Noninvasive imaging of hepatocyte IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway for evaluating inflammation responses induced by end-stage stored whole blood transfusion

摘要

ObjectiveTo monitor the inflammatory storage lesions of end-stage stored whole blood (SWB) using a noninvasive STAT3 signal pathway mouse model.ResultsIn this study, we present a hydrodynamic transfection-based STAT3-Luc mouse model in which hepatocyte STAT3 signal pathway activation can be monitored by measuring luciferase activity using a noninvasive imaging system. Such a mouse model may reflect systemic IL-6 and inflammation levels by monitoring the activation of STAT3. During end-stage SWB transfusion, in vivo imaging of STAT3-Luc mice showed obvious luciferase activity in the hepatic region, which was consistent with an increase in IL-6 levels in the liver homogenate and circulation. We also confirmed that the mononuclear phagocytic system contributed to the elevation of serum and liver IL-6 after end-stage SWB transfusion.ConclusionThe hepatocyte STAT3 signaling pathway, which is activated by end-stage SWB transfusion, is associated with the elevation of systemic IL-6 secreted by macrophages. The STAT3-Luc mouse may serve as a mouse model for monitoring inflammation responses after end-stage SWB transfusion.