Role of transcription factor Egr-1 in liver injury following hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the role of transcription factor Egr-1 in liver injury following hemorrhagic shock (HS) /resuscitation (R). Methods: Both Egr-1 knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice were subjected to HS and HSR injuries. The expressions of TNF-α, IL-6, G-CSF and ICAM-1 mRNAs in the liver were examined by RT-PCR, and their serum levels were measured by ELISA. The liver inflammatory infiltration and liver injury in both Egr-1 WT and KO mice following HS/R were evaluated by liver MPO content, serum ALT level and histological examination. Results: Egr-1 inhibition resulted in less mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-6 , G-CSF and ICAM-1 in the liver, and lower serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, G-CSF and ICAM-1 antigens in Egr-1 KO mice following HS/R. The liver inflammatory infiltration and liver injury were less severe in Egr-1 KO mice following HS/R, as evidenced by lower serum ALT level, lower hepatic MPO content and histological manifestations. Conclusion: Our data suggest that transcription factor Egr-1 is involved in regulating the expression of inflammatory response genes and plays a role in liver injury following HS/R.