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Updated: May 12, 2026
In vivo Imaging Method to Distinguish Acute and Chronic Inflammation
Published on: August 16, 2013
Bioluminescence imaging for IL-1β expression in experimental colitis
Limei Li1,2,3, Zhenzhe Liu4, Xinyu Yang4
1Shanghai Research Centre for Model Organisms, Shanghai 201203, PR China.
Background:
Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) contributes to the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and is correlated with the severity of intestinal inflammation. However, the precise source of IL-1β producing cells in DSS colitis is currently not known.
Methods:
To determine IL-1β activity during intestinal inflammation in real time, an IL-1β transgenic mouse has been generated by incorporating the firefly luciferase gene driven by a 4.5-kb fragment of human IL-1β gene promoter (named cHS4I-hIL-1βP-Luc transgenic mice). Dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) induced colitis was confirmed with clinical presentation and histopathology.
Results:
A substantial increase in luciferase activity (reflecting IL-1β production) in the region of inflamed colon was observed in a time dependent manner, followed by additional activity in the region of the mesenteric lymph node. The up-regulated luciferase activity was suppressed by dexamethasone (steroids) during DSS challenge, consistent with reduced severity of colitis, confirming the specificity of luciferase activity.
Conclusions:
Our data suggests that bioluminescence is an interesting technology, which may be used to evaluate transcription of various genes in real time in experimental colitis.
