Interferon gamma promotes chemically induced apoptosis in primary hepatocytes by inducing p53 accumulation

Interferon gamma has been implicated in different inflammatory processes within the liver. Besides its well studied role in the regulation of the immune response little is known so far about the direct effects of interferon gamma on hepatocytes. The aim of the study was, therefore, to see whether interferon gamma has any effects on survival or proliferation of primary mouse hepatocytes. We found that stimulation of hepatocytes resulted in an activation of Stat–1 signaling indicating a functional interferon-gamma receptor on hepatocytes. Nevertheless, survival or proliferation was unaltered. However, interferon g…