Figure 1. Hepatic damage and inflammation in Shp2^hep−/− mice.

(A) Circulating blood levels of AST and ALT were quantified in control or Shp2^hep−/− mice at indicated ages; n = 4–8, * p<0.05; ** p<0.01 for WT versus Shp2^hep−/−.

(B) Gross appearance of the right lobe of a Shp2^hep−/− liver showing pale acellular regions.

(C) H&E staining of a Shp2^hep−/− liver section showed inflammation and macroscopic necrosis.

(D) H&E staining showed a small necrotic area surrounded and infiltrated by inflammatory cells in Shp2^hep−/− liver section. In D–H, Arrows indicate portal triads and diamond arrow shows central vein.

(E) A necrosis area was surrounded by inflammatory infiltrates in H&E stained Shp2^hep−/− liver section.

(F) H&E staining showed severe inflammatory infiltrates in Shp2^hep−/− liver.

(G–H) Trichrome staining showed low and high levels of collagen secret surrounding the portal triad of control (G) and Shp2^hep−/− (H) liver sections, respectively.

(I) Circulating blood levels of inflammatory cytokines were quantified at 2–3 months of age (n = 7–18, * p<0.05).

(J) Hepatic gene expression of IL-6, TNF, Bcl-xl and HGF was assessed by qRT-PCR of total mRNAs isolated from 2–3-month-old mouse livers. The results were average of 3 mice, and absolute mRNA values were determined and normalized to cyclophilin.

See also Figure S1.