[Expression of neural cell adhesion molecule in murine livers with experimental autoimmune hepatitis].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) in murine livers with experimental autoimmune hepatitis (EAH) and its relationship with histological grades.


METHODS
To induce the EAH model, the syngeneic S-100 antigen emulsified in complete Freud's adjuvant was injected intraperitoneally to C57Bl/6 at day 1 and day 7. The mice were sacrificed at day 7, 14, and 21 after the first immunization. The expression of NCAM was observed using histoimmunochemistry and RT-PCR.


RESULTS
The expression of NCAM increased gradually with aggravation of lymphocyte infiltration and hepatocyte injury. The administration of prednisolone decreased the histological grade, and inhibited the expression of NCAM. There was a correlation between the expression of NCAM and histological grade (r=0.71, P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
NCAM provides a traffic signal for infiltration of lymphocytes in the liver, hence induces the injury of hepatocytes.
Ma
X
X
Shanghai Institute of Digestive Diseases, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai 200001,China.
Qiu
D
D
Peng
Y
Y
Chen
X
X
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015870:Gene Expression; D019693:Hepatitis, Autoimmune / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D019006:Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis
D019006:Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules; D012333:RNA, Messenger