Abstract
The effects of concanavalin A (Con A) on liver cytokine gene expression was studied in mice. The CD4 mRNA expression in normal liver suggests the presence of CD4+ T cells. The administration of Con A induced interleukin (IL) 1β, IL-2 and IL-2 receptor mRNAs, which implies lymphocyte activation in the liver. Interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α mRNA expressions were increased gradually. The present results showed that Con A induced liver cytokine genes. This cytokine gene induction might have been the result of lymphocyte activation in the liver.
