Upregulation of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/MD-2 complex in LPS hypersensitive livers in mice

Background: LPS sensitivity in the liver significantly worsens the outcome of gram negative sepsis. MD-2 facilitates the recognition of LPS by Toll-like receptor (TLR4). In this study we investigated the changes in TLR4 and MD-2 levels in LPS sensitive livers. Methods: C57BL/6 mice (8/group) were primed with heat-killed P. acnes (1mg, i.p., 7 day) or methionine-choline deficient (MCD) diet (3 week feeding) and stimulated with LPS (0.5mg/g b.w.). Liver histopathology (H&E), serum cytokine (ELISA), alanine aminotransferase ALT levels, MD-2 mRNA (qualitative real time-PCR) and protein levels (immunoblot) were asses…