Endotoxin inhalation alters lung development in neonatal mice

Abstract

Background Childhood asthma is a significant public health problem. Epidemiologic evidence suggests an association between childhood asthma exacerbations and early life exposure to environmental endotoxin. Although the pathogenesis of endotoxin-induced adult asthma is well studied, questions remain about the impact of environmental endotoxin on pulmonary responsiveness in early life. Methods We developed a murine model of neonatal/juvenile endotoxin exposures approximating those in young children and evaluated the lungs inflammatory and remodeling responses. Results Persistent lung inflammation induced by the inhalation of endotoxin in early life was demonstrated by the influx of inflammatory cells and pro-inflammatory mediators to the airways and resulted in abnormal alveolarization. Conclusions Results of this study advance the understanding of the impact early life endotoxin inhalation has on the lower airways, and demonstrates the importance of an experimental design that approximates environmental exposures as they occur in young children.

Are Cockroaches an Important Source of Indoor Endotoxins?

“…In this study, it was hypothesized that cockroaches also play a key role in contributing to environmental endotoxins. Endotoxins are lipopolysaccharides naturally present in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria and are ubiquitous indoor biocontaminants that contribute to the development and severity of asthma and other respiratory symptoms [ 5 , 6 ]. Endotoxins are sometimes measured with other allergens in environmental studies to correlate the effect of these hazardous agents and allergens with different health outcomes [ 7 ].…”