RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 TLR2 and TLR4 induced tolerance in alveolar macrophages; differential effect on TNFα and IL-8 release JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP P3408 VO 40 IS Suppl 56 A1 Sophie Reynolds A1 Manminder Kaur A1 Matthew Beardsall A1 Simon Lea A1 Simon Hall A1 Dave Singh YR 2012 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P3408.abstract AB Alveolar macrophages (AM) play a key role in the pathogenesis of COPD. Bacterial stimulation of toll-like receptors (TLR) on AM causes secretion of inflammatory mediators such as IL-8, promoting neutrophil migration to the lung. Repeat stimulation of TLR results in a reduced inflammatory response, known as tolerance.To emulate events during bacterial colonisation of the lung, we investigated the effects of repeated TLR stimulation in AM from COPD subjects.AM from healthy (n=7) and COPD (n=9) patients were isolated. For tolerance induction, treatment with media, LPS (1µg/ml) or Pam3CSK4 (0.1µg/ml) was performed over a 24 hour period. Cells were then washed before a repeat stimulation. Levels of IL-8 and TNFα were measured post-treatment.Repeat LPS exposure reduced TNFα production but had no effect on IL-8 release from AM (table 1). Differences between healthy and COPD AM responses were negligible. Pre-incubation with LPS before Pam3CSK4 stimulation appeared to prime cells for further IL-8 production compared to levels secreted after two consecutive Pam3CSK stimulations.View this table:Table 1. TNFα and IL-8 Release Following LPS-induced Tolerance in COPD AMChronic LPS exposure in COPD lungs results in diminished TNFα production but continual IL-8 release. This may cause neutrophil recruitment and inflammation, further contributing to disease pathogenesis.