The Proinflammatory Cytokines IL-18, IL-21, and IFN-γ Differentially Regulate Liver Inflammation and Anti-Mitochondrial Antibody Level in a Murine Model of Primary Biliary Cholangitis

Figure 2

Expression of IL-18, IL-21, and IFN-γ was upregulated in p40^-/-IL-2Ra^-/- mice. (a) Heat map showing genes contained in the IL-18 pathway; quantitative real-time PCR analysis for IL-18 mRNA levels in p40^-/-IL-2Ra^-/- () and p40^-/-IL-2Ra^+/- () mice and serum IL-18 levels in p40^-/-IL-2Ra^-/- () and p40^-/-IL-2Ra^+/- () mice. (b) Heat map showing genes involved in the IL-21 signaling pathway; quantitative real-time PCR analysis for IL-21 mRNA levels in p40^-/-IL-2Ra^-/- () and p40^-/-IL-2Ra^+/- () mice and serum IL-21 levels in p40^-/-IL-2Ra^-/- () and p40^-/-IL-2Ra^+/- () mice. (c) Heat map showing genes involved in the IFN-γ signaling pathway; quantitative real-time PCR analysis for IFN-γ mRNA levels in p40^-/-IL-2Ra^-/- () and p40^-/-IL-2Ra^+/- () mice and serum IFN-γ levels in p40^-/-IL-2Ra^-/- () and p40^-/-IL-2Ra^+/- () mice. . Abbreviations: u.d.: undetected.

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