Fig. 7.

P2X7 genetic deletion reduces the number of inflammatory cells in the liver from septic mice. Representative photomicrographs of hepatic parenchyma of WT and P2X7^−/− mice before (a and b, respectively) and 24 after surgery (c and f WT; and d and g P2X7^−/−). c Liver parenchyma from CLP WT mice showing numerous inflammatory cells inside the sinusoids (arrows). d Less number of inflammatory cells in liver parenchyma of CLP P2X7^−/− mice. e Quantitative analysis of the number of inflammatory cells per field in the liver parenchyma. Representative images of hepatocyte alterations in WT (f) and P2X7^−/− (g) septic mice. Blue arrows indicate steatosis in hepatocytes, and blue stars indicate swelling/ballooning. h Liver injury score. The asterisk represents statistical difference (*p < 0.05) when compared to sham groups with their respective CLP group, while the number sign represents statistical difference (#p < 0.05) when compared to CLP groups (WT CLP vs. P2X7^−/− CLP). Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and they are expressed as mean ± S.E.M. (n ≥ 5 animals per group). Twenty fields were analyzed by histological section for WT and P2X7^−/− animals. Scale bar = 100 μm