A Detailed Protocol for the Induction of Anemia and RBC Transfusion–associated Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Neonatal Mice
Balamurugan Ramatchandirin,
Marie Amalie Balamurugan,
Suneetha Desiraju,
Yerin Chung,
Mohan Krishnan
Affiliations
Balamurugan Ramatchandirin
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
Marie Amalie Balamurugan
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
Suneetha Desiraju
Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
Yerin Chung
Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
Mohan Krishnan
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USAChildrens Health and Research Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA, Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
Anemia is a common and serious health problem, nearly universally diagnosed in preterm infants, and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality worldwide. Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is a lifesaving and mainstay therapy; however, it has critical adverse effects. One consequence is necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), an inflammatory bowel necrosis disease in preterm infants. The murine model of phlebotomy-induced anemia and RBC transfusion–associated NEC enables a detailed study of the molecular mechanisms underlying these morbidities and the evaluation of potential new therapeutic strategies. This protocol describes a detailed procedure for obtaining murine pups with phlebotomy-induced anemia and delivering an RBC transfusion that develops NEC.
