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.