Thrombopoietin may enhance ventilator-induced lung injury

Ventilator-induced lung injury is characterized by release of inflammatory mediators and increased vascular permeability resulting in alveolar edema formation. Thrombopoietin (TPO), whose most known function is the stimulation of the proliferation of megakaryocytes, has also shown several proinflammatory effects. Moreover, TPO receptor, c-Mpl, is constitutively expressed on endothelial cells and may modulate the permeability of the endothelium. We investigated the role of TPO in the impairment of the alveolar-capillary membrane resulting in alveolar edema formation during mechanical ventilation.