LPS Model of Systemic Inflammation

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Bolus injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; endotoxin) a major component of the bacterial cell wall, results in the rapid and transient rise in tumor necrosis factor (TNFα) levels in serum in mammals.

The LPS model of sepsis was originally developed to mirror certain aspects of septic shock in humans. Although this model recapitulates some aspects of sepsis, the correlation between agents effective in rodent LPS models and the clinical septic shock is poor. Nonetheless, this model may be an effective first-line general inflammation model and may be used to determine the anti-inflammatory potential of test compounds.

A variety of clinically approved anti-inflammatory compounds are extremely effective in LPS inflammation including glucocorticoids, NSAIDS and cox-2 inhibitors. We used methylprednisolone (dexamethasone) treatment to pharmacologically validate this model of LPS-mediated TNFα induction.

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LPS model of sepsis serum cytokine data.  Following a bolus injection of LPS, blood was collected from animals and serum was isolated. LPS injection induced a significant increase in TNF-⍺ and IL-6 in vehicle-treated animals. Oral administration of dexamethasone, a potent anti-inflammatory, significantly attenuated the both TNF-⍺ and IL-6 indicating a prevention of the inflammation response. These results are similar to literature reports (Ochalski et al., 1993; Zuckerman et al., 1989). Data are mean serum concentrations ± SEM; **p<0.01; *** p< 0.001 (n=6).

The mouse LPS model of sepsis is typically run as an acute model (one day study) with a single administration of test article. In addition to monitoring TNF-α levels the evaluation of other cytokines and biomarkers such as corticosterone and often incorporated into the studies.

References

  1. Ochalski, SJ, Hartman, DA, Belfast, MT, Walter, TL, Glaser, KB, and Carlson, RP. Inhibition of  endotoxin-induced hypothermia and serum TNF-alpha levels in CD-1 mice by various  pharmacological agents. Agents Actions. 1993:39.
  2. Zuckerman, SH and Bendele, AM. Regulation of serum tumor necrosis factor in  glucocorticoid-insensitive and –resistant endotoxin shock models. Infect. Immun. 1989  Oct;57(10):3009-13.

Frequently Asked Questions

What diseases does the LPS-induced systemic inflammation model represent?

This model mimics the course of human sepsis. Sepsis remains a significant clinical challenge, as it frequently results in multi-organ dysfunction and high morbidity.

What is the advantage of using an LPS-induced model in comparison to other models?

The LPS animal model has sever essential advantages, including technical ease and high reproducibility, particularly in the inflammatory response elicited. Shortly after LPS administration, high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines are released and can be measured in circulating serum.

What reference compound is often used in this type of model?

Dexamethasone is a glucocorticoid steroid known to have efficient anti-inflammatory effects in this model. We have validated the use of this compound and use the standard frequently.

Synonyms: Sepsis, Inflammation, Inflammatory