Alteration in regulation of inflammatory response to influenza a virus and endotoxin in suckling rat pups: A potential relationship to sudden infant death syndrome

Abstract

Data increasingly implicate a possible role of immune and inflammatory responses to infection in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). We have previously described a dual challenge model that results in pathology, organ damage, vascular collapse and unexplained death similar to that seen in SIDS. In this study, we examined changes in inflammatory cytokine mRNA in the lung and liver and regulation of pathways associated with nitric oxide production. Our data suggest that priming of the immune system by mild viral infection disturbs normal inflammatory response to endotoxin. This results in an increased nitric oxide synthase production, most likely the cause of liver pathology and clotting abnormalities. © 2004 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.