Septic shock is a serious, often fatal response to an infection in the bloodstream. This response can be elicited in mice by intravenous injection of bacterial LPS. However, it was found that one strain of mice, C3H/HeJ, is resistant to LPS-induced shock. This fact was used to clone the gene for TLR-4 based on positional cloning from C3H/HeJ mice. Another example of a strain of mice that is resistant to LPS-induced septic shock is:
A) TNF-receptor-deficient mice
B) TLR-2-deficient mice.
C) LFA-1-deficient mice
D) Neutrophil-deficient mice
E) Complement receptor-deficient mice

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

TNF-receptor-deficient mice are resistant to LPS-induced septic shock because they are unable to respond to the high levels of TNF-alpha that are released during the response to LPS. TNF-alpha is a cytokine that triggers many of the symptoms of septic shock, including fever, hypotension, and endothelial damage. Therefore, if mice lack the receptors for TNF-alpha, they are protected against the harmful effects of LPS.

Septic Shock Is a Serious, Often Fatal Response to an Infection