Adenoviral Infection Decreases Mortality from Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Liver Failure Via Induction of TNF-α Tolerance

Abstract

Effects of adenoviral infection on in vivo responses to LPS mediated by TNF-α were evaluated in a murine model. Adenovirus-infected mice showed decreased mortality from fulminant hepatitis induced by administration of LPS or staphylococcal enterotoxin B in the presence of D-galactosamine. Importantly, TNF-α resistance genes within adenoviral E3 region were not required, because E1,E3-deleted vectors showed similar effects. Adenovirus-infected mice exhibited higher TNF-α levels after LPS stimulation, no difference in TNFR1 expression, and similar mortality from Fas-induced fulminant hepatitis. Decreased production of IL-6 and KC in response to exogenous TNF-α, in addition to protection from TNF-α, suggested that adenoviral infection results in TNF-α tolerance.