Assessment of the ovine acute phase response and hepatic gene expression in response to Escherichia coli endotoxin

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a bacterial membrane endotoxin, induces a systemic inflammatory response (IFR) through the activation of blood monocytes and hepatic kupffer cells. These cells secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines, which subsequently activate the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPAA) to release cortisol, an anti-inflammatory hormone that regulates the IFR and subsequent immune response (IR). The intent of this study was to characterize the acute phase response in female sheep challenged systemically with a range of doses of Escherichia coli endotoxin. Yearling ewes were challenged with an i.v. bolus dose of LPS (0, 200, 400, 600 ng/kg BW) and the acute phase response assessed by measuring serum interleukin (IL)-6 and cortisol concentrations, and the febrile response over time. A follow-up liver biopsy study was performed to determine kinetic differences in the expression of eight candidate hepatic genes between LPS dose groups using real-time RT-PCR. The initial time trail did not follow a linear dose response relationship with respect to the febrile and HPAA response to LPS challenge. Serum IL-6 concentrations increased in the two highest treatment groups but did not correlate with the observed febrile and HPAA response. The expression of Toll-like receptor 4, CD14, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-1β, macrophage migration inhibitory factor, 11-β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD), and tachykinin precursor 1 hepatic genes was dependent on both the dose and the kinetics of the response to LPS.