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Induction of Drug-Induced, Autoimmune Hepatitis in BALB/c Mice for the Study of Its Pathogenic Mechanisms
Published on: May 29, 2020
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d-mannose administration improves autoimmune hepatitis by upregulating regulatory T cells
Daisuke Ito1, Hiroyasu Ito2, Takayasu Ideta3
1Department of Gastroenterology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Yanagido, Gifu City 501-1194, Japan.
Cellular Immunology
|April 10, 2022
Summary
D-mannose treatment reduced liver injury in autoimmune hepatitis mouse models. This sugar supplement increased regulatory T cells (Tregs), suppressing liver inflammation and damage.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hepatology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a severe liver disease.
- Current treatments for AIH can have significant side effects.
- D-mannose has shown potential in other autoimmune conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the therapeutic effect of d-mannose on liver injury in murine autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) models.
- To determine if d-mannose influences regulatory T cell (Treg) populations in AIH.
- To assess the impact of d-mannose on inflammatory markers in AIH.
Main Methods:
- Murine models of autoimmune hepatitis were established using concanavalin A (ConA) or α-galactosylceramide (GalCer).
- Mice received d-mannose supplementation in their drinking water.
- Liver injury, inflammatory cytokine expression, and Treg proportions were assessed biochemically and pathologically.
Main Results:
- D-mannose administration significantly ameliorated liver injury in AIH models.
- Treatment with d-mannose led to a significant reduction in inflammatory cytokine expression.
- D-mannose significantly increased the proportion of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in splenocytes and intrahepatic lymphocytes.
Conclusions:
- D-mannose demonstrates a protective effect against liver damage in experimental autoimmune hepatitis.
- The immunomodulatory effects of d-mannose, particularly the expansion of Tregs, contribute to reduced liver inflammation.
- D-mannose represents a potential therapeutic agent for managing autoimmune liver disease.

