Schistosoma mansoni: egg-induced downregulation of hepatic stellate cell activation and fibrogenesis.
Exp Parasitol
; 124(4): 409-20, 2010 Apr.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-20045695
ABSTRACT
Eggs of Schistosoma mansoni trapped in human liver can lead to fibrosis. Since liver fibrosis requires activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) from a quiescent to a myofibroblastic phenotype, we investigated the effects of S. mansoni eggs on this process using in vitro co-cultures with human HSC and evaluated established biomarkers for activation and fibrosis. HSC demonstrate significantly reduced expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (p<0.001), connective tissue growth factor (p<0.01) and type I collagen (p<0.001) but significantly increased expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (p<0.01). Morphologically, HSC exhibited elongated fine cellular processes and reduced size, increased accumulation of lipid droplets and reduced expression and organization of alpha-smooth muscle actin and F-actin stress fibres. Additionally, schistosome eggs prevented the HSC fibrogenic response to exogenous transforming growth factor-beta. In summary, schistosome eggs blocked fibrogenesis in HSC, a finding which may have implications for our understanding of the fibrotic pathology in S. mansoni infections.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Schistosoma mansoni
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Esquistossomose mansoni
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Células Estreladas do Fígado
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Fígado
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Cirrose Hepática
Limite:
Animals
/
Humans
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Male
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2010
Tipo de documento:
Article