Slight activation of nuclear factor kappa-B is associated with increased hepatic stellate cell apoptosis in human schistosomal fibrosis.
To investigate the relationship between NF-kappaB activation and hepatic stellate cell (HSC) apoptosis in hepatosplenic schistosomiasis, hepatic biopsies from patients with Schistosoma mansoni-induced periportal fibrosis, hepatitis C virus-induced cirrhosis, and normal liver were submitted to alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and NF-kappaB p65 immunohistochemistry, as well as to NF-kappaB Southwestern histochemistry and TUNEL assay. The numbers of alpha-SMA-positive cells and NF-kappaB- and NF-kappaB p65-positive HSC nuclei were reduced in schistosomal fibrosis relative to liver cirrhosis. In addition, increased HSC NF-kappaB p65 and TUNEL labeling was observed in schistosomiasis when compared to cirrhosis.These results suggest a possible relationship between the slight activation of the NF-kappaB complex and the increase of apoptotic HSC number in schistosome-induced fibrosis, taking place to a reduced HSC number in schistosomiasis in relation to liver cirrhosis. Therefore, the NF-kappaB pathway may constitute an important down-regulatory mechanism in the pathogenesis of human schistosomiasis mansoni, although further studies are needed to refine the understanding of this process.
Braz
Mariana M
MM
Department of Pathology and Legal Medicine of Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av Bandeirantes, 3900, 14049-900 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
Ramalho
Fernando S
FS
Cardoso
Rafaela L
RL
Zucoloto
Sérgio
S
Costa
Roberto S
RS
Ramalho
Leandra N Z
LN
D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis; D005260:Female; D055166:Hepatic Stellate Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism*; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000150:complications*
D016328:NF-kappa B