CXCR1 and CXCR2.

► LPS inhalation in healthy subjects increases the levels of CXCL8 but not CXCL1.
► LPS inhalation also increases the chemotactic capacity of sputum supernatant.
► Chemotactic capacity inhibited more using a dual CXCR1/CXCR2 antagonist.
► TLR4 signalling causes airway neutrophilia dependent on CXCL8 driven chemotaxis.
► Supports development of dual CXC1/CXCR2 antagonists for neutrophilic lung diseases