GRANULOCYTE-MACROPHAGE COLONY-STIMULATING FACTOR IMPROVES SURVIVAL IN2 MODELS OF GUT-DERIVED SEPSIS BY IMPROVING GUT BARRIER FUNCTION AND MODULATING BACTERIAL CLEARANCE

Objective The effect of recombinant murine granulocyte macrophage colo ny-stimulating factor (rmGM-CSF) on survival and host defense was stud ied using two clinically relevant models of infection that included tr ansfusion-induced immunosuppression. Summary Background Data Granulocy te macrophage colony-stimulating factor improves resistance in several models of infection, but its role in transfusion-induced immunosuppre ssion and bacterial translocation (gut-derived sepsis) has not been de fined. Methods Balb/c mice were treated with 100 ng of rmGM-CSF or pla cebo for 6 days in a model of transfusion, burn, and gavage, of cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Translocation was studied in the first mo del. Results Survival alter transfusion, burn, and gavage was 90% in r mGM-CSF-treated animals versus 35% in the control group (p < 0.001). A fter CLP, survival was 75% in the rmGM-CSF group versus 30% in the con trol group (p = 0.01). Less translocation and better killing of bacter ia was observed in the tissues in animals treated with rmGM-CSF. Concl usion The ability of rmGM-CSF to improve gut barrier function and enha nce killing of translocated organisms after burn injury-induced gut or igin sepsis was associated with improved outcome. Granulocyte macropha ge colony-stimulating factor also improved survival after CLP.