The value of the lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury model in respiratory medicine

Abstract

Acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) is a syndrome characterized by pulmonary edema and acute inflammation. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a major component in Gram-negative bacteria, has been used to induce ALI/ARDS. LPS-induced animal models highlight ways to explore mechanisms of multiple diseases and provide useful information on the discovery of novel biomarkers and drug targets. However, each model has its own merits and drawbacks. The goal of this article is to summarize and evaluate the results of experimental findings in LPS-induced ALI/ARDS, and the possible mechanisms and treatments elucidated. Advantages and disadvantages of such models in pulmonary research and new directions for future investigations are also discussed.

Keywords::

• acute lung injury
• animal
• inflammation
• lipopolysaccharide
• model

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This work was sponsored by grants from the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (08PJ1402900, 08DZ2293104 and 09540702600), Fudan University and Zhongshan Hospital Grant for Distinguished Professor, and Shanghai Leading Academic Discipline Project (T0206, B115). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.