One and two QTL genome scans for liver fibrosis in inbred mice

Aims: Recently we identified genetic loci that determine susceptibility to liver fibrosis in experimental crosses between fibrosis-susceptible and resistant inbred strains of mice (Hillebrandt et al. Gastroenterology 2002;123: 2041–2051 and Nat Genet 2005;37: 835–43). For these analyses, we modelled the effects of single QTLs only. Our aim now was to assess the effects of gender and multiple (additive or interacting) QTLs on liver fibrosis. Methods: We intercrossed F1 hybrids of the fibrosis-susceptible strain BALB/cJ and the resistant strain FVB/NJ and generated 294 F2 progeny. To induce liver fibrosis, we chal…