Production of cytokines and prostaglandin E2 by subpopulations of guinea pig enterocytes: effect of endotoxin and thermal injury.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence that cells other than immune cells have the potential for producing immunomediators. This study determined whether distinct populations of enterocytes from unburned and burned animals responded differently to endotoxin regarding production of tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-1 and -6 and prostaglandin E2. METHODS: Three subpopulations of enterocytes, progressing from the villus tip towards the crypt, were obtained from washes of the small intestine. The cells were cultured in the presence of endotoxin, and the supernatants were assayed for the mediators. RESULTS: Thermal injury primed all three populations of enterocytes to produce larger amounts of tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-6 compared to cells from unburned animals. Enterocytes that were nearer the crypt produced the largest amounts of the cytokines. CONCLUSION: These observations may be important because, as gut integrity is compromised after thermal injury, enterocytes that may have previously been unexposed or less exposed to endotoxin can become a significant source of inflammatory cytokines.