Perfluorocarbon blocks tumor necrosis factor-α-induced interleukin-8 release from alveolar epithelial cells in vitro

Objective: To determine whether tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-induced interleukin (IL)-8 production by pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells is blocked by perfluorocarbon (PFC), Design: Controlled, laboratory investigation of IL-8 production by pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells after exposure to PFC in vitro. Setting: University research laboratory. Subject: The human alveolar epithelial cell line with pulmonary type II (A549) cell properties. Interventions: The A549 cells on a polycarbonate porous filter were stimulated either on the apical or the basolateral side with TNF-alpha. To determine TNF-alpha-induced IL-8 production, IL-8 was measured by using a human IL-8 kit in both control and experimental groups, Measurements and Main Results: TNF-alpha stimulation induced a large increase in IL-8, When PFC was added to the medium immediately after TNF-alpha stimulation, PFC separated the medium from the cells and IL-8 production was markedly reduced (TNF-alpha alone, 8342 +/- 470 pg vs. TNF-alpha followed by PFC, 417 +/- 88 pg, p < .05). Preincubation of A549 cells with PFC for 24 hrs before stimulation with TNF-alpha followed by removal of PFC did not affect IL-8 production (8834 +/- 204 vs. 8342 +/- 470 pg; p = NS), When added to the lower chamber, TNF-alpha also induced IL-8 production unaffected by the addition of PFC to the upper chamber. The decrease in TNF-alpha-induced IL-8 production depended on the time of PFC administration after the initiation of TNF-alpha stimulation, The earlier PFC was added, the more pronounced the diminution was in IL-8, Conclusions: PFC appears to function as a physical barrier, thus reducing cytokines produced by alveolar epithelial cells in vitro. This mechanism may partially explain the decreased inflammatory response observed during liquid ventilation in models of acute lung injury.