Hepatitis C Virus-Related Lymphomagenesis in a Mouse Model

Figure 2

(a) The structure of the HCV transgene (core-NS2); gene expression was regulated by the Cre/loxP expression cassette. (b) and (c) Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and core protein expression ELISA system in hepatocytes from CN2-8 (b) and irf-1^−/− CN2-8 (c) mice after administration of AxCANCre (𝑛=225 for irf-1^−/−, 𝑛=75 for irf-1^−/− CN2-29, 𝑛=150 for irf-1^−/− CN2-8, 𝑛=225 for wild type, 𝑛=75 for CN2-29, and 𝑛=150 for CN2-8; total 𝑛=900). (d) HCV protein expression enhanced hyperplasia in male and female CN2 and irf-1^−/− CN2 mice. The occurrence of hyperplasia was monitored every 7 days for 600 days after administration of AxCANCre. (e) Histological analysis of spontaneous proliferative disturbances in CN2 transgenic mice. Of the 900 mice injected with AxCANCre, 25 of 75 (33%) CN2-29, 47 of 150 (31%) CN2-8, 29 of 75 (39%) irf-1^−/− CN2-29, and 62 of 150 (41%) irf-1^−/− CN2-8 mice developed proliferative disturbances.

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