title: Effects of Kupffer cell-depletion on Concanavalin A-induced hepatitis.
abstract: TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-4, and MIP-2 are known to be involved in Con A-induced hepatitis. Although Kupffer cells are reportedly involved in TNF-alpha production, it is largely unknown whether or not Kupffer cells also play a role in the production of other cytokines, such as IFN-gamma, IL-4, and MIP-2. In this study we examined the liver injury and the levels of plasma cytokines, including above four cytokines, KC, and IL-10 in Kupffer cell-depleted mice obtained through administration of liposome-encapsulated dichloromethylene bisphosphonate. The liver injury was significantly suppressed in Kupffer cell-depleted mice, as assessed as to the plasma ALT level and histochemistry. The cytokine levels were also significantly suppressed in such mice except for those of IFN-gamma, which was slightly suppressed at 12h, and IL-10, which was not significantly suppressed at any time. Apoptosis was also significantly suppressed in such mice, as found immunohistochemically with anti-ssDNA Ab. Taken together, these results suggest that Kupffer cells are involved in the production of MIP-2, KC, IL-4, and TNF-alpha in Con A-induced hepatitis, thereby contributing to the liver injury either directly or indirectly.
authors: Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Biomolecular Science, Faculty of Science, Toho University, Funabashi, Chiba 274-8510, Japan.
authors: Masayo
authors: M
authors: Hatano
authors: Soichiro
authors: S
authors: Sasaki
authors: Shinsuke
authors: S
authors: Ohata
authors: Yoshiko
authors: Y
authors: Shiratsuchi
authors: Takahiro
authors: T
authors: Yamazaki
authors: Kisaburo
authors: K
authors: Nagata
authors: Yoshiro
authors: Y
authors: Kobayashi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D004002:Clodronic Acid / Q000633:toxicity; D003208:Concanavalin A; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007728:Kupffer Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D008081:Liposomes; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D008081:Liposomes; D004002:Clodronic Acid; D003208:Concanavalin A