Interferon gamma/STAT1 signalling prevents hepatocarcinogenesis by sensitizing for p53-induced apoptosis in response to DNA-damage

Interferon gamma [IFNgamma] has been implicated in acute and chonic inflammation in the liver. Indeed, IFNgamm-transgenic mice exhibit chronic hepatitis, liver injury and regeneration. Such state of chronic regeneration under inflammatory stress is believed to be a major risk factor for the development of liver cancer. However, we previously found that overexpression of IFN gamma in the liver protected IFNgamma-transgenic mice from chemically induced hepatocarinogenesis. despite chronic hepatitis. This tumour-suppressive activity of IFNgamma was independent of a functional T-cell response. Here, we investigated…