Obstruction of extrahepatic bile ducts by lymphocytes is regulated by IFN-γ in experimental biliary atresia
J. Clin. Invest. Pranavkumar Shivakumar, et al. 114:322 doi:10.1172/JCI21153 [Go to this article.]

Figure 5
Loss of IFN-γ prevents obstruction of extrahepatic bile ducts. Anatomical view of the hilum (A–D) of WT Balb/c mice displayed small, edematous gallbladders (*) at 7 and 14 days after RRV challenge, with long- (7 days) or short- (14 days) segment atresia of extrahepatic bile ducts (thin arrows). In contrast, IFN-γ^–/– mice displayed gallbladders distended with bile (**) and unobstructed bile ducts (thick arrows). Arrowheads point to arterial vessels that follow extrahepatic bile ducts. Microscopically (E–H), bile ducts of WT Balb/c mice demonstrated lumenal obstruction by inflammatory cells (7 days) and extracellular matrix (14 days). In IFN-γ^–/– mice, extrahepatic bile ducts had periductal inflammation and mild epithelial injury, but the lumen remained patent and without accumulation of matrix substrates at 7–14 days. Sections were stained with H&E; magnification, ×200; arrows in (E) and (G) denote obstructed bile ducts.