Prophylaxis of lipopolysaccharide-induced shock by α-galactosylceramide

AbstractThe NKT cell ligand α-galactosylceramide and its synthetic homologue KRN7000 stimulate rapid and copious secretion of IFN-γ and TNF-α release, both of which are key mediators of LPS-induced shock. We showed that KRN7000, injected before or within 2 h after LPS challenge, was able to prevent endotoxic shock. KRN7000 induced survival when the mice were injected 6, 9, or 12 days before the first injection of LPS, and this protective effect was associated with reduction upon subsequent challenge in the levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, MCP-1, and an increase of IL-10. Further analysis showed that the animals treated with KRN7000 prior to LPS challenge had lower numbers of F4/80+, NKT, and NK cell…