Transfer colitis in Rag1-/-- mice enhances hepatic MMP–9 expression

Introduction: Naive T-cell reconstitution into Rag 1-/- mice induces transfer colitis1. Earlier studies showed that 5% of patients with ulcerative colitis are prone to develop primary sclerosing cholangitis resulting in hepatic fibrosis and vice versa2. Based on these studies we characterized the effect of transfer colitis on liver fibrosis and sclerosing cholangitis in Rag 1-/- mice. Methods: In order to evaluate the hepatic damage of T-cell reconstituted Rag 1-/- mice we assessed hydroxyproline in liver tissue and serum GPT level. Markers of liver fibrogenesis such as collagen–1, GFAP, α-SMA, MMP–9, and MMP–13…