Fig. 1.

Irf2 deficiency induces sensitivity to poly(I:C) and pancreatitis. (A) Survival curve after pIC challenge. WT and Irf2-deficient (Irf2^−/−) mice were induced by i.p. pIC challenge (250 μg). All of the Irf2^−/− mice were deceased within a week, compared with WT mice. (B) Following pIC stimulation, many cells were TUNEL-positive, indicating apoptosis and severe acute pancreatitis in Irf2^−/− mice. (C and D) Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining (C) and electron microscopic observation (D) were done to examine the pancreas histologically in WT, Irf2^−/−, and double KO mice (Irf2^−/−Ifnar1^−/−, Irf2^−/−Irf1^−/−, and Irf2^−/−Trif^−/−). (E) To assess pancreatitis, we monitored serum amylase levels with (+) and without (−) pIC challenge.