title: Dynamics of Sept4 expression in fibrotic livers of mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum.
abstract: n order to investigate the dynamics of Septin4 (Sept4) expression and its function in the formation of fibrotic livers in mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum, we constructed the mouse model of S. japonicum egg-induced liver fibrosis for 24 weeks. Immunohistochemical staining, qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of Sept4 and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). We found Sept4 localized in the perisinusoidal space where hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) distribute in the periphery of circumoval granulomas and the portal venule. The expression of Sept4 and α-SMA had a similar significant tendency of an up-regulation to a peak at 12 weeks post-infection (p.i.) followed by a down-regulation. At 24 weeks p.i. both were at a low level. These results suggest that Sept4 and α-SMA may interact together in HSCs. Based on this evidence, we hypothesize that Sept4 seems to be involved in the formation of inflammatory granulomata and subsequent liver fibrosis by regulating HSCs activation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Microbiology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, 226001, People's Republic of China. yinongduan@Gmail.com
authors.forename: Y N
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Duan
authors.forename: H Y
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.forename: Y W
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: X X
authors.initials: XX
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Y N
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bao
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015536:Down-Regulation; D055166:Hepatic Stellate Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000469:parasitology; D008099:Liver / Q000469:parasitology; D008106:Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental / Q000469:parasitology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D011897:Random Allocation; D012549:Schistosoma japonicum / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012554:Schistosomiasis japonica / Q000469:parasitology*; D058112:Septins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C544013:alpha-smooth muscle actin, mouse; C115474:Sept4 protein, mouse; D058112:Septins