[Expression of IL-2 and TNF-alpha in the liver and the effect of injection of these cytokines on liver fibrosis in mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum].
OBJECTIVE
To detect the expression of IL-2 and TNF-alpha in the liver at different period postinfection of Schistosoma japonicum and their effect on liver fibrosis after supplementary injection of these cytokines.


METHODS
Mice were infected with schistosome cercariae and divided into 3 groups. Two groups were injected (i.p.) every other day with IL-2 and TNF-alpha respectively for consecutive 4 wk. The third group and an uninfected group of normal mice were regarded as control. The ABC immunohistochemistry and pathologic image multimedia quantification system were applied to detect activity of IL-2 and TNF-alpha.


RESULTS
The level of IL-2 and TNF-alpha in the liver in infected but untreated group slowly decreased (from 8, 11, 14 to 18 wk). The supplementary injection of the cytokines at 6 wk postinfection in the two groups increased the cytokines significantly, the level of IL-2 or TNF-alpha was higher at 1-8 wk after the last injection than that of both infected and uninfected control groups (P < 0.01). The granulomatous inflammation and fibrosis in the livers of the two groups were slighter than that of the control.


CONCLUSIONS
At the 6th wk postinfection with egg deposition, exogenous supplementation with TNF-alpha or IL-2 induces enhanced expression of the two kinds of cytokines, corresponding to a diminished degree of the liver granulomatous inflammation and fibrosis.
Zeng
Ling-lan
LL
Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022.
Luo
Duan-de
DD
Li
Shu-li
SL
Liu
Wei
W
He
Yong-wen
YW
D000818:Animals; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008106:Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D012554:Schistosomiasis japonica / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology
D007376:Interleukin-2; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha