The Role of CD14 and Toll-Like Receptor 4 of Kupffer Cells in Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to study the role of CD14 and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in Kupffer cells (KCs) on ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) in rat liver grafts.MethodsIsolated KCs were obtained from control, IRI, and IRI plus anti-CD14 antibody groups. We measured messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression of the lipopolysaccharide receptor CD14 and TLR4, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κβ) activity, and TNF-α levels.ResultsmRNA and protein expressions of CD14 and TLR4 were significantly higher in the IRI than in the control group, as were protein expressions of CD14 and TLR4 by flow cytometry and by Western blots. NF-κβ activity and tumor necrosis factor-α level in the IRI group were significantly higher than in the control group (3.17 ± 0.21 and 0.28 ± 0.03 vs 654.2 ± 3.6 pg/mL and 147.4 ± 1.1 pg/mL; t value = 4.11 and 4.29 for each; P < .01). Compared with the IRI group they were greatly decreased after anti-CD14 antibody treatment: 2.14 ± 0.17 vs 3.17 ± 0.21, 298.7 ± 1.8 pg/mL vs 654.2 ± 3.6 pg/mL (t value = 2.52 and 2.92 for each; P < .05). They were still significantly higher than the control group (t values of 3.01 and 3.27 for each; P < .01).ConclusionIRI up-regulated CD14 and TLR4 gene expression in KCs, and subsequently activated NF-κβ to produce cytokines.