Fas/FasL-dependent apoptosis of alveolar cells after lipopolysaccharide-induced lung injury in mice.

To determine the possible contribution of apoptosis in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury (ALI), we investigated Fas antigen (Fas), Fas ligand (FasL), perforin, granzyme A, and granzyme B expressions in a murine model of ALI after intratracheal instillation of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS: 0.3-30 microg) into the left lung. Lung injury, examined by water-to-dry weight ratio and albumin leakage, demonstrated maximal epithelial injury 1 d after 30 microg LPS instillation. Expressions of the proapoptosis molecules' mRNA were dose-dependently up-regulated, with maximal expression in the early phase in the instilled lung and most apparent 1 d after LPS instillation. Negligible mRNA expression of proapoptosis molecules was observed in noninstilled lungs. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) demonstrated positive signals in neutrophils and macrophages as well as in alveolar wall cells of the instilled lung 1 d after LPS instillation. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that Fas was up-regulated in alveolar and inflammatory cells and FasL-positive inflammatory cells migrated into the air spaces in the LPS-instilled lung. Intratracheal administration of P2 antibody, which is an anti-Fas blocking antibody, attenuated the lung injury after 30 microg LPS instillation without attenuating mRNA expressions of proapoptosis molecules and neutrophil accumulation in the lung. In contrast, concanamycin A, which inhibits the function of perforin, did not alter the outcome after LPS instillation. These results indicate that the Fas/FasL system could be important in the pathogenesis of LPS-induced ALI, and proper regulation of the FasL/Fas system might be important for potential treatment of ARDS.