[Dynamic changes in the expression of type VI collagen in mice with schistosomal liver fibrosis].
OBJECTIVE
To clarify the dynamic changes in type VI procollagen mRNA expression and collagen content in mice with schistosomal liver fibrosis.


METHODS
Northern blot hybridization and immunohistochemical technique.


RESULTS
The expression of alpha 1(VI) procollagen mRNA measured by Northern blot hybridization in the liver of schistosome infected mice was elevated significantly at 8 wk post infection, peaked at 10 wk pi, slightly decreased at 12-16 wk pi, and sustained at high levels until 20 wk pi. Immunohistochemical assay revealed that the staining pattern of type VI collagen first appeared in the walls of central veins and liver sinusoids at 8 wk pi, then extended gradually to the egg granuloma and the portal tract, within and surrounding the egg granuloma to form dense reticular septum at the 12, 16 and 20 wk pi, respectively. The VI collagen content as indicated by the intensity of stain peaked at 16 wk pi.


CONCLUSIONS
Both the expression of alpha 1(VI) procollagen and the content of collagen VI were significantly increased in the liver of mice with early schistosomal fibrosis, suggesting that the type VI collagen detection might be of importance for evaluating the intensity of schistosomal liver fibrosis.
Shi
G
G
Research Center of Tropical Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical University, Shanghai 200040.
Xu
Z
Z
Weng
X
X
Zhu
Y
Y
Ma
J
J
D000818:Animals; D024142:Collagen Type VI / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015870:Gene Expression; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D024142:Collagen Type VI