Shock : molecular, cellular, and systemic pathobiological aspects and therapeutic approaches : the official journal the Shock Society, the European Shock Society, the Brazilian Shock Society, the International Federation of Shock Societies
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The purpose of the study was to investigate the course of the zymosan-induced multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in the absence of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in a murine model. Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha-lymphotoxin-a knockout (TNF/LT-/-) mice (n = 36) and wild-type (TNF/LT+/+) mice (n = 36) received 40 microg of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) intraperitoneally followed by zymosan at a dose of 1 mg/g body weight 6 days later (day 0). Animals were monitored daily for body weight and temperature and clinical symptoms. ⋯ Interestingly, besides mononuclear cells, inflammatory infiltrates in lungs and livers of TNF/LT+/+ but not of TNF-/- mice contained neutrophils. In conclusion, TNF-deficient mice exhibit significantly improved morbidity and mortality during zymosan-induced MODS. However, the absence of TNF does not completely protect against MODS in this murine model.