[Change and role of liver interstitial dendritic cells of mice in a model of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome].

Objective: To explore the role of liver interstitial dendritic cells in immuno-dissonance mechanism in multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS).

Methods: The model of MODS was replicated by intraperitoneal zymosan injection in C57BL/6 mice. One hundred and fifty mice were randomly divided into groups of normal, 3-6 hours, 12-48 hours, 5-7 days and 10-12 days after zymosan injection. Morphological changes in liver interstitial dendritic cells were observed with light and transmission electron microscope. Specific surface markers CD205 and CD11c, costimulatory molecules CD80 and I-A(b), CD4+, CD8+ T lymphocyte subgroups and ratio of CD4+/CD8+ in peripheral blood were detected by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry.

Results: In early stage of the challenge, liver interstitial dendritic cells showed a proliferation expressing markers CD80 and I-A(b) in a low level. The ratio of CD4+/CD8+ declined in peripheral blood. In acute stage (12-48 hours), interstitial dendritic cells had a continuous proliferation with high expression of CD11c, CD205, CD80 and I-A(b)(all P<0.01)and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ also declined markedly in peripheral blood as compared with the normal group (P<0.01). In function failure stage (10-12 days), interstitial dendritic cells further proliferated, but the expression of CD205, CD80 and I-A(b) declined to a very low level, with comparison to that in acute stage (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ declined remarkably in peripheral blood.

Conclusion: Liver interstitial dendritic cells participated and influenced the course of dysfunction and suppression of immunity in MODS.