Toshihiro Okamoto (1), Tomio Yamakawa (1), Ken-Ichi Yamamura (2) and
Okio Hino (3)
(1) Research Laboratories, Nippon Chemiphar Co., Ltd., Saitama 341-0005,
Japan
(2) Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University
School of Medicine, Kumamoto 862-0976, Japan
(3) Department of Experimental Pathology, Cancer Institute, Tokyo 170-8455,
Japan
Abstract: The interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) transgenic mouse develops
chronic hepatitis. In the present study, lymphoid cell infiltration and
expression of the Fas system were studied in the transgenic mouse liver.
Morphological analysis showed the infiltration of Iymphoid cells at the
portal area and necro-inflammation in the lobules. Furthermore, the infiltrating
Iymphoid cells were found to be present in the areas of piecemeal necrosis
and the intralobular region. The polymerase chain reaction revealed induction
of Fas antigen and Fas ligand mRNA expressions. The chronic hepatitis in
this mouse reflects the profiles of human chronic hepatitis.
Keywords: Transgenic mouse, Fas, Liver