Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2025
Evaluation of a Reliable Biomarker in a Cecal Ligation and Puncture-Induced Mouse Model of Sepsis
Published on: December 9, 2022
Specificity of Presepsin as a Biomarker of Bacterial Infection in Mouse Sepsis Models
Kyosuke Hosokawa1, Hideaki Obara1, Kazumasa Fukuda1
1Department of Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.
Introduction:
Since its discovery in 2002, presepsin (P-SEP) has been reported to be useful in the early diagnosis of sepsis and has been evaluated in many clinical studies. However, as antibodies that bind to mouse P-SEP were previously unavailable, serum P-SEP levels in mice are limited. This study used a P-SEP enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit to evaluate the changes in serum P-SEP levels in mouse sepsis models compared with changes in other inflammatory markers and determine whether P-SEP can function as a biomarker specific to bacterial infections.
Methods:
Sepsis was induced in mice via cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), induction with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and cecal ligation (CL) model was created as a control for the CLP model, following which clinical biomarkers (P-SEP, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin) were evaluated.
Results:
The 48-h survival rates in the CLP, CL, and LPS-induced sepsis models were 67%, 89%, and 57%, respectively. Serum C-reactive protein levels did not increase in the CLP and CL models within 24 h but significantly increased in the LPS-induced sepsis model. Serum procalcitonin levels increased in the CLP and CL models and especially increased in the LPS-induced sepsis model. In contrast, an increase in serum P-SEP level was found in the CLP model at 6 h compared with those at baseline, the CL, and LPS-induced sepsis models.
Conclusions:
Mouse P-SEP is elevated early in infection and more specific to bacterial infection compared with other biomarkers.
Insights
Presepsin (P-SEP) shows early elevation in mouse sepsis models and is more specific to bacterial infections than other inflammatory markers. This finding supports P-SEP as a valuable biomarker for early bacterial infection detection.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Infectious Disease Research
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Presepsin (P-SEP) is a known biomarker for sepsis diagnosis since 2002.
- Previous limitations in mouse P-SEP studies due to lack of specific antibodies.
- This study aimed to validate P-SEP in mouse models for bacterial infection specificity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate serum P-SEP levels in mouse sepsis models.
- To compare P-SEP changes with other inflammatory markers (CRP, PCT).
- To determine P-SEP's specificity for bacterial infections.
Main Methods:
- Sepsis induced in mice using cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
- Cecal ligation (CL) model used as a control.
- Serum levels of P-SEP, C-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitonin (PCT) were measured.
Main Results:
- P-SEP levels increased significantly at 6 hours in the CLP model.
- CRP levels increased in LPS-induced sepsis but not in CLP/CL models within 24h.
- PCT levels increased in CLP, CL, and LPS models, with a notable rise in LPS-induced sepsis.
Conclusions:
- Mouse P-SEP is elevated early in the course of infection.
- P-SEP demonstrates higher specificity for bacterial infections compared to CRP and PCT.
- P-SEP shows potential as a specific biomarker for early bacterial infection detection in mice.
