The role of the CCR1 receptor in the inflammatory response to tobacco smoke in a mouse model

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to create pathological changes in mice relevant to human smoke exposure that can be used to further understand the mechanisms and pathology of smoke-induced inflammatory disease. METHODS: Mice were exposed to tobacco smoke or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to generate an inflammatory infiltrate within the lungs. RESULTS: Tobacco smoke exposure over a 4 day period led to neutrophilia in the lungs of BALB/c mice. Within the inflammatory exudates, significant changes were also seen in protein levels of IL-1B, IL-6, MIP-2, KC (IL-8) and TIMP-1 as measured by ELISA. Further protein changes, as measured via multiplex analysis revealed increased levels of MMP-9, MDC, LIF and MCP-1, amongst other mediators. Major changes in whole lung tissue gene expression patterns were observed. The neutrophilia seen after smoke exposure was steroid-insensitive, relative to doses of steroid needed to reduce LPS-driven neutrophilia in controls. This exposes pathological switches that are changed upon exposure to tobacco smoke, rendering steroids less effective under these conditions. Challenge of chemokine receptor type 1 (CCR1) KO mice in the tobacco smoke model showed that lack of this gene protected the mice from smoke-induced inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: This suggests the CCR1 receptor has a key role in the pathogenesis of smoke-induced inflammation.