Response of plasma fibronectin to major body burn.

The ability of macrophages of phagocytize particulate matter is largely dependent on fibronectin, a nonspecific opsonin found in plasma. Fibronectin depletion, resulting in reticuloendothelial system (RES) depression, occurs following a variety of physical insults. RES depression may contribute to postinjury sequelae such as respiratory distress syndrome and septicemia. Fibronectin concentration was measured in the plasma of sheep with chronic lung lymph fistulas subjected to controlled thermal injury. Fibronectin levels were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased at 4, 24, 48, and 72 hours following burning. Fibronectin concentration decreased in parallel with serum albumin concentration; serum globulin concentrations did not decrease. Fibronectin concentration had an inverse relationship to lung lymph flow, a reflection of pulmonary transvascular fluid filtration rate. The role of fibronectin in the pathogenesis of postinjury respiratory distress syndrome deserves further exploration.