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

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.94.1.233
• Publication Date: 2002-07-26T14:43:20Z
• Authors: Kazuhiko Koike; Kyoji Moriya; Kotaro Ishibashi; Hiroshi Yotsuyanagi; Yoshizumi Shintani; Hajime Fujie; Kiyoshi Kurokawa; Yoshiharu Matsuura; Tatsuo Miyamura
• Keywords: Sialadenitis; Pathogenesis; Hepatitis C

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 transgenic mice carrying the HCV envelope genes have been shown previously express proteins in organs, including liver salivary glands, which results no pathological changes liver. Further analysis these animals now has revealed that they develop an exocrinopathy involving lachrymal glands. This pathology resembles Sjögren syndrome, possible association hepatitis C. These observations suggest might involved pathogenesis sialadenitis humans this mouse system would good animal model for study infection.