Demonstration that LPS-induced release of EVs can enhance IL-1β and neutrophil levels and change disease phenotype in model known to have increased levels of ATP.

<p>Mice (n = 8 per treatment group) were exposed to either room air (control) or CS (3R4F cigarettes) using a negative pressure system. Mice were subjected to 2 periods of CS exposure (500 ml/minute) per day (4 hours apart) for 3 consecutive days. On the morning of the third challenge day, the mice were exposed to aerosolised vehicle of endotoxin free saline or LPS (1 mg/ml) in Perspex chambers for 30 minutes. Animals were culled and BALF and lung tissue samples were collected 24 hours after LPS treatment. IL-1β levels were measured in the BALF and neutrophil numbers were determined in the BALF and lung tissue. In separate BALF samples collected from parallel smoke or LPS driven challenges ATP levels were measured (Panel A). Data shown as mean +/− S.E.M. (A: ATP # = P = 0.0023, Mann-Whitney; B: IL-1β # = P = 0.0009, Mann-Whitney; C: BALF neutrophil number, # = P = 0.0431, Students T test; D: lung tissue neutrophil number; # = P = 0.0006, Mann-Whitney).