Abstract: Objective   To investigate the effects of knockdown splicing factor Prp17 on liver morphology and liver function in mice.    Methods   The knockdown splicing factor Prp17 adenovirus (Ad-shPrp17) was constructed. C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a control group and an Ad-shPrp17 group with 8 mice in each group. The Ad-shPrp17 group was injected with Ad-shPrp17 through medial canthus vein. After 10 days, mouse serum and liver tissue were collected. Pathological changes of liver were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The activities of serum aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) were determined by enzyme method. Gene expression was analyzed by fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction.   Results   Compared with the control group, the Ad-shPrp17 group had the following changes: (1) Liver index and the quality of liver  significantly increased (P<0.01); (2) with scattered and swollen hepatocytes, loose cytoplasm, the liver cells changed from polygonal to round. The cytoplasm was transparent and ballooning changed, and some cells were necrotic; (3) The enzyme activities of serum ALT and AST were significantly increased (P<0.01); (4) The expression of liver tissue TNF-α and IL1-β increased (P<0.05).    Conclusions    Knockdown of splicing factor Prp17 could cause pathological changes and function damage in the liver tissue of mice, and its mechanism may be related to the induction of hepatic inflammatory response. This study provides a new therapeutic target and theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of liver diseases.

Key words: Splicing factor;　 Prp17, 　Liver morphology, 　Liver function, 　Inflammation