Primary biliary cirrhosis, similar to that in human beings, in a male C57BL/6 mouse infected with Helicobacter pylori

Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2008 Oct;20(10):1045-8. doi: 10.1097/MEG.0b013e3282f5e9db.

Abstract

We report a case of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) that occurred in a 24-month-old male C57BL/6 mouse infected with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Microscopically, the portal tract in the liver showed nonsuppurative destructive cholangitis with variable cytologic distortion of the epithelial cells and peribiliary lymphoplasmacytic infiltration. Immunohistochemistry using alpha-smooth muscle actin demonstrated fibrous bands associating with the wall of vasculature. The level of serum antivacuolating toxin IgG in this mouse showed the highest value (optical density=2.1470) of the H. pylori-infected group (n=13) (optical density=1.7168+/-0.1759, mean+/-SD). Spontaneously developed PBC-like lesions in C57BL/6 mice have been reported by several authors. However, this case strikingly resembles human PBC with its characterized histological features. Therefore, we propose that the increase in vacuolating toxin caused by H. pylori infection may be related to the development of PBC by molecular mimicry.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / analysis
  • Animals
  • Bacterial Proteins / blood
  • Helicobacter Infections / blood
  • Helicobacter Infections / complications*
  • Helicobacter Infections / pathology
  • Helicobacter pylori*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / blood
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / microbiology*
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / pathology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms

Substances

  • Actins
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • VacA protein, Helicobacter pylori