Toshihiro Okamoto (1), Osamu Maeda (1), Naoki Tsuzuike (2) and Kaoru
Hara (1)
(1) Research Laboratories, Nippon Chemiphar Co., Ltd., 1-22 Hikokawato,
Misato, Saitama 341-0005, Japan
(2) Zeria Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 2512-1 Konan-machi, Ohsato-gun, Saitama
360 -0111, Japan
Abstract: The effect of Kupffer cell depression on concanavalin
A (Con A)-induced cytokine mRNA expression in the liver was studied. Gadolinium
chloride (GdCl3) is a commonly used Kupffer cell inhibitor. GdCl3
(40 mg/kg, i.p.) was injected into each mouse, and 24 hr later, Con A (0.2
mg/mouse) was administered. Plasma was obtained at 24 hr after Con A treatment
for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) measurement. GdCl3 treatment
inhibited Con A-induced elevation of ALT. However, it did not inhibit Con
A-induced interleukin-2 or tumor necrosis factor- alpha mRNA expression.
The present results suggest that Kupffer cells are not responsible for Con
A-induced cytokine expression in the liver.
Keywords: Concanavalin A, Gadolinium chloride, Cytokine