Autoimmune pancreatitis in MRL/Mp mice is a T cell-mediated disease responsive to cyclosporine A and rapamycin treatment

Background

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) in humans invariably responds to steroid treatment, but little is known about the underlying pathogenesis and the benefits of alternative treatments.

Objective

To study the pathogenesis, and the efficacy of alternative immunosuppressant agents in the MRL/Mp mouse model of AIP.

Design

MRL/Mp mice were pretreated for 4 weeks with polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid to induce AIP....