Sdc1^−/− mice are susceptible to LPS-induced multiorgan injury and dysfunction and lethal endotoxemia. (A) WT and Sdc1^−/− mice were injected intraperitoneally with 4.5 or 6.75 mg LPS/kg, and their survival was tracked for 7 days (n = 10 in each group; P < .05 at ≥ 3 days after LPS at both LPS doses). At a higher dose of LPS (15 mg/kg), all WT and Sdc1^−/− mice died by 3 days after LPS, whereas at a lower dose (2.25 mg/kg), all WT and Sdc1^−/− mice survived (not shown). (B) WT and Sdc1^−/− mice were injected with LPS (4.5 mg/kg) and serum levels of ALT, AST, BUN, and LDH were measured at 0, 24, and 48 hours after LPS by a serum chemistry analyzer (Cobas Integra 400 Plus serum chemistry analyzer). Results shown are mean ± SE (n = 5; *P < .05 relative to WT mice). (C) WT and Sdc1^−/− mice were injected with LPS, and the lung wet/dry ratio was determined at the indicated times by weighing lungs before and after incubation at 90°C for 3 days (n = 5). (D) Paraffin-embedded tissues sections (5 μm) of WT and Sdc1^−/− lungs harvested at 48 hours after LPS were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (original magnification, ×200). Error bars indicate SE.