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bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.02.04.703853

Different functions of human scavenger receptors BI and BII overexpressed in a murine abdominal sepsis model

Abstract

Class B scavenger receptors BI (SR-BI) and BII (SR-BII) internalize lipoproteins but also bind and internalize bacteria. Their roles in sepsis are unknown. We overexpressed human SR-BI and BII in the liver and kidney as well as bone marrow-derived macrophages, and then performed cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) surgery. SR-BI and BII transgenic mice had significantly worse survival compared to WT mice. 24 h after CLP, liver injury markers and histological damage were prominent in both SR-BI and BII transgenic mice, whereas kidney damage was similar. Systemic inflammatory cytokines were markedly increased in SR-BI and BII transgenic mice; parallel increases were seen in liver mRNA expression, not in the kidney. The highest degree of neutrophil infiltration was observed in the liver of SR-BI. Human SR-BI and BII dramatically decreased bacterial accumulation in the liver. Green fluorescence protein-labeled E. coli were efficiently phagocytosed in hepatic macrophages of SR-BI and BII transgenic mice; phagocytosis was more prominent in SR-BII transgenic mice. Finally, human SR-BI overexpression reduced systemic HDL-C level, eliminated adrenal cortex lipid droplets, and dampened the systemic increase of corticosterone after CLP. Supplementation with glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid improved survival in SR-BI, but not SR-BII, transgenic mice after CLP. In summary, our findings suggest human SR-BI and BII overexpression contributes to higher mortality after CLP by excessive inflammatory response due to adrenal insufficiency (SR-BI) or hyperactive phagocytosis (SR-BII) in the liver.

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BibTeXRIS

Hayase, N., Vishnyakova, T. G., Baranova, I. N., Bocharov, A. V., Hu, X., Patterson, A. P., Yuen, P. S. T., Eggerman, T. L., Star, R. A.. 2026-02-07. Different functions of human scavenger receptors BI and BII overexpressed in a murine abdominal sepsis model. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.02.04.703853

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