Development of endotoxin tolerance in humans in vivo

Abstract

Endotoxin tolerance developed during five consecutive LPS administrations as demonstrated by the attenuated release of proinflammatory cytokines on the fifth day and was associated with less leukocyte and endothelial activation. In contrast to animal and human in vitro data, the attenuated response was not limited to the proinflammatory response, as a similar reduction in the anti-inflammatory cytokines was observed, with the exception of TGF-beta.