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Article on Acute Lung Injury

Platelet-neutrophil interactions have a key role in disease development following acid aspiration-induced adult lung injury

2006 DEC 18 -- Klaus Ley and colleagues from the University of Virginia show that platelet-neutrophil interactions have a key role in the development of disease in a mouse model of acid aspiration-induced adult lung injury (ALI).    The study, reported in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, reporteed that reducing the number of platelets in the mice or inhibiting the platelet-neutrophil interaction reduced the recruitment of neutrophils to the lungs, reduced lung permeability, improved gas exchange in the lungs, and prolonged survival.    Mechanistically, expression of a molecule known as P-selectin by the platelets was crucial for mediating the platelet-neutrophil interaction, which induced platelets to produce proinflammatory factors such as TXA2.    The authors therefore suggest that disrupting the platelet-neutrophil interaction or blocking the proinflammatory factors produced as a result of this interaction might provide new therapeutic targets for the treatment of individuals with ALI.    In an accompanying commentary, Wolfgang Kuebler suggests that although this study highlights the importance of platelets in ALI, they might also have an important role in the development of other "...lung inflammatory disorders, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cystic fibrosis."    This article was prepared by NewsRx editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, NewsRx.com.

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