Sialadenitis histologically resembling Sjögren syndrome in mice transgenic for hepatitis C virus envelope genes

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV), a major causative agent of non-A, non-B chronic hepatitis, is also suggested to be associated with extrahepatic manifestations such as mixed cryoglobulinemia and glomerulonephritis. Two independent lines of transgenic mice carrying the HCV envelope genes have been shown previously to express the HCV envelope proteins in organs, including the liver and salivary glands, which results in no pathological changes in the liver. Further analysis of these animals now has revealed that they develop an exocrinopathy involving the salivary and lachrymal glands. This pathology resembles Sjögren syndrome, which also is suggested to have a possible association with chronic hepatitis C. These observations suggest that HCV might be involved in the pathogenesis of sialadenitis in humans and that this transgenic mouse system would be a good animal model for the study of HCV infection.

Hepatitis C virus, non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and hepatocellular carcinoma

“…Lymphoid hyperplasia is often found in liver biopsies from HCV-infected individuals (Monteverde et al, 1995). Experimental and clinical studies have also demonstrated HCV tropism for salivary epithelial cells in both chronic inflammatory and NHL salivary lesions (De Vita et al, 1995;Koike et al, 1997). Furthermore, it has been suggested that HCV infection may be involved, in addition to Helicobacter pylori, in gastric lymphoproliferation, although findings on HCV infection in mucosa-associated lymph tissue (MALT) lymphomas of the stomach have not been consistent (Luppi et al, 1996;Pioltelli et al, 1996;De Vita et al, 1997;Silvestri et al, 1997).…”

Hepatitis Virus and Extrahepatic Manifestations. Skin, Mucosa, Muscle, and Hematopoietic Organs.

“…Using HCVtransgenic mice, Koike et al (44) reported the expression of sialadenitis in SS, and confirmed the development of sialadenitis in both the lachrymal and salivary glands of transgenic mice with HCVenvelop protein expression although histological changes were not observed in the liver. In their study, the incidence of sialadenitis was 84.…”

Hepatitis C virus enhances incidence of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

“…However, there might be possibility of showing low sensitivities due to use the formalin-fixed tissue. On the other hand, Koike et al [29] reported that transgenic mice carrying the HCV envelope gene revealed an exocrinopathy resembling Sjogren syndrome. Similar to this, HCV might directly cause IPF.…”