Strain Detail: LECT2-KO (BALB/cAJcl) mice

Leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin 2 (LECT2) is a cytokine found as neutrophil chemotactic factor and a 16 kDa protein specifically expressing in liver parenchymal cells. It's considered that LECT2 is related to various disease such as hepatic dysfunction or rheumatoid arthritis. Two lines of LECT2 KO mice to have different gene background, BALB/cAJcl or C57BL/6JJcl, are available. In the reference, it's suggested that IL-4 overproduction of LECT2 KO mice affected with con A-induced hepatitis is caused by increase of NKT cells and it causes of severe hepatic dysfunction. It's also considered that LECT2 suppresses the homeostasis of NKT cells in the liver because of specifically NKT cells increase in the liver.

1. Saito T, Okumura A, Watanabe H, Asano M, Ishida-Okawara A, Sakagami J, Sudo K, Hatano-Yokoe Y, Bezbradica JS, Joyce S, Abo T, Iwakura Y, Suzuki K, and Yamagoe S. (2004) Increase in hepatic NKT cells in leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin 2-deficient mice contributes to severe concanavalin A-induced hepatitis. J Immunol 173(1):579-85. [PMID:15210819]