Mice Model of Autoimmune Hepatitis Developed through Osteopontin Expression

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Scientists have successfully developed a model of autoimmune hepatitis by expressing liver cell osteopontin in mice. The study, published in the Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, aimed to clarify the role of osteopontin in inflammatory changes in the liver. Researchers constructed transgenic mice expressing osteopontin in hepatocytes and observed significant increases in osteopontin concentrations in the liver and plasma.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study utilized transgenic mice expressing osteopontin in hepatocytes, which resulted in increased osteopontin concentrations in the liver and plasma.
  • Western blotting and immunohistochemistry revealed that osteopontin was expressed in hepatocytes, but not in non-parenchymal cells, in the transgenic mice.
  • Antinuclear antibody was positive in the plasma in 50% of the transgenic mice, indicating autoimmune response.
  • Mononuclear cell infiltration in the liver developed in the transgenic mice later than 12 weeks of age, with the cells positive for CD8 and HLA-DR.
  • Plasma alanine aminotransferase activity was increased with focal necrosis in hepatic lobules in the transgenic mice later than 24 weeks of age.
  • The transgenic mice expressing osteopontin in hepatocytes may be useful as a model of autoimmune hepatitis.

Statistics:

  • Osteopontin concentrations in the liver and plasma in the transgenic mice were 13 and 2.6 times higher than those in negative littermates.
  • 50% of the transgenic mice had positive antinuclear antibody in their plasma.
  • Mononuclear cell infiltration in the liver developed in the transgenic mice later than 12 weeks of age.
  • Plasma alanine aminotransferase activity was increased with focal necrosis in hepatic lobules in the transgenic mice later than 24 weeks of age.

Sources:

  • Mochida, S., et al. (2004). Transgenic mice expressing osteopontin in hepatocytes as a model of autoimmune hepatitis. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 317(1), 114-120.
  • Health & Medicine Week editors (2004, June 21). Mice made to express liver cell osteopontin model human autoimmune hepatitis. NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net.