Increased inflammatory infiltrates and altered macrophages in the liver of S/S mice. (A) Representative images of hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunofluorescence staining of liver sections from A/A mice, S/S mice, and S/S mice during VOEs. There were increased vaso-occlusion, inflammatory infiltrates, and hepatocyte death in the liver of S/S mice, which were further aggravated during TNF-induced VOE. Histological scores and inflammatory infiltrate quantification are shown on the right. Cryosections were stained with primary antibodies to CD31 (endothelial cell marker) and CD45 (leukocyte common antigen). 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) cell nuclear staining (n = 4 mice per group). Data represent mean ± standard deviation. ∗P < .05; ∗∗∗P < .001; ∗∗∗∗P < .0001, 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). (B) Representative confocal microscopic images of liver cryosections of A/A mice, S/S mice, and S/S mice during VOEs. There were increased macrophages in the S/S mouse liver, which were hypertrophied when compared with those in the liver of A/A mice. During VOE, there was an increase of macrophage accumulation around the vessels in the liver of S/S mice, indicating increased infiltration of circulating monocyte-derived macrophages. Macrophage quantification is shown on the right. Cryosections were stained with primary antibody to F4/80 (macrophage marker). DAPI cell nuclear staining (n = 4 mice per group). Data represent mean ± standard deviation. ∗P < .05; ∗∗∗P < .001, 1-way ANOVA. AU, arbitrary unit.