Features of DBA-g+ and DBA mice.

(A) Expression of Gpnmb is observed in DBA-g+ but not DBA mice following a single injection of CCl₄. However, (B) sequential changes in serum ALT levels and the degree of liver injury are not affected by the lack of Gpnmb-positive macrophages (original magnification, x100). Conversely, (C) the areas of fibrosis and (D) the number of α-SMA-positive cells are significantly decreased in the liver tissues of DBA mice compared to DBA-g+ mice (original magnification, x200). Additionally, (E) although lack of Gpnmb-positive macrophages does not affect expression of TGF-β or Col1α1, expression of MMP-9, MMP-13, and TIMP-1 are significantly decreased in mice lacking Gpnmb expression at six or eight days after single injection of CCl₄. Values are mean ± SEM (n = 4). * P < 0.05 (Mann-Whitney U test).