Toshihiro Okamoto and Tadashi Kobayashi
Research Laboratories, Nippon Chemiphar Co., Ltd., 1-22 Hikokawato, Misato,
Saitama 341, Japan
Abstract: The effects of concanavalin A (Con A) on liver cytokine
gene expression was studied in mice. The CD4 mRNA expression in normal liver
suggests the presence of CD4+ T cells. The administration of Con A induced
interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-2 and IL-2 receptor mRNAs, which implies lymphocyte
activation in the liver. Interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha
mRNA expressions were increased gradually. The present results showed that
Con A induced liver cytokine genes. This cytokine gene induction might have
been the result of lymphocyte activation in the liver.
Keywords: Concanavalin A, Liver, Cytokine mRNA