Lung inflammation induces IL-1? expression in hypoglossal neurons in rat brainstem.

ABSTRACT: Perinatal inflammation is associated with respiratory morbidity. Immune modulation of brainstem respiratory control centers may provide a link for this pathobiology. We exposed 11-day old rats to intratracheal lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 0.5 ?g/g) to test the hypothesis that intrapulmonary inflammation increases expression of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1? within respiratory-related brainstem regions. Intratracheal LPS resulted in a 32% increase in IL-1? protein expression in the medulla oblongata. In situ hybridization showed increased intensity of IL-1? mRNA but no change in neuronal numbers. Co-localization experiments showed that hypoglossal neurons express IL-1? mRNA and immunostaining showed a 43% increase in IL-1? protein-expressing cells after LPS exposure. LPS treatment also significantly increased microglial cell numbers though they did not express IL-1? mRNA. LPS-induced brainstem expression of neuronal IL-1? mRNA and protein may have implications for our understanding of the vulnerability of neonatal respiratory control in response to a peripheral proinflammatory stimulus.

SUBMITTER: Jafri A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3700631 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature