Liver tumors develop predominantly in HCV+PML- mice.

<p>Macroscopic inspection and HE staining of livers of all analysed mice revealed a spectrum of findings ranging from a macroscopically unremarkable (untreated) to a strongly nodular structure (PML-deficient with HCV-Tg) at the age of 7 months (A). Macroscopic analysis of all 4 DEN/PB-treated mouse strains as indicated, with 15 mice in every group. PML-deficient mice are more susceptible towards carcinogenic stimuli and develop dysplastic nodules evolving to carcinomas after 7 months. Tumorous lesions were macroscopically analysed and quantitatively evaluated as lesions <3 mm in (B) and >3 mm in (C). Relative tumor mass was calculated as number of lesions in relation to average size of lesions and liver mass (D). The data displayed in (B), (C) and (D) refer to the mice which displayed lesions. The number of mice displaying lesions <i>pro rata</i> 15 mice in every group is given as percentage of the livers showing at least one dysplatic focus or HCC in (E).