385 MOLECULAR STAGES OF PDGFB DRIVEN LIVER FIBROSIS: LESONS FROM A TRANSGENIC MOUSE MODEL

underlying pathomechanisms is hampered by the lack of a suitable animal model. To circumvent this problem, we studied hepcidinknockout (KO) mice as a model of iron-overload associated liver disease. Methods: 6 and 12 month-old hepcidin-KO and -wild type (WT) mice fed 3% iron carbonyl-containing diet (Fe-diet) since four weeks of age were compared to age-matched WT and KO animals kept on standard diet. The liver phenotype was quantified serologically as well as morphometrically based on hematoxylin & eosin, Prussian blue and Sirius red stainings. Liver iron content was determined by atomic mass absorption. Liver fibrosis development was determined by collagen RT-PCR and hydroxyproline assay.…