[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.