An Analysis of the Intracellular Signal Transduction of Peripheral Blood Leukocytes in Animal Models of Diabetes Using Flow Cytometry

Abstract

Various complications of diabetes are induced by the augmentation of chronic inflammation and attenuation of immunity. Leukocytes, which play major roles in inflammation and immune responses, are affected by the glycemic status and blood insulin level. In this chapter, we explain a method for analyzing the signal transduction pathway of leukocytes in peripheral blood. This method using flow cytometry can analyze a small amount of blood (50–100 μL/sample) without leukocyte purification. Thus, this procedure is useful for experiments using small-animal models of diabetes, such as mice and rats. We also introduce a new method for classifying intracellular signal transduction by combining the dispersibility level and the activation level of the signaling molecules.