Hypercapnic acidosis attenuates pulmonary epithelial stretch-induced injury via inhibition of the canonical NF-κB pathway

摘要

BackgroundHypercapnia, with its associated acidosis (HCA), is a consequence of respiratory failure and is also seen in critically ill patients managed with conventional “protective” ventilation strategies. Nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), a pivotal transcription factor, is activated in the setting of injury and repair and is central to innate immunity. We have previously established that HCA protects against ventilation-induced lung injury in vivo, potentially via a mechanism involving inhibition of NF-κB signaling. We wished to further elucidate the role and mechanism of HCA-mediated inhibition of the NF-κB pathway in attenuating stretch-induced injury in vitro.