Transgenic Overexpression of Tcfap2c/AP-2gamma Results in Liver Failure and Intestinal Dysplasia Generation and Analysis of Tcfap2c-Inducible Mice
2011

Effects of Tcfap2c on Liver and Intestinal Development in Mice

Sample size: 9 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Holl Daniel, Kuckenberg Peter, Woynecki Tatiana, Egert Angela, Becker Astrid, Huss Sebastian, Stabenow Dirk, Zimmer Andreas, Knolle Percy, Tolba René, Fischer Hans-Peter, Schorle Hubert

Primary Institution: University of Bonn Medical School

Hypothesis

What are the physiological consequences of Tcfap2c expression in liver and intestine?

Conclusion

Ectopic expression of Tcfap2c leads to liver failure and intestinal dysplasia in mice.

Supporting Evidence

  • Transgenic mice with Tcfap2c expression showed rapid mortality within 3-7 days.
  • Induction of Tcfap2c led to increased liver enzymes indicative of hepatic failure.
  • Histological analysis revealed microvesicular steatosis in hepatocytes.
  • Tcfap2c expression resulted in expansion of Sox9 positive progenitor cells in the intestine.
  • Gene expression analysis identified 447 common genes deregulated in liver and hepatocyte cultures.

Takeaway

When scientists turned on a gene called Tcfap2c in mice, it made their livers sick and caused problems in their intestines.

Methodology

The study used a gain of function model with doxycycline-inducible Tcfap2c transgenic mice to analyze the effects of Tcfap2c expression.

Limitations

The rapid lethality of the mice limited the ability to observe long-term effects of Tcfap2c expression.

Participant Demographics

Adult C57BL/6J x 129/Sv mice aged 8-16 weeks were used.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.0001

Statistical Significance

p<0.0001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0022034

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