Hepatic fibrosis in the CYP2D6 mouse model for autoimmune hepatitis

Development of fibrosis is one of the defining parameters of autoimmune hepatitis. Only little is known about the mechanisms involved in the development of fibrosis during this severe human autoimmune disease. We used the virus-induced CYP2D6 mouse model to investigate the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and the kinetics of fibrosis in comparison with the well established carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced fibrosis model. In the CYP2D6 model mice are infected with an Adenovirus vector expressing the human CYP2D6 (Ad-2D6), which results in the breakdown of tolerance to the mouse CYP2D6 homologues. Sub…