Transgenic mice aberrantly expressing pyruvate dehydrogenase complex E2 component on biliary epithelial cells do not show primary biliary cirrhosis

Summary Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is an autoimmune disorder that specifically destroys biliary epithelial cells (BECs). In patients with PBC, the immunodominant pyruvate dehydrogenase complex E2 component (PDC‐E2), identified as an antigen for disease‐specific anti‐mitochondrial antibody, is expressed aberrantly in the BEC cytoplasm. The present study focused on the pathophysiological role of aberrant PDC‐E2 in the development of PBC. The BEC‐specific cytokeratin‐19 promoter and PDC‐E2 gene were cloned from a mouse cDNA library. The constructed transgene was microinjected into fertilized eggs of mice, and the offspring were identified by Southern blotting and reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction. The protein expression was confirmed by immunoprecipitation, immunoblotting and immunohistochemical staining. Five founder lines were identified as carrying the PDC‐E2 gene, and one of these lines expressed PDC‐E2 mRNA. The protein expression of exogenous PDC‐E2 was detected in the liver. The transgenic mouse line showed diffuse expression of PDC‐E2 in the BEC cytoplasm. Biochemical, serological and histological features of PBC were not detected. We established transgenic mice that constitutively express PDC‐E2. The results indicated that aberrant PDC‐E2 expression in the cytoplasm of BECs is not sufficient for the initiation of autoimmunity. Additional factors may be required to establish a model of PBC.