Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 dependent TLR4/MYD88/NF-κB signaling activation is involved in lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury.

Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 (FGF21) has been reported to reduce inflammation and apoptosis. Inflammation and apoptosis are both the essential mechanisms during development of acute lung injury. This study evaluated whether pre-treatment of FGF21 could alleviate acute lung injury. Mice were pre-treated with FGF21 prior to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment. 24 h later, the lung tissues and BALF were obtained to detect H&E pathology, W/D ratio, pro-inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) and apoptosis. In vitro, Human BEAS-2B and THP-1 cells were overexpressed with TLR4 or MYD88 or NF-κB plasmid to detect the inflammation or apoptosis. Data showed that FGF21 was proved to be beneficial for inhibiting inflammation and apoptosis in the LPS- induced Balb/c mice or LPS induced BEAS-2B or THP-1 cells. Furthermore, the data showed that FGF21 suppressed inflammation and apoptosis via inhibition of TLR4/MYD88/NF-κB signaling pathway. Therefore, FGF21 provides a possibility for the treatment of LPS induced acute lung injury.