Rapid in vivo induction of leukocyte tissue factor mRNA and protein synthesis following low dose endotoxin administration to rabbits.

Introduction: Disseminated intravascular coagulation in humans is frequently associated with Gram-negative bacterial sepsis. Therefore, to examine the role and time frame of the in vivo induction of tissue factor (TF) by bacterial endotoxin, a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and a solid-phase ELISA assay were developed to monitor the in vivo production in rabbits, of TF mRNA and TF antigen by peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL).

Methods: : Healthy rabbits were injected intravenously with either 1, 10 or 50 microg/kg of Salmonella endotoxin.