Role of mononuclear infiltrating cells in pathogenesis of hepatitis.

Mice that have been injected with Corynebacterium parvum have mononuclear-cell infiltrates in the liver lobules. In such mice a small dose of lipopolysaccharide endotoxin produced a lethal hepatitis, with high serum-transaminase concentrations, glycogen depletion, and hypoglycaemia. It is suggested that lipopolysaccharide triggers the release from the infiltrating mononuclear cells of factors toxic for hepatocytes. Similarly certain parasitic and virus infections and graft-versus-host reactions can sensitise mice to the induction of hepatitis by exposure to small doses of lipopolysaccharide. This model may be applicable to human hepatitis.