Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) is defined as acute lung injury that occurs within 6 hours of a blood product transfusion. TRALI continues to be a leading cause of transfusion-related mortality and we have developed a mouse model of TRALI to better understand the mechanisms by which injury occurs and to test therapeutic approaches. Our model is a two-event model based on immune priming and the challenge of BALB/c wild-type mice with cognate MHC Class I monoclonal antibody (MHC I mAb). Immune priming with LPS mimics the primed state of recipients (first event) that is important for the development of TRALI. Donor HLA antibodies are frequently implicated in TRALI reactions, and cognate MHC Class I antibody (second event) produces acute lung injury in primed animals. Here, we describe a detailed protocol with high reproducibility within animals.

The intratracheal instillation technique is used to deliver a variety of agents to the lungs ranging from pathogens (bacteria, viruses), toxins, to therapeutic agents. To model lung inflammation and injury, LPS can be administrated via intranasal, intratracheal, or aerosol approaches. Each technique has its limitations. The intratracheal technique can involve the non-invasive instillation method (via the oro-tracheal route) or a direct injection into the trachea. Here, we describe an optimized method for direct visual instillation of LPS via the non-invasive oro-tracheal route.