Original Article
Copyright ©2010 Baishideng. All rights reserved
World J Gastroenterol. Aug 14, 2010; 16(30): 3827-3833
Published online Aug 14, 2010. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i30.3827
Decreased IgA+ plasma cells and IgA expression in acute liver necrosis mice
Jin-Long Fu, Zhao-Han Wang, Guo-Zhen Li, Yu-Rong Wang, Pei Liu
Jin-Long Fu, Zhao-Han Wang, Guo-Zhen Li, Yu-Rong Wang, Pei Liu, Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning Province, China
Author contributions: Fu JL and Liu P contributed equally to this work; Liu P and Fu JL designed the research; Fu JL and Wang ZH performed the research; Li GZ and Fu JL analyzed the data; Fu JL and Wang YR wrote the paper.
Supported by National Science Foundation of China, Grant No. 30670947; and National Ministry of Health, China, Grant No. 97100252
Correspondence to: Pei Liu, Professor, Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, No. 155 Nanjing Street, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning Province, China. syliupei2003@yahoo.com.cn
Telephone: +86-24-83283091 Fax: +86-24-22703576
Received: March 4, 2010
Revised: April 23, 2010
Accepted: April 30, 2010
Published online: August 14, 2010
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the number of intestinal immunoglobulin A (IgA+) plasma cells and expression of intestinal IgA in mice with acute liver necrosis.

METHODS: A model of acute liver necrosis was established by intraperitoneal injection of galactosamine (GalN) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Sixty mice were randomly divided into one of 4 equal groups: normal control, acute liver necrosis, LPS, or GalN. Hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemistry, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were employed to assess liver and intestinal injury, count intestinal IgA+ plasma cells, and measure the expression level of IgA and interferon γ (IFN-γ) in the small intestinal mucosa of mice.

RESULTS: Injured intestinal mucosa was observed in the acute liver necrosis group but not in the normal, LPS or GalN groups. Compared with the normal group, intestinal IgA+ plasma cells were slightly decreased in the LPS and GalN groups [429 ± 20 per high power field (HPF), 406 ± 18/HPF, respectively], whereas they were markedly decreased in the acute liver necrosis group (282 ± 17/HPF vs 495 ± 26/HPF in normal group, P < 0.05). The expression of intestinal IgA was also slightly decreased in LPS and GalN groups, but was markedly reduced in the acute liver necrosis group as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (P < 0.05). In contrast, the level of IFN-γ was slightly increased in LPS, GalN and acute liver necrosis groups, but with no statistical significance (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Intestinal IgA+ plasma cells and IgA expression levels indicating that mucosal immune barrier dysfunction, does exist in acute liver necrosis.

Keywords: Acute liver necrosis; Intestinal mucosa; Immunity; Immunoglobulin A