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.
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.
Mariana M
MM
Braz
Fernando S
FS
Ramalho
Rafaela L
RL
Cardoso
Sérgio
S
Zucoloto
Roberto S
RS
Costa
Leandra N Z
LN
Ramalho
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