The alveolar epithelial type I-like cell line as an adequate model for leukocyte migration studies in vitro.

The lung is unique as leukocytes not only migrate into the bronchoalveolar space but also return to the parenchyma and then via the lymphatics to the draining lymph node. The aim of this study was to investigate the migration of leukocytes via an epithelial monolayer in a Transwell system against a chemokine gradient. Rat type I-like R3/1 alveolar epithelial cells were cultivated on a Transwell polyester membrane (pore diameter 3 microm) for 3 days until a monolayer was formed.

Polymicrobial sepsis induces organ changes due to granulocyte adhesion in a murine two hit model of trauma.

Introduction: Polytrauma patients, who develop organ dysfunction, have often undergone multiple subsequent insults ("hits"). The sequence of organs that show a dysfunction mostly is lung, liver, kidney and heart. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether a second hit after trauma induces organ changes.