Figure 1.

GVHD mice have increased susceptibility to LPS- and E. coli-induced sepsis

(A) A schematic of the BMT strategy and induction of sepsis after BMT. At 14 days after BMT, allogeneic recipient mice with or without GVHD were injected intravenously (i.v.) with 1 mg/kg LPS. Untransplanted WT C57BL/6 mice were injected with 1 mg/kg LPS as a control.

(B) The survival of these mice after LPS administration was monitored. Comparison of survival between each group was performed by log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test.

(C–G) Serum cytokines were measured by quantitative ELISA at 2 and 6 h after LPS administration. Serum samples before LPS injection were included as controls. Representative results of three independent experiments are shown. Data are presented as the mean ± SEM with at least three mice in each group.

(H) At 2 h after LPS administration, the mice were sacrificed, and spleens, lungs, and livers were harvested and homogenized in PBS. The content of TNF-α and IL-6 in tissues was measured by quantitative ELISA and normalized to total protein in tissues. Data are presented as the mean ± SEM with three mice in each group.

(I) At 14 days after BMT, allogeneic recipient mice were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with 3 × 10¹⁰ CFU/kg E. coli. Untransplanted WT C57BL/6 mice injected with 3 × 10¹⁰ CFU/kg E. coli were used as controls. The survival of these mice after E. coli infection was monitored afterward. Comparison of survival between each group was performed by log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test.

(J) At 18 h after E. coli injection, the mice were sacrificed, and CFU of bacteria in blood, peritoneal cavity, spleens, and lungs were quantified by limited dilution of plating. Each dot represents one mouse in each group. Data are presented as the mean ± SEM.

(K) At 4 h after E. coli injection, TNF-α and IL-6 in serum were measured by quantitative ELISA. Data are presented as the mean ± SEM.