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A Neonatal Mouse Model of Necrotizing Enterocolitis and Lamina Propria Isolation for Immune Cell Profiling
Gergely Mozes1, Lauren Bolzan1, Corey M Jania1
1Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Journal of Visualized Experiments : Jove
|October 6, 2025
Summary
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious neonatal intestinal disease. A new mouse model using formula feeding, hypoxia, LPS, and bacteria reliably mimics human NEC, aiding research into treatments.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal research
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
Background:
- Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a critical intestinal disease affecting preterm infants.
- It involves epithelial injury, gut bacteria imbalance, and immune system dysfunction.
- Murine models are crucial for understanding NEC mechanisms and developing therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a reliable neonatal mouse model for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).
- To detail methods for isolating and analyzing immune cells from the neonatal mouse intestine.
Main Methods:
- The model uses formula feeding, intermittent hypoxia, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration, and NEC-associated enteric bacteria.
- Immune cells are isolated from the small intestinal lamina propria.
- Flow cytometry is used for detailed immune cell profiling.
Main Results:
- The model reliably reproduces histological, transcriptional, and immunological features of human NEC.
- It has been instrumental in key discoveries in NEC research.
- Lamina propria cell isolation allows comprehensive analysis of innate and adaptive immune cells.
Conclusions:
- This established mouse model is foundational for NEC research.
- It effectively recapitulates human NEC, facilitating mechanistic studies.
- The protocol enables detailed immune cell analysis, crucial for understanding NEC pathogenesis.
