Cytokine interleukin-2, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interferon-gamma release after ischemia/reperfusion injury in a novel lung autograft animal model.

Abstract

Previously, we have reported an increase in the cytokines interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) early after left lung allotransplantation in dogs. The purpose of this study was to develop a novel model of canine lung autotransplantation and to observe whether ischemia/reperfusion injury alone (in the absence of an allogenic stimulus) would result in this cytokine release as seen in the allograft. Thus, using this model, early changes in cellular and cytokine composition in the lung autograft were monitored through the use of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and plasma. The effects of ischemia/reperfusion injury on lung histology and major histocompatibility class II (MHC II) antigen expression were also observed. Ten mongrel dogs were subjected to left lung autotransplantation. Lungs were stored cold for 4 h, with a warm ischemic time of 1 h. BAL, blood, and biopsy specimens were taken preoperatively and 1 h, 4 h, 24 h, and 1 wk postoperatively. The mean BAL IL-2 levels significantly rose from a preoperative value of 150 +/- 19 pg/ml to 246 +/- 67 pg/ml 4 h after transplantation (p < 0.05), decreasing to preoperative levels after 24 h (128 +/- 54 pg/ml). Plasma levels of IL-2 did not change from preoperative values. In contrast to IL-2, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma did not change in either BAL or plasma of the autograft.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)